As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve, it is important for businesses and organisations to review their approach to the situation, to ensure operational readiness and mitigate any risks to workplace health and safety (WHS).
By now, all employers will already be operationalising their pandemic plan. This should include revising and updating the following:
Policies and procedures around infection control, including how you will prevent and manage an outbreak
Workforce plan and business continuity plan
Regular communications and updates with staff and key stakeholders
Employee support services
Workplaces in the healthcare and aged care sector are under particular strain as staff, patients and clients are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. We are currently seeing a number of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care and heathcare facilities, causing a crisis around workforce planning, not to mention health and safety.
WorkPlacePLUS is available to assist you with pandemic planning, including updating your WHS and infection control policies, and strategic planning, including updating your business continuity plan. For more information, please contact us today.
The following resources are also available to assist aged care and healthcare workplaces in their pandemic planning:
The Department of Health & Human Servies (DHHS) Victoria has updated its COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guideline document on 21st June 2020.
The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) has developed national guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities in Australia. This document Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities was last updated on 12th June 2020.
This document entitled Commonwealth and NSW protocol to help manage a COVID-19 outbreak in a residential aged care facility in NSW was released on 10th July 2020 by The Australian Government Department of Health, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the NSW Ministry of Health.
This document entitled Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units was last updated on 1st July 2020 by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia.
Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Our response to COVID-19
At WorkPlacePLUS, we are committed to providing exceptional HR support services within a safe workplace environment. The health and safety of our clients and team is our highest priority.
For the time being, please be advised that we have asked our consultants, where possible, to seek alternatives to visiting client premises when conducting our support services. In particular, we are asking our team and clients to use email, telephone, and teleconferencing where possible.
In the spirit of co-operation being demonstrated by our people, our clients and the wider community in this time of uncertainty, we will continue to update our approach as information becomes available from the World Health Organization and various Australian Government agencies, and we will notify you of any significant changes to our approach.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.