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15.3 Transmission Of High Risk Communicable Diseases Procedure

Version: 

8.00

Revision Date: 

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 16:44

Access: 

  • Public

Content Access: 

Commercial in Confidence

File Links: 

Safe Work Australia COVID 19 Resources
SWA Covid Safe Posters
Working From Home Procedure

Permanent Link to this page

Proposed Review Date: 

31/01/2024

Related Documents

Related Forms

Blood Borne Infections

Bloodborne infections such as Hepatitis and Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) are part of our everyday life although relatively uncommon.
 

Confidentiality

If a worker infected with any blood-borne infection informs another person of their status, that information is to be held in the strictest confidence unless the worker authorises its release.
 
Workers with any blood-borne infection are entitled to the same rights, benefits and opportunities as workers with any other illness or injury.
 
Equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination and Workplace Health and Safety legislation applies and will be upheld in all instances.
 

Infection Control Procedures

The best way to prevent transmission of infections is to consider all bodily fluids as potentially infectious.

The following basic hygiene procedures are to be implemented following an at-risk incident (eg. skin breakage/injury (with external bleeding) etc.) and prior to providing first aid:

  • put on single-use gloves if not already wearing them
  • prevent bleeding by applying pressure to the wound until it stops, using a dry sterile single-use dressing
  • apply an additional dressing, bandage very firmly if bleeding continues, and call for medical assistance
  • handle both the dressing and the contaminated implement carefully to avoid coming into contact with blood or body fluids/substances from the person being treated or the instrument
  • place contaminated dressings or swabs in a plastic bag (tie-up/seal the bag) before disposing of them in a general waste bin
  • thoroughly wash hands with soap and hot water after treating wounds or handling contaminated dressings, then pat dry with a paper towel
  • discard single-use instruments into a plastic bag (tie-up/seal the bag) and then into a general waste bin
  • document the incident and all actions taken on the Austraffic Intranet (Notify, Injury) or on RM43 Injury Notification Form

Corona Virus (COVID-19)

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most common symptoms: (source https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3)

  • fever
  • cough
  • tiredness
  • loss of taste or smell

Less common symptoms:

  • sore throat
  • headache
  • aches and pains
  • diarrhoea
  • a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
  • red or irritated eyes

Serious symptoms:

  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • loss of speech or mobility, or confusion
  • chest pain

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home and get a COVID test immediately.

You are most infectious in the 2 days before your symptoms start and while you have acute symptoms (such as a runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough).  It is recommended and we encourage all staff (office and field based) to isolate for at least 5 days and until you don’t have symptoms anymore or are RAT negative.  

You may be infectious for up to 10 days.

Some people with COVID-19 do not develop symptoms at all but are still able to infect others.

Please ensure you are familiar with the health recommendations of the State relevant to where you are undertaking workplace/worksite activities at all times.  And DO NOT hesitate to contact your Office or Survey Manager with any questions, concerns or for access to more information. 

We value collaboration in managing a safe workplace for all.  

To protect yourself and your loved ones:

  •     Stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations.
  •     Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and get tested.
  •     Wear a mask in crowded, indoor places.
  •     Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines.
  •     Don't visit people who are at higher risk if you have symptoms or COVID-19.

For more information relevant to your state or territory:

What If I've Been In Contact with Someone who is COVID-19 Positive

People who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are at high risk of becoming infected and therefore, of spreading COVID-19 to other persons they come in contact with.

If you are a "close contact", you must follow your State/Territory health department requirements (see list below). Notify your manager or supervisor immediately if you become a close contact (via telephone or email) - do not approach them (or any other Austraffic employee) in person. Please notify your supervisor/manager of any COVID test results (phone or email) once you receive the result.

For more information on what to do if you are a close contact of someone who tested positive, for the definition of 'close contact' in your State and/or test positive yourself:

If you test positive for COVID-19

To reduce the risk to others Health Services across the states of Australia generally recommend you: 

  1. Stay home until your acute symptoms have gone. If you are at higher risk of severe illness, speak with your doctor as soon as you test positive. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines or other treatments for COVID-19. Antiviral medicines work best when used as soon as symptoms start.
  2. Don’t visit people at high risk of severe illness, anyone in hospital or an aged or disability care facility for at least 7 days.
  3. Wear a mask when indoors and on public transport, if you must leave your home.
  4. Avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places, especially where you will be in contact with groups of people you don’t live with.
  5. Talk to your manager or supervisor about when you should return to the workplace.  
    You should talk to your workplace about working from home, where possible. If you work in a high-risk setting such as health, disability and aged care, it is recommended that you stay away from the workplace for at least 7 days and until you have no symptoms to help protect other staff, patients, residents, and clients.  If your employer needs you to return to the workplace before this time, they may ask you to take additional steps to protect others, subject to their work, health and safety assessment.
  6. Tell people that you live with, or spend a lot of time with, that you have COVID-19.
    People you live with or spend a lot of time indoors with are at greatest risk of catching COVID-19 from you. You should tell them you have tested positive and try to separate from them as much as possible. They should test regularly and monitor for symptoms. If they get sick, they should get tested and stay home. They should follow the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 fact sheet.

Some people with COVID-19 do not develop symptoms at all but are still able to infect others.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The main way COVID-19 spreads is when a person with COVID-19 exhales droplets and/or aerosol particles containing the virus. This can happen when they breathe out, cough, sneeze, speak, shout or sing.

Exhaled droplets range in size. Large droplets settle out of the air faster than they evaporate. Small droplets remain suspended in the air for longer periods. Very fine droplets may contain the virus, and can stay suspended in the air for anywhere from minutes to hours. Small droplets and particles are often referred to as 'aerosols'.

Information and Resources About COVID-19 in Languages Other Than English

For Coronavirus (COVID-19) translated information for staff, contractors and other stakeholders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, see https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translated-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19

Identifying risks to health

Employers have a duty to provide and maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of employees. This includes identifying risks to health or safety associated with potential exposure to COVID-19.

Identifying the risks associated can include:

  • monitoring expert advice as the COVID-19 situation develops (for example, from the Department of Health / State Government)
  • reviewing infection control policies, procedures and practices, to ensure they are effective and are being followed
  • educating and keeping employees up to date on new information
  • considering whether undertaking work activities put other people (such as clients or members of the public) at risk of exposure to COVID-19

Controlling risks to health

https://covid19.swa.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/industry-information/general-industry-information

Where a risk to health is identified at a workplace, employers must eliminate the risk so far as is reasonably practicable and when elimination is not possible, reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

Face masks in workplaces

Consult with employees

Employers have a duty to consult with employees, independent contractors and any health and safety representatives (HSRs), so far as is reasonably practicable, on matters related to health or safety that directly affect, or are likely to directly affect them. This includes consultation on identifying hazards or risks and decisions about how to control risks associated with COVID-19.

The consultation should be conducted in accordance with any agreed consultation procedures.

The type of control measures required depends on associated risks and the availability and suitability of controls for each workplace. Control measures may include:

  • recommending employees work from home
  • implementing physical distancing initiatives in accordance with recommendations made by your state or territory health department
  • providing adequate facilities or products (such as hand sanitiser, where available) to allow employees to maintain good hygiene practices
  • providing appropriate personal protective equipment, including information or training on why the equipment is required and how to safely use it
  • avoiding shared use of phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment
  • developing an infection control policy
  • avoiding face to face meetings by using other methods of communication such as phone or video conferences
  • ensuring employees understand when to stay away from the workplace such as when:
    • they have been in contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19
    • they have a confirmed case of COVID-19
    • they are feeling unwell – no matter how mild their symptoms

Everyone in the workplace should practise good hygiene by:

  • regularly cleaning their hands with soap and water (minimum 20 seconds) or an alcohol-based hand rub (at least 60 per cent alcohol)
  • if hands are visibly dirty wash them with soap and water
  • always washing hands with soap and water:
    • before eating
    • after visiting the toilet
    • after attending a public place
    • after coughing, sneezing or nose blowing
  • covering their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, and disposing of used tissues immediately
  • comply with any physical distancing measures issued under public health orders or directions in their state or territory
  • cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces regularly, such as phones, keyboards, door handles, light switches and bench tops
  • consulting a health care professional if they are unwell, and staying away from the workplace and other public places while they have symptoms

Watch these videos to see how you wash your hands and this video to show you how to use hand sanitiser

Proper Hand Washing and  Technique

Source: World Health Organisation, Guidelines, Hand Wash and Hand Rub Poster

Ventilation

People in indoor environments, particularly in crowded or inadequately ventilated spaces, are at a higher risk of becoming infected with COVID-19. When someone infected with COVID-19 has been present, the virus may linger in poorly ventilated spaces or areas with stagnant air for a longer period of time.

Providing an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) to enclosed areas of a workplace dilutes the number of airborne virus particles and lowers transmission risk. Improving ventilation alone does not reduce the risk of transmission via droplets and contaminated surfaces. It needs to be considered as part of a suite of infection control measures.

Please refer to Ventilation and Covid-19 (subsection of 13.9 Office Management Procedure) for more information.

For further information go to

What is physical distancing and how does it prevent the spread of COVID-19?

[source https://covid19.swa.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/industry-information/general-industry-information/physical?tab=tab-toc-employer]

Physical distancing (also referred to as ‘social distancing’) refers to the requirement that people distance themselves from others.  

COVID-19 spreads from person to person through contact with droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets may fall directly into the person’s eyes, nose or mouth if they are in close contact with the infected person. A person may also be infected if they touch a surface contaminated with the droplets and then touch their mouth, nose or eyes before washing their hands.

A risk assessment is part of the risk management process which involves identifying where the risk arises in your workplace, assessing the risks (including the likelihood of them happening), controlling the risks and reviewing these controls regularly. These steps remain the same whether you are conducting a risk assessment in relation to work health and safety generally, or specifically in relation to COVID-19.

To determine the most effective physical distancing measures you will need to: 

  • identify all activities or situations where people in your workplace may be in close proximity to each other,
  • assess the level of risk that people in these activities or situations may contract and/or spread COVID-19 in your workplace, and
  • determine what control measures are reasonably practicable to implement based on the assessed level of risk. 

Remember, you must consult with workers, including volunteers, and their health and safety representatives (HSRs), if any, on health and safety matters relating to COVID-19, including what control measures to put in place in your workplace.

This information may be outlined in a COVID Safe Plan

Layout of the workplace

You may need to redesign the layout of the workplace and your workflows to enable workers to keep at least 1.5 metres apart to continue performing their duties. This can be achieved by, where possible: 

  • restricting workers and others to certain pathways or areas, and 
  • spreading out furniture or plant to increase distancing.  

Consider floor and/or wall markings and signage to identify 1.5 metres distancing requirements. If changing the physical layout of the workplace, your layout must allow for workers to enter, exit and move about the workplace both under normal working conditions and in an emergency without risks to their health and safety.  

Staff gatherings and training

Postpone or cancel non-essential gatherings, meetings or training. If gatherings, meetings or training are essential: 

  • use non face-to-face options to conduct – e.g. electronic communication such as tele and video conferencing 
  • if a non face-to-face option is not possible, ensure face-to-face time is limited, that is make sure the gathering, meeting or training goes for no longer than it needs to 
  • hold the gathering, meeting or training in spaces that enable workers to keep at least 1.5 metres apart and to comply with the density requirements specified in your jurisdiction – e.g. outdoors or in large conference rooms  
  • limit the number of attendees in a gathering, meeting or training. This may require, for example, multiple training sessions to be held, and 
  • ensure adequate ventilation if held indoors. 

Workplace facilities 

Reduce the number of workers utilising common areas at a given time – e.g by staggering meal breaks and start times. 

Spread out furniture in common areas. If changing the physical layout of the workplace, you must ensure the layout allows for workers to enter, exit and move about the workplace both under normal working conditions and in an emergency without risks to their health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. 

Place signage about physical distancing around the workplace. These posters can be placed around the workplace and in client-facing work environments (e.g. workplace entrances). Consideration needs to be given to how to communicate with workers and others for who English is not their first language.

Consider providing separate amenities, such as kitchens, bathrooms, for workers and others in the workplace – for example separate bathroom facilities for workers and visitors/clients. 

Working from locations other than the usual place of work

In some circumstances employees may work from a location other than their usual place of work, this includes working from home. Whether working from an alternate locations is reasonably practicable depends on the specifics of the workplace, the facilities available for employees to work from an alternate location and the ability for employees to do their work safely from an alternate location.

When making decisions about whether employees should work from an alternate location including their home, employers should:

  • review your State's Pandemic Orders and public health advice relating to working arrangements, including working from home
  • consult with employees and HSRs
  • consider whether working from a different location will introduce additional risks
  • keep up-to-date with information about COVID-19 risks and appropriate control measures
  • seek advice specific to their circumstances, including from employee and employer organisations and legal providers

For some workplaces working remotely will not be reasonably practicable (such as those involving customer facing roles or work that relies on specialised plant or equipment). When this applies, other controls such as infection control procedures and other forms of physical distancing must be implemented, to minimise the risk of infection.

For more information on Working From Home see Working From Home Procedure (sub section 13.16 Employment Procedure).

On-going review and monitoring

If physical distancing measures introduce new health and safety risks (e.g. because they impact communication or mean that less people are doing a task), you need to manage those risks too. 

Put processes in place to regularly monitor and review the implementation of physical distancing measures to ensure they are being followed and remain effective 

Victoria and Tasmania COVID Safe Plans

Austraffic Victoria has a COVID Safe Plan in place and continues to risk assess every project and site we attend. Austraffic procedures have again been reviewed to reflect the latest DHHS and government requirements to ensure we are operating in the safest way possible. Our JSEA/SWMS & training documentation has been updated to ensure we can respond in a timely manner to project data collection needs.

Austraffic Victoria's COVID Safe Plan is available at https://austraffic.com.au/library/procedures/15-3-transmission-high-risk-communicable-diseases-procedure/victoria-covid-safe

New South Wales COVID Safe Plans

Austraffic New South Wales has a COVID Safe Plan in place (NSW Covid Safe Plan) and we continue to risk assess every project and site we attend. Austraffic procedures are continually updated to reflect the latest NSW Health and Government requirements to ensure we are operating in the safest way possible and maintaining our status as a COVID Safe business. Our JSEA/SWMS & training documentation has been updated to ensure we can respond in a timely manner to project data collection needs.

Austraffic NSW's COVID Safe Plan is available at https://austraffic.com.au/library/procedures/15-3-transmission-high-risk-communicable-diseases-procedure/nsw-covid-safe-plan

What If A Worker (or a Visitor) Is Positive For Covid-19 and Attended an Austraffic Worksite?

If a worker (or visitor) tests positive for COVID-19, and they have attended an Austraffic work site during their infectious period, the Franchise Principal/Manager, or their designee, is responsible for ensuring all affected personnel are notified of the COVID-positive event within 24 hours of being notified of the event themselves.

Cleaning The Workplace After A COVID Event

If you have a case of COVID-19 in the workplace, please refer to your state or territory health authority for any specific cleaning requirements in your state/territory.

For further information see Cleaning Procedure (subsection 13.9 Office Management Procedure)

Notifiable incidents

WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW have announced that employers and self-employed people are no longer required to notify them if a COVID-19 positive worker attends their workplace.

However, there are no changes to Austraffic's duty to take every reasonable step to protect workers from risks to both their physical and mental health, including managing risks associated with COVID-19 and reporting notifiable incidents to each state and territory's worksafe/safe work authority, which includes the contraction of COVID-19 at the workplace, where the person requires immediate in-patient care or dies as a result.