With Monday comes a number of new restrictions for the population.
We know this will be near to impossible for those onsite, especially when working with others to hang sheets etc, but there are things you can do to at least do your very best to practice social distancing.
We recommend the following General principles as provided by Master Builders Queensland with additional precautions added be taken up for everyone’s safety on the job.
PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING BY:
• Limiting access to the site to only essential workers involved in activity on the given day.
• Applying the 1 person per 4 square metre rule for work being undertaken in enclosed or internal spaces.
• Limiting any external visitors or third parties (i.e. the client or an inspector) to be by exception and at a time when no-one else is on site (apart from a representative of our business).
• Where PPE as legislated on site
MINIMISE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ON SITE BY:
• Scheduling of trades for necessary tasks only, on any given day.
• Scheduling trades that will not need to work in close proximity – i.e working in designated areas away from each other.
• Staggering of start and finishing times for trades and workers.
• Staggering of meal breaks to avoid gatherings of larger numbers of people.
FACILITATE CONTACTLESS DELIVERIES AND PAYMENT BY:
• Allowing payments to be made on invoice by direct debit, over the phone or contactless credit card.
• Only allowing the relevant person for a delivery to interact with the delivery driver while practicing social distancing principals.– i.e. supervisor only interacts with the delivery driver.
• The delivery driver delivering supplies and leaving immediately after the transaction takes place to limit time on site.
PROVIDE HYGIENE FACILITIES BY:
• Providing adequate cleaning products and facilities for all workers on site.
• Implementing regular handwashing schedules. Regularly (at least daily) cleaning and disinfecting of any common areas.
• Cleaning any shared tools/ plant before and after each use.
• Providing PPE including gloves, masks, eye protection.
• Increasing ventilation for building sites where internal work is being undertaken.
KEEP EVERYONE UP TO DATE ON LATEST INFORMATION BY:
• Conducting regular toolbox discussions whilst also applying social distancing principals.
• Sending regular emails and text messages with updates or changes.
• Providing signage about good hygiene and social distancing.
• Advising staff of any potential risk of virus i.e. someone has been diagnosed or has been in contact with the virus.
FOLLOW ISOLATION RULES BY:
• Not allowing persons who have been unwell, diagnosed or in contact with the virus on site until they have been cleared by a doctor and delivered a negative test.
• Enforcing the 14 day self- isolation policy for any persons returning from overseas or interstate.
• Enforcing self-isolation for any persons who have been in close contact with the virus.
PROTECT OUR CUSTOMERS BY:
• Confirming who will be at the premises before attending.
• Requesting confirmation that no one at the premises is unwell, been overseas recently, in quarantine or in self isolation.
• Not making physical contact with the customer (i.e. no shaking hands, providing contactless payment).
TRANSPORT TO AND FROM SITE
There is some confusion as to who is allowed in a vehicle together.
• Where practical, it would be best practice for all employees to travel independently to site. If however this is not possible, then travelling together should be minimised, but is allowed – please keep to a maximum of 2 people in the vehicle.
• Ensure the vehicle is cleaned thoroughly to prevent cross contamination.
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY AND LOVED ONES
• Remove boots before entering the home and leave outside
• Where possible, undress and shower before greeting family members
• Do not shake out clothing, but wash in hot water and detergent as soon as possible
You can download a Coronavirus checksheet here