Coronavirus In The Workplace - How To Protect Your Staff

As the outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus COVID-19 continues to gain momentum, the South Australian Business Chamber has had requests from many businesses on how they can reduce their risks and prevent the spread of infection at the workplace. Although COVID-19 is currently on everyone’s minds, many of the WHS precautions are applicable for the up-coming influenza season too.

Firstly, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important to understand how it is transmitted. The Department of Health says that COVID-19 spreads from person to person in a similar way to the flu: 

• from close contact with an infected person 
• from touching contaminated objects or surfaces 
• contaminated by the sneeze or cough of an infected person and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 

Businesses have a legal WHS responsibility to ensure their workplaces meet some basic hygiene and safety standards that will prevent the spread of infection. Also, there are some hygiene rules employees should be aware of that may help safeguard your workplace from infection. The following information about managing risks from coronavirus is sourced from the Department of Health. 

• Provide hand washing facilities and make sure these are kept clean, properly stocked with soap and in good working order. 
• Provide alcohol-based hand sanitiser, tissues and cleaning supplies. 
• Promote good hygiene practices, e.g. display posters on handwashing and respiratory hygiene. Copies can be printed here.
• Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces such as door handles and workstations helps prevent contamination. 
• Encourage workers who are sick with respiratory illness to stay home until they are recovered. 
• If someone becomes ill with respiratory symptoms at work, isolate them by placing them in a room or an area away from others. 
• Arrange for the person to be sent home and advise them to seek medical advice. 
• If an employee is very unwell, call an ambulance. 
• If a worker is confirmed to have COVID-19, inform co-workers about possible exposure but maintain confidentiality. Advise workers to seek immediate medical advice if they develop symptoms or are concerned about their health. 

Surgical masks are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus from spreading it to others. If employees are well, they do not need to wear a surgical mask as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission.

Share this information with your employees and enforce the strategies at the workplace to reduce risks.

We appreciate this situation is continuously evolving – we’ve got your back — for information and assistance on any aspect of your employment obligations, the South Australian Business Chamber Members can contact our Business Advice Hotline on (08) 8300 0000. Not a Member? It’s time to join, contact the South Australian Business Chamber’s Membership team on (08) 8300 0000. Need some more in-depth information, our experienced Senior Consultants can assist. Contact us today

Regularly update yourself on the latest information by accessing the following government websites who are providing up-to-date information:

Safe Work Australia

SA Health

Smart Traveller

SA Health Information line: 1800 020 080