MEDIA RELEASE, 26th March, 2020
Construction Company and CFMEU Lead with Solid Plan for COVID-19 Diagnosis
A Melbourne construction worker has tested positive for COVID-19, with the CFMEU and the relevant construction company working together to immediately implement necessary procedures to mitigate any further cases.
The employee went to work shortly after returning from overseas (prior to the self-isolation policies currently in place for overseas travellers.) Upon feeling unwell, he did not return to work and was tested the following day. After receiving a positive result of COVID-19, he contacted his employer who immediately shut down the site, contacting the DHHS and the CFMEU.
All employees who were working on site were contacted straight away. Those who were identified as being in ‘close contact’ with the diagnosed employee were forced to quarantine for 14-days. These workers currently have not displayed any symptoms of COVID-19.
All necessary procedures to ensure the health and safety of site workers were implemented, including the employment of a hospital-grade, specialist cleaning company to perform a thorough on-site decontamination.
The remaining workers who were not required to quarantine, returned to work after the site was fully decontaminated and have not displayed any symptoms at present.
The CFMEU and the building and construction industry stakeholders will continue to enforce all necessary hygiene and social distancing measures with the upmost importance to ensure the collective health and safety of the entire community during this difficult time.
Currently, the National Cabinet’s stance is that the building and construction industry is deemed an essential service and the CFMEU and industry bodies will continue to work through this challenging period, abiding by all government rules and enforcing strict social distancing and hygiene practices in all sites to ensure the health and safety of workers and their families. The building and construction industry are proud to continue to play such a significant role in the economy during such difficult times.
All guidelines created by both construction companies and the CFMEU have been developed in accordance with The Australian Government Department of Health and Human Services advice on COVID-19 and are regularly updated.
Any builder or site that doesn’t follow COVID-19 guidelines set to protect workers’ safety should be reported. Contact your union representative and they will act immediately. Our members and their families’ safety are paramount to us.
For all COVID-19 news and member resources in relation to on site safety, support and redundancy information, superannuation, income protection, sick leave, hardship payments and your rights and responsibilities please visit: https://cfmeu-news.com.au/covid-19-information/
