Guidance to help manage risks of COVID-19 in workplace

New guidance outlining best practice for managing the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace has been released by the Federal Government.

The draft model work health and safety (WHS) code of practice provides an example for state and territory governments, which can be adopted if required according to their individual level of risks.

“It’s essential that Australian businesses continue to operate safely during these challenging times and the draft model code provides clear, non-binding guidance on how best to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 entering or being spread within workplaces,” Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations, Christian Porter, said.

The draft code builds on the National Cabinet’s COVID-19 safe workplace principles, which included establishing Safe Work Australia as a central source of practical guidance and tools on managing the WHS risks of COVID-19.

A substantial amount of detailed and practical guidance specifically tailored to 36 different industries has been published on Safe Work Australia’s COVID‑19 website. It includes guidance on how to implement key preventative measures such as physical distancing, exemplary hygiene and protocols for responding to positive cases in the workplace.

You can download the draft code here.

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