COVID-19 update 82 for Wednesday, 5 August
This bulletin includes information on the following topics:
Dear Members,
Through working with you all over the last few days we want to make it clear that we completely understand your anxiety about what Stage 4 restrictions mean for the industry. There are many aspects of these restrictions that are not clear and could do more than just scale back the industry if taken literally.
We thank you for your feedback and questions over the last few days as we try to find that clarity. Your questions have been extremely helpful, and they have formed the basis for our discussions with government over the last 36 hours and will continue to guide those discussions.
At a state level, these discussions have involved DHHS, and all other relevant departments, together with the Premier's Private Office and other ministerial offices. We are encouraged by the nature of engagement with these departments during this period, and their eagerness to see our industry continue to function safely, albeit with scaled back activity.
We are also being heard by the commonwealth government, with the Prime Minister on TV today saying that “…these issues are being raised directly. Some of them are very urgent, particularly around distribution centres. The issues around major construction projects, there's some serious issues raised there and we'll be relaying those further on today. I know the Premier was working on these last night. I know that for a fact. And so it's important that they get these restrictions right. They’ve brought them in and we need to make sure they're as practical as possible”
We have also been active in putting forward your concerns to the media to highlight these issues, from an industry-wide view to your own personal examples of confusion. These have been prominent over the last 24 hours and will continue over the next 24 hours.
While we do not have all the answers we want yet, Just some of the many topics we are seeking clarity on include:
- Definition of small versus large scale projects, and of critical infrastructure
- Workers/tradies/subcontractors moving across multiple sites during the six weeks
- How the 25% rule will be applied in commercial construction
- Will renovations be allowed?
- Will manufacturing for office and commercial building stay open?
Some questions around permits and COVID-19 Safe plans are covered in detail later in this bulletin, but here are some answers we can provide to some questions you have been asking:
- Is the deadline Wednesday 11:59pm or Friday 11:59pm?
These deadlines are for two different things; the requirement for permits to travel to work comes into effect at 11:59pm Wednesday (see more info below in bulletin), while the Friday 11:59pm deadline refers to the time that reduced employees numbers and other working restrictions will come into effect. As mentioned above, we are seeking clarity on these rules.
- Do we need to start shutting down our sites as we cannot work under the current guidelines?
As above, restrictions on our industry come into effect at 11:59pm on Friday 7 August. We are working round the clock to establish a way for our industry to operate safely within the guidelines.
- Can you start a new project on a new site if you finish a current project over next 6 weeks?
None of the rules outlined by the government at this point relates to stopping all new jobs once the rules come in to effect. Areas of construction that are permitted to continue will be able to sign new contracts. There may be some practical difficulties, however, such as the restrictions imposed on movement among sites.
While these rules are being finalised, we ask that everyone continue to operate under the COVID-19 Industry Guidelines and take a common-sense approach to what has been put forward. We expect a degree of leniency if you are trying to do the right thing and adhering to all safety protocols during this time.
We will share information on clarifications by the Government and DHHS as soon as it becomes available.
Preparing yourself and your business for Stage 4 restrictions
From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, workplaces in Melbourne must be closed unless:
- the workplace is part of a permitted activity, or
- all employees are working from home.
From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees –
this is the employer’s responsibility.
Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.
There will also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and up to $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. This includes employers and employees who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work.
Click on the links below for more information on the Worker Permit Scheme.
Eligibility
Employers can issue a worker permit to their employee if:
- The organisation is on the list of permitted activities
- The employee is working in an approved category for on-site work
- The employee cannot work from home.
In rare circumstances an employee does not need a worker permit. This includes:
- If an employee is at risk at home, such as at risk of family violence
- Law enforcement, emergency services workers or health workers who carry employer-issued photographic identification, which clearly identifies the employer.
An employee must not use a worker permit, even if they have been issued one, if:
- They test positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) and are required to self-isolate
- They are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
Information for employers
To issue a worker permit, employers will need:
- Name, ABN, company address and trading name
- The name and date of birth of the employee
- The employee’s regular hours and place of work
- To meet all eligibility criteria, including that the business is a permitted activity
- To meet all relevant legal obligations
- To have a COVIDSafe plan in place
- To authorise a person or people to issue the worker permit.
How to issue a worker permit
Each employee required to be on site must receive an individual worker permit with the required details.
Employers must:
1. Download the
template from this page and fill it out.
- Employers must use this template for all worker permits issued under this scheme.
2. Sign the worker permit. You can print and sign or sign it electronically.
- Businesses must get an authorised person to sign the worker permit. This person might be the CEO, a HR manager, an operations manager or anyone else that is suitable.
- They must be accountable for the details they provide.
- They may be contacted by Victoria Police or other enforcement agencies to confirm the details.
3. Ask the employee to sign the worker permit. They can print and sign or sign electronically.
- You can email or text the worker permit to your employee.
- An employee may travel to work without a worker permit once to get their first permit.
Businesses that are permitted to continue to operate during Stage 4 restrictions will need to have a COVIDSafe plan in place.
Master Builders Victoria has created a template for use by the construction industry that has been informed by the Building and Construction COVID-19 Industry Guidelines version 6.
Download the template.
The Master Builders Victoria team is available to provide support, resources and information for Master Builders members. Please contact us on (03) 9411 4555 for more details.
