Important
Download the Work health and safety plan for COVID-19 (PDF, 0.17 MB)
Template to assist businesses with their WHS COVID19 risk management plan. Existing WHS Plans covering COVID-19 risks and developed in consultation with staff are also acceptable.
Workers
- You must take reasonable care for your own health and safety and the health and safety of others in your workplace.
- You must co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure that relates to health or safety at the workplace.
Employers
- You must take action to protect workers and others at the workplace from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes implementing the public health measures issued by health authorities including Queensland Health and the Australian Government Department of Health.
- It is vital that you consult with and communicate with workers and their health and safety representatives (HSRs) on workplace measures to address COVID-19.
Put in place a plan to respond to COVID-19
- Also put in place any directives issued by Queensland Health – this should include infection prevention and control policies and procedures, safe systems of work, how workers and their HSRs will be consulted, and how you will monitor and update your plan as public health information changes.
- Consult with workers on the plan and display it clearly in the workplace. Consultation with workers, and, where applicable their representative, is required at each step of the risk management process.
Implement measures to keep workers safe and stop the spread of COVID-19
- Implement and promote high order controls to complement hygiene practices (e.g. social distancing such as work from home where possible, create separate walkways through worksites, limit numbers of people in lunch or crib rooms or install barriers and screens).
- Equally as important, implement good hygiene practices including hand hygiene and workplace cleaning – employers must provide sufficient cleaning and disinfection supplies and equipment, or engage a suitable cleaning service.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary and in accordance with the relevant State and National guidelines.
- Consider industry specific advice for higher risk workplaces or industries where the health of workers or people who are at the workplace are at higher risk, for example residential aged care, healthcare and correctional facilities.
- Manage psycho-social risks for workers.
- Communicate, train and supervise workers on workplace measures to address COVID-19.
Further information
- Alcohol-based hand sanitiser manufacturers
A guide to alcohol-based hand sanitisers. - Face masks and COVID-19
A guide to face masks, types and usage. - Financial assistance, training and support for electrical workers
Information for electrical workers on financial and employment help, support and online training resources. - Health and safety for telecommuters
A basic guide on the issues to consider and address when implementing a telecommuting (also called working from home, e-work and telework) arrangement. - Identifying risks to health in the healthcare and social assistance industry
General information for healthcare and social assistance workplaces and workers. - Incident notification
If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at your workplace, Queensland Health will be notified by the medical professional who confirms the diagnosis. - Lifts
Building tenants and building owners/managers should put measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 in lifts and waiting areas for lifts. - Personal protective equipment
When should a worker wear PPE and for how long? - Preventing the spread of infection at work
Simple hygiene practices, similar to those used to protect against the flu, can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. - Safety Data Sheet requirements for hand sanitisers in the workplace
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and workplaces are now using and supplying hand sanitiser as a control measure against the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Alcohol-based hand santisers, and some of their ingredients, can be considered hazardous chemicals. For example, ethanol and isopropanol are flammable liquids and can cause severe eye irritation, and hydrogen peroxide is corrosive to the skin and eyes. - Self quarantine
Information on when workers should quarantine and for how long. - Workplace psychological health considerations
Providing a psychologically healthy and safe work environment for workers.
Useful links
- Work health and safety during COVID-19: Guide to keeping your workplace safe, clean and healthy (PDF, 0.3 MB)
- Work health and safety in the horticultural industry during COVID-19: Guide to keeping your workplace safe, clean and healthy (PDF, 0.29 MB)
- Work health and safety plan for COVID-19 (PDF, 0.17 MB)
Template to assist businesses with their WHS COVID19 risk management plan. Existing WHS Plans covering COVID-19 risks and developed in consultation with staff are also acceptable. - Roadmap to easing Queensland’s restrictions
- Framework for COVID Safe business
- COVID safe checklist for Restaurants and Cafes etc.
- COVID safe checklist for Beauty Therapists and Nail Salons
- COVID safe checklists and COVID safe plans FAQs.
- COVID Safe training for Beauty and nails / Dining in