Both within the COVID-19 pandemic period and outside of the period, it is an employer’s responsibility to ensure their employees are safe whilst at work. This extends to remote employees whose role involves visiting client sites.
Part of the assurance of safety is understanding the policies and protocols that exist at client sites and ensuring that your employees understand and agree to adhere as required.
During the current pandemic period there are additional questions that could be asked of the client which include:-
- What have they implemented in their workplace for visitors ie., contact trace register, hygiene, personal protective equipment.
- Have they had any COVID-19 cases in their workplace and if so, have they undertaken the required cleaning of the workplace?
- Are they following the Government isolation guidelines where required?
- Are their employees sent home if they are sick?
It is recommended that a reporting system be implemented where the various protocols of client sites, or any concerns or ‘high risk’ sites can be flagged and determined for future visits.
It is important for your employees to understand that they too have obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act to ensure do not pose risk to themselves or others. With this is mind, it is imperative that any concerns noted on a client site ie., not adhering to social distancing requirements, not wearing masks as required, can be reported back to ensure other employees are not placed at risk by visiting the site.
We recommend that any personal protective equipment that may be required to be worn by your employees as a protocol of attending client sites, should be provided by you the employer.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure all of your employees, whether working on your work site or travelling to client sites, are fully aware of their obligations. Communication and education is a requirement to ensure your employees are assisting you in the adherence of the government health guidelines and directives.
For further assistance with understanding your obligations please contact us at [email protected] or 1300 720 004.