however if the customer requires it then we will need to pass on that requirement" — Jarron Urlic
I don't see it that way - employers have to manage the risk, if they have assessed that the risk to their workers due to their work is not significantly reduced by mandatory vaccination then they shouldn't require it. If a client/customer has assessed mandatory vaccination will for reduce the risk for their work in their workplace then they should require it (hoping it is not just a knee-jerk blanket policy). For ease of doing business the first company can organis their work so that only workers that are happy to disclose they are vaccinated work for the second company. No contracting out.This seems like another attempt to contract out of their responsibilities as an employer? — Jarron Urlic
It is frustrating for me that "this virus" seems to have caused everyone to think that there is one single "silver bullet" to beat Covid that everyone should be following. Even the advice to complete a risk assessment for mandatory vaccinations is worded in a way that implies the process is - decide you want to mandate vaccinations, then do a risk assessment to show that mandatory vaccinations will reduce the risk"when there is another alternative to assist employers to meet their H&S obligations and that is by means of testing (PCR) as testing is arguable a better control measure than vaccines because research has shown that vaccinated workers can still carry the virus. — robyn moses
Trade Unions, Business Counsel, Fair Work Commission and Safe Work Australia answered NO it cannot be mandated in almost every work place in Australian — robyn moses
when there is another alternative to assist employers to meet their H&S obligations and that is by means of testing (PCR) — robyn moses
Work which increases the exposure to the virus (e.g. Covid testing labs, MIQ facilities) requires controls to manage the risk of infections of workers during work — MattD2
Replace virus / COVID-19 with a different Biological Hazardous Substance — Stuart Oakey
D10. Cleaning
Employers must:
• implement thorough and regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. If disinfection of an
area is required, it must be performed in addition to cleaning, never as a substitute for
cleaning,
• ensure contact/touch surfaces such as table tops, work equipment, door handles and
handrails are visibly clean at all times and are cleaned at least twice daily,
• implement modified cleaning intervals for rooms and work areas. This applies especially for
washroom facilities, lockers and communal spaces. Cleaning should be performed at least
twice per day and whenever facilities are visibly dirty,
• provide workers with essential cleaning materials to keep their own workspace clean
(for example wipes/disinfection products, paper towels and waste bins/bags),
• provide workers with hand sanitisers and cleaning equipment for their work vehicle,
with cleaning taking place before and after each shift,
• increase number of waste collection points and ensure these are emptied regularly
throughout and at the end of each day, and
• modify use of hot desks to ensure that these are made available to identified staff
and have appropriate cleaning materials in place for workers to clean the area before
and after using
Note: In relation to routine disposal of waste in the workplace, waste such as used tissues,
wipes and cleaning material should be disposed of in the regular domestic waste stream.
Hands should be cleaned immediately after disposal of these items.
In relation to disposal of waste from a worker who becomes symptomatic while at work,
this waste should be disposed of in a disposable refuse bag.
When the waste bag is three quarters full, it should be tied securely and placed into a second refuse bag and tied again. The bag should then be left in a safe location for three days (72 hours) before putting out for collection.
For further advice, please contact your relevant Local Authority — Department Of Enterprise, Trade And Employment (Ireland)
No. Not if the reason is purely to manage an negative impact on the business (implying financial loss). We should never accept profit as a valid reason for limiting any persons rights.If the effect of a Covid infection amongst the business's workforce would have a seriously damaging impact on the business, the business should consider available options to mitigate that possible damage. If vaccinations and/or infection testing (several testing methods could be considered) potentially reduce the severity of infections if they occur, or the likelihood that infections will occur, or some other measures might reduce exposures to possibly infected people, are those reasonably practicable steps to take? — Rowly Brown
The final test for reasonably practicable includes for consideration of "...whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk." - normally this is considered from a monetary viewpoint to determine if there is reasonable grounds to not take a certain action. However costs are not just financial, in this case should we not consider the cost of forfeiting a human right and make sure that it is not disproportional to the action being taken, i.e. is the reduction in risk from mandating vaccinations disproportional to the workers giving up their right to refuse medical treatment?Equally in HSWA PCBUs who "manage (sic) or control (sic) a workplace must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the workplace, the means of entering and exiting the workplace, and anything arising from the workplace are without risks to the health and safety of any person. (HSWA S37(1)). — KeithH
If you are interested in workplace health & safety in New Zealand, then this is the discussion forum for you.