How do I protect my workplace?
Good health and safety practices involve elimination, isolation and minimisation. In a pandemic situation, there can be a high risk of transmission of infection from close contact between people. There is no one, single response that can be planned for - businesses need to be able to respond flexibly depending on the situation. Each business needs to assess what practical steps it can take to reduce the risk of transmission. For example:
You could eliminate the risks by preventing contact between people by:
- Arranging for staff to work from home.
- Asking staff to stay home if they feel unwell.
- Offering internet shopping and other self-service options for customers, and being prepared for more people to use it.
Workplaces can isolate the risk of close contact between people at work by:
- Using 'Night Service' windows to reduce direct contact with customers.
- Arranging for staff to work shift or flexible hours, so that they come into contact with fewer people.
Workplaces can minimise the risk of infection by:
- Using the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves for high people contact roles.
- Being vigilant about personal hygiene, such as hand washing.
- Making sure staff are trained on hygiene and the use of protective equipment.
- Providing space for workers to have distance from other workers in order to prevent spreading infection.
This advice is given as a guide. Employees and employers are advised to seek their own advice depending upon the circumstances they face.
Date Modified: Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Disclaimer: The content on this website covers common problems. It will not answer every question
and should not be used as a substitute for legislation or legal advice. State sector employers
and employees may be affected by some differences in the laws that apply to them (e.g. State
Sector Act 1988). The Department of Labour takes no responsibility for the results of any actions taken
on the basis of information on this website, nor for any errors or omissions.
