Member Update 5 August 2020

Hello Victorian Members,

Firstly, I hope this email finds you and your family in good health.  The numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths show the seriousness this pandemic still presents locally and around the globe.

Each day it seems, the conditions for work change, as the Andrews Government responds to the case volume and adjusts policies accordingly.

I wanted to write to you to supplement the information that John has sent out in Safety Bulletins over the past 7 days

The most important considerations on staying open for business is the ‘Permit to Work’ and a COVID Safe Plan.  The ‘Permit to Work’ template and ‘COVID Safe Plan’ template, as well as the Guidance on how to complete the COVID Safe Plan and the COVID Workplace Attendance Register are available on the Vic/Tas State page and the COVID19 update page of the CICA website.

We have asked the Victorian government for confirmation on what businesses can stay open and have been told that there will be NO confirmation process from the Victorian government and that businesses will need to undertake a self-assessment against a final directive from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, which is yet to be released.  

It is without doubt, cranes provide hire services to the construction sector for which the Premier has called the “Life Blood”. 

When reviewing your self-assessment, consider the following sectors that might be applicable:

Crane Hire

RENTAL HIRING AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES

  • Rental and Hiring Services, except where specified as permitted to operate 
  • Property Operators and Real Estate Services
  • Rental and Hiring Services, where supplying permitted service or industry.
  • Farm Animal and Bloodstock Leasing

 

Crane Repair / Maintenance / CraneSafe Inspection

TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING

  • Scenic and Sightseeing Transport
  • Road transport (passenger and freight)
  • Rail transport (passenger and freight) – including rail yards
  • Water transport (passenger and freight) – including ports and Tasmanian shipping lines
  • Air Transport (passenger and freight)
  • Pipeline and other transport
  • Transport support services
  • Vehicle repair, servicing and maintenance
  • Towing services

Public transport, ride/share and taxis available but only to support access to permitted services and provide transport for permitted workers

 

Warehousing and cold storage risk mitigations – High Risk COVID Safe Plan required

ALL SECTORS

 

  • Any ancillary business (including IT) involved in the production, supply, manufacture, repair, maintenance, cleaning, security, wholesale, distribution, transportation or sale of equipment, goods or services necessary for the operations of a permitted work site or for closed work sites where there are safety or environmental obligations
  • Any services connected with animal health, husbandry or welfare, including the RSPCA
  • Work sites that are in the closed category, can continue to provide access for the purposes of critical maintenance and safety works including meeting environmental obligations, subject to meeting the minimum requirements
  • All industries are required to meet Universal COVID Safe Plan obligations for the prevention and management of COVID-19, including development of COVID Safe Plans
  • The following industries are, in addition to the Universal obligations are required to have a High Risk COVID Safe Plan with enhanced obligations:
  • Construction
  • Warehousing
  • Distribution centres
  • Meat processing
  • Cold storage
  • Aged care

 

Equipment providers (OEMs and Lifting Equipment Distributors)

TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING

  • Scenic and Sightseeing Transport
  • Road transport (passenger and freight)
  • Rail transport (passenger and freight) – including rail yards
  • Water transport (passenger and freight) – including ports and Tasmanian shipping lines
  • Air Transport (passenger and freight)
  • Pipeline and other transport
  • Transport support services
  • Vehicle repair, servicing and maintenance
  • Towing services

Public transport, ride/share and taxis available but only to support access to permitted services and provide transport for permitted workers

 

Warehousing and cold storage risk mitigations – High Risk COVID Safe Plan required

ALL SECTORS

 

  • Any ancillary business (including IT) involved in the production, supply, manufacture, repair, maintenance, cleaning, security, wholesale, distribution, transportation or sale of equipment, goods or services necessary for the operations of a permitted work site or for closed work sites where there are safety or environmental obligations
  • Any services connected with animal health, husbandry or welfare, including the RSPCA
  • Work sites that are in the closed category, can continue to provide access for the purposes of critical maintenance and safety works including meeting environmental obligations, subject to meeting the minimum requirements
  • All industries are required to meet Universal COVID Safe Plan obligations for the prevention and management of COVID-19, including development of COVID Safe Plans
  • The following industries are, in addition to the Universal obligations are required to have a High Risk COVID Safe Plan with enhanced obligations:
  • Construction
  • Warehousing
  • Distribution centres
  • Meat processing
  • Cold storage
  • Aged care

I’m sure in my hurry to get this information out to you I have overlooked an industry, but I hope you will look at the list and review the Distribution of Industry Sectors when you are considering your self-assessment.  It at least highlights options to initial concerns over only being authorised to work in construction with a fixed crew and on only one job site for the next 6 weeks.  In all the highlighted cases a COVID Safe Plan is required to be in place and that is one of the conditions of the work permit as well.

This information is likely to change in the future as more announcements are made and CICA will endeavour to keep you informed as we receive the information.

Stay Safe,

Brandon