Safe Work Australia issues new COVID-19 WHS industry guidance

Safe Work Australia has released a new range of WHS guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to help manage health and safety risks posed by COVID-19.

This includes guidance about physical distancing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, workers’ compensation, how to conduct risk assessments and design emergency plans, as well as providing case studies to help explain how to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace.

The COVID-19 Information for workplaces site allows visitors to filter the content using the new dropdown menu to find information and resources tailored for: 

• employers, small business and workers
• the industry they work in, and
• the health and safety topic that they would like information on.

There are currently 23 industries to choose from as well as general industry information for those whose industry is not listed. Industries include: 

• Agriculture
• Building and construction
• Delivery drivers  
• Early childhood education
• Fly-in and fly-out and Drive-in and drive-out 
• Food processing and manufacturing
• Energy and Utilities
• Hospitality 
• In-home services
• Office
• Public transport 
• Retail 
• Road freight 
• Stevedores and ports 
• Taxi and ride share
• Trades and home maintenance
• Warehousing and logistics

Safe Work Australia said new information and guidance continues to be developed with Safe Work Australia Members and the website will be updated with new information as the COVID-19 situation evolves.