Keeping ‘remote’ employees safe during COVID-19

 


Following the novel coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, preventative and safety measures have been put in place to fight the spread of the disease. This includes businesses and workplaces which are greatly affected during this crisis.

In the past two months, working from home is the 'new normal' for many. However, due to the unprecedented change to some, it is sometimes unclear what regulatory applies. In comparison to the designated office, some of our homes do not have smoke detectors, ergonomic workplaces, and safety protocols.

Remote work arrangements may be accompanied by unique management challenges in terms of safety, health, and environmental excellence. The transition creates a new set of challenges for the owners to maintain and improve their SH&E performance. 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the OSH Act), all Australian businesses/employers, including those who have entered 'work from home' arrangements with the employees, are responsible for complying with safety and health standard. 

To help the business owners/employers do their part in this pandemic, we have prepared some tips to ensure the safety of all remote workers.


  1. Make safety, health, and environmental performance clear.

This is one of the key strategies to ensure the safety of alternative workspace employees. As the owner, you are responsible for establishing objectives and accountability within the business unit or site leadership. Provide them with a point of contact where they can discuss their concerns and find workplace information in a central place. 


  1. Make sure to have frequent contact with your employees.

Don’t lose track of your employees. Establish frequent communications via chat or conference call and as to how they are coping with the transition. Consult them if there are any risks to their physical and mental health. Refer them to appropriate channels to support workplace physical and mental health and well-being, if deemed necessary. 


  1. Raise awareness

Employees need to be in sync with the company's requirements for health and safety. To do that, managers or assigned points of contact should acquire special skills in communications and coaching to efficiently manage the remote employees. Be well informed with updates from official resources and share relevant information that may be useful to them.


  1. Provide a regular routine for employees

Establish a work start time, end of shift time, and allotted time to take their regular breaks. A regular routine in place will help avoid burnout and may increase productivity. Remind them that working from home does not change their day to day work, it just means that they will be doing it in a different environment.


  1. Ensure health and safety compliance

Obligations under WHS laws include ton have health and safety strategies suitable to meet the need of employees.  This includes First Aid Training and Emergency Preparedness in the workplace.


First aid training helps employees learn to be more conscious of safety inside and outside of the workplace. It may lead to a reduced number of accidents and injuries, and minimised the risk for the workers.


Each business should provide first aid emergency training to its employees to deal with remote work, the isolation, and the risks they might experience due to COVID-19.


Contact our team on 1300 029 132 or email courses@firstaidpro.com.au to discuss the first aid training option for your business.

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