9 April 2020
Your latest regular update. We'll continue to bring you the information you need, as it's available. Today we have more details available on the JobKeeper Payment, additional safety resources, your questions about working over Easter answered, and register for our next Business Endurance webinars ...
This COVID-19 member update is unlocked and free to all in the interests of the building and construction industry. Did you know members have exclusive access to information and our team of experts who are on hand to assist in a range of ways? Need more specific COVID-19 advice relating to contracts, WHS, employment conditions or the relief measures? Members can contact us or learn how to join so you can speak with our experts and get free advice.
*Due to the changing nature of COVID-19, this information may no longer be correct. Please check state and federal government information for up-to-date guidance.
From our team to yours....
We know you are working hard to keep your doors open, keep your staff and your own health safe, and keep your team together. We’re here to help you get some stability in these turbulent times.
Over Easter, we’ll be taking a well-earned break and we hope you can, too. Enjoy some downtime if you can and we’ll see you next Tuesday.
JobKeeper Payment - new industrial laws
The government has now passed legislation that gives effect to its JobKeeper Payment wage subsidy package. The new legislation makes changes to a series of existing laws, including significant changes to the Fair Work Act 2009.
What flexibilities are provided under the JobKeeper changes?
The changes made to the Fair Work Act give JobKeeper employers powers to direct an employee to work reduced days or hours per day. The period or balance of the stand down is now authorised as a ‘JobKeeper enabling stand down’, in place of the general power to stand down.
Additionally, the employer may reach agreement with an employee to work alternate spread of ordinary hours, undertake alternate duties, work at an alternate location and take accrued annual leave.
During a JobKeeper working arrangement, the employer must pay the employee each fortnight at least the greater of the $1500 JobKeeper payment or the amounts payable to the employee in relation to the performance of work during the fortnight (including all wages, allowances, loadings, penalties, etc).
Employees will continue to accrue and take service-related entitlements as if the direction had not been issued.
The new laws commence immediately, and will cease on 28 September 2020, unless removed prior to that time.
As more information is known regarding the JobKeeper Payment, we'll keep you informed.
FAQs for building and construction
The Department of Housing & Public Works have produced a fantastic guide for the building and construction industry, which covers off a number of frequently asked questions.
The FAQs answers some of the most common questions we're being asked, including:
- Rules for travelling in work vehicles
- Can multiple workers attend a home or private property to complete work?
- If my work requires me to work in closer proximity than 1.5 metres to others, is this allowed?
- Can lunchrooms remain open?
- Can we still hold toolbox talks on site?
You can find other common safety, social distancing and hygiene FAQs on our website.
New safety resources
Health self-assessment sign for site visitors
If you've got a site that doesn't have constant supervision at the gate, we've developed a health self-assessment entry authorisation sign to display. Visitors and workers can use this as a health self-assessment.
Health disclosure form for visitors
Like the Health Disclosure Form for clients, you can use the Visitor Health Disclosure Form form for visitors coming to your site or business.
Can I work on site over Easter?
If you haven’t applied for a temporary use licence that grants permission to extend working hours for your site over the Easter period, then the normal rules for public holidays and weekend work will apply.
These rules include restrictions enforced by local councils in relation to audible noise on a public holiday and weekends generally, as well as obligations under Modern Awards when requesting employees to work. Over the Easter period, all four days are observed public holidays in Queensland, with Good Friday being a closed day, where no work can be performed.
COVID-19 and Safe Work Method Statements
Do I need to have a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for COVID-19?
- There is no specific legislative requirement that requires you to have a SWMS for COVID-19 or social distancing and hygiene measures specifically for COVID-19
- If you already have a SWMS for a high risk activity, and the process for which you undertake that activity is materially changed because of additional social distancing or hygiene requirements, then the SWMS should be updated to reflect these changes to the process.
- If you put steps in a SWMS that relate to social distancing or hygiene, it is recommended to be clear in the SWMS about which step in the process it relates to (rather than a blanket statement). Why? There's likely to be steps in processes where you may not be able to maintain the distance – i.e. holding and securing of roof sheets or plaster by two or more people.
Contact our WHS team if you have further questions.
Business Endurance webinars MEMBERS REGISTER FOR FREE
We've developed a brand new webinar series covering industry specific topics that relate to keeping your business going during COVID-19.
This free, live 45-minute webinar series will provide you with expert advice to help you through COVID-19 business challenges - particularly on topics like finance, HR, IT, contracts, health and safety and self-endurance.
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
8.30 - 9.15AM
During this time, not only is remote connection and work necessary, it needs to be efficient with minimal disruption to productivity. Learn from our Master Builders IT expert, Simon Spencer the tools and tips you need to help keep things humming along with minimal roadblocks. We'll deep-dive into:
- Remote office working tools and tips
- How to protect yourself and your business against the increase of cyber security threats.
Resources
We're trying to make it easier with loads of resources available:
- Health Disclosure Form - use this when visiting clients and private premises
- Notice to supply to clients - use this to confirm for clients you are authorised to attend
- COVID-19 site sign - use this to educate your workers on the guidelines
- COVID-19 site sign (public) - use this to reinforce to the public and workers on the measures you are taking
- Keep your distance checklist - use this to ensure you are following all the recommendations
We're here for you
We've got the information you need on:
- Contractual information for site shutdown or program delays
- How to deal contractually with a product delay
- Safety & hygiene practices
- Employment conditions
- Common employment FAQs
- Relief and stimulus packages
- Mental health and well-being
Help and advice
As usual, our staff are here to help. Whether you've got a question about protecting your business contractually, an employment or a health and safety question, our specialists are here and available to talk you through the options - get in touch.
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