14/04/2020
Mend’s commitment
Mend is committed to carrying out all construction works safely, and with all possible measures taken to remove or minimise risks to the health and safety of workers, subcontractors and other persons who may be affected by Mend’s operations. Mend’s WHS Management System assures compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements. WHS is paramount in all areas of our operations and this is reflected in our commitment to consult and continuously
review our Policy, Programs and practice.
Prevention
Mend has implemented numerous initiatives in response to the Government’s mandates.
i. We have scheduled regular Leadership team meetings to discuss our organisational response and precautions to the evolving and rapidly changing situation in relation to the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). The Leadership Team will meet daily if required in keeping up with the rapidly evolving issues.
ii. Unwell workers are excluded from the site. It is a requirement that if a worker is unwell; sneezing; coughing; sore throat; and/or have a temperature, they must stay at home and consult a doctor. Unwell workers are not to come to the workplace.
iii. Hygiene is a priority. Staff and subcontractors have been reminded to be vigilant with personal hygiene. Following NSW Health (March 2020) advice workers have been asked to practice good hygiene by:
- cleaning your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
- cover your sneeze or cough with your elbow or with a tissue, or a flexed elbow
- avoid close contact with people who are ill
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- stay home if you are sick
- social distancing – avoid crowds and gatherings in enclosed spaces; avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing; avoid visiting vulnerable people such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment
iv. Mend’s office staff are now working from home. They will continue to be available through their usual mobile and email channels. They will attend site as per their role and function, circumstances permitting.
Customer responsibilities
i. Please phone or email first where possible. We ask that all customers practice the Governments’ advice of social distancing in particular. Should customers wish to raise issues with Mend staff we ask that people email or phone the relevant staff member.
ii. Face-to-face meetings will only be scheduled if essential and in observance of Government requirements. All other meetings will be scheduled using remote technology.
iii. Let us know if anyone is self-isolating or in quarantine. During our work with a customer, it would be appreciated that if the customer becomes aware of a person we are in direct contact with who is self-isolating, whether having recently returned from overseas and/or has been in contact with a person diagnosed with coronavirus; and/or has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, please let us know. Mend staff will not work in areas where a person is self-isolating or in quarantine. This is really important in limiting the impact of the coronavirus spread.
iv. We will let our customer know, in cases where we are working on a customer’s project, if any on site staff test positive for COVID-19 or is required to self-isolate. We believe this is the right thing to do in observing our public responsibility.
Mend is taking the coronavirus and its rapidly emerging issues seriously. As a Head Contractor, we will continue to observe Government advice and will proactively review emerging issues in assuring that we are applying best practice in response to the coronavirus.
Customers are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions, as we work together in assuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all.
This policy will be reviewed as required in meeting the rapidly emerging issues and the Federal and State Governments’ directives.