Health and Safety

Electrical Industry Code of Practice (COVID-19)

The government has mandated all businesses must develop and abide by a Code of Practice in relation to COVID-19. This Code is to be implemented and effective as of Monday 18 May 2020. MEA has developed a Code of Practice for the electrical industry. Please download and use this in your business. This Code of Practice has been designed to assist electrical contractors to manage the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus to their workers, customers, and others in or near their work environments. The suggestions within this code should be considered in conjunction with your business risk assessments.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person in a similar way to the flu, from close contact with an infected person or from touching objects or surfaces contaminated by the sneeze or cough of an infected person and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. COVID-19 can cause symptoms similar to the flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, or shortness of breath. Most people who are infected experience mild illness from which they fully recover. However, some people may develop a more serious illness with pneumonia. People at increased risk include the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

It is important to remember that most people who become ill with respiratory symptoms at work are likely suffering from a cold, the flu or other respiratory illness – not COVID-19.

Self-quarantine Workers and others must self-quarantine if they have:

Traveled overseas in the past 14 days

Been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Workers who need to self-quarantine should notify their employer and stay away from work. They should seek immediate medical attention if they become ill during the quarantine period and call ahead of arriving and mention their travel or contact history.

Employers should make appropriate arrangements so that workers who need to self-quarantine stay away from work. Where possible, the worker should be provided with flexible work arrangements such as working from home.

Preventing the spread of infection at work

Simple hygiene practices, similar to those used to protect against the flu, can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

For workers:

• Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing, dispose of tissues immediately after use and wash your hands or apply hand sanitiser.
• Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth and shaking hands.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is unwell. Try to stay 1.5 metres away from anyone coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home if you are unwell.

For employers:

• Provide hand washing facilities and make sure these are kept clean, properly stocked and in good working order.
• Provide soap or alcohol-based hand sanitiser if available, tissues and cleaning supplies.
• Promote good hygiene practices, e.g. display hand hygiene posters
• Keep the workplace clean and hygienic. Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces such as door handles and workstations helps prevent contamination.
• Visit the Smartraveller website for advice about overseas business travel.
• Encourage workers who are sick with respiratory illness to stay home until they are recovered.
• If someone becomes ill with respiratory symptoms at work, isolate them by placing them in a room or an area away from others.
• Arrange for the person to be sent home or access medical assistance.
• If a worker is confirmed to have COVID-19, call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice. Inform co-workers about possible exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19 but maintain confidentiality. Advise workers to seek immediate medical advice if they develop symptoms or are concerned about their health.
• Follow advice from health authorities on social distancing and public gatherings.