COVID- 19 Vulnerable Workers

On Sunday March 29, 2020 Prime Minister Scott Morrison and National Cabinet “Strongly Advised” that  certain vulnerable groups should stay at home as much as practical.

While this was not deemed mandatory (at this stage) it was “strongly advised” that the above vulnerable groups should “stay at home” and “self-isolate” for “their own protection” to the “maximum extent” for “their own protection” to “limit their interaction with others in the community”.

On Monday March 30 2020, The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advised that, based on the limited current evidence, the following people are, or are likely to be, at higher risk of serious illness if they are infected with the virus:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
• People 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions-  (conditions included in the definition of ‘chronic medical conditions’ will be refined as more evidence emerges)
• People 70 years and older
• People with compromised immune systems

Many of our clients (and their employers) will be “encouraging” all of their employees who fall in these higher- risk categories to cease work and self- isolate.

The AHPPC recommends that where vulnerable workers undertake essential work, a risk assessment must be undertaken.  Risk needs to be assessed and mitigated with consideration of the characteristics of the worker, the workplace and the work. This includes ensuring vulnerable people are redeployed to non-customer based roles where possible. Where risk cannot be appropriately mitigated, employers and employees should consider alternate arrangements to accommodate a workplace absence.

Resile Recommends:

Step 1: COVID-19 Intra-OPP©

Our online risk assessment tool can assist in identifying high risk workers through utilisation of evidence-based tools that assist in determining risk (including psychosocial risk).

Step 2: Initial Contact (teleconsultation) with vulnerable workers

Once your company receives their risk profile, it will have been determined that individuals with medium to high risk profiles require evidence of risk mitigation. This will include scheduling a teleconsultation with a Resile Allied Health Practitioner who will determine if a compromising medical condition is well or poorly controlled and recommend management to address their risk. This ensures the worker (if they desire) can safely return to work during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This consult also provides the worker with reassurance that it is safe for them to continue at work in their essential role provided appropriate management is in place. A report is provided to the company representative and should be shared with the worker.

For further information on how to access these services and the associated fees, please email [email protected]