COVIDSafe Plan

A COVIDSafe Plan supports a business to protect  its staff, customers, visitors, and the community. It also prepares a business for a suspected or  confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace.

A COVIDSafe Plan sets out:

• your actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace
• the type of face mask or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
• how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace.

Every Victorian business with on-site operations must have a COVIDSafe Plan.

Random spot checks are taking place across the state to ensure compliance. Failure to comply can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to $9,913 or up to $20,000 for serious offences.

• have a COVIDSafe Plan in place that is regularly reviewed and updated; and seek input from your workforce.  
• ensure that all workers who can work from home are able to do so
• ensure all workers carry a face mask and wear one in mandatory settings
• record contact details of all workers, subcontractors, customers and clients attending the work premises for 15 minutes or longer
• keep a record of compliance with restrictions, including all logs created during the time of Directions being in force, work premises rosters, time and attendance records and payroll data
• ensure that the number of workers in an enclosed workspace does not exceed the relevant density quotient
• if a worker is unwell, send them home and direct them to get tested. They must stay home until they have a negative result.
  Testing is free and financial support is available for workers who need to self-isolate or quarantine.
• report positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), WorkSafe, Health and Safety Representatives, and notify your workforce. For more information on identifying and notifying close contacts, see Workplace guidance for managing suspected and confirmed cases (Word). Additional information on reporting a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) is available at: Confirmed case in the workplace page
• regularly clean your facilities, shared spaces and provide extra cleaning supplies
• undertake risk assessments for cleaning and the potential closure of your workplace in certain situations.
  

Certain high-risk workplaces (for example, care facilities) have additional requirements under Directions from the Victorian Chief Health Office (CHO). 

Visit WorkSafe Victoria for more details about employee and employer workplace health and safety obligations.

• know your workplace’s COVIDSafe Plan
• regularly wash your hands and always practise good hand hygiene
• maintain at least 1.5 metres from others at all times and follow  density quotient and worker caps for your workplace
• face masks must be worn in all indoor spaces (other than your private residence), apart from when eating and drinking or unless a lawful reason not to wear one applies
• face masks must be carried at all times and are strongly recommended to be worn in outdoor settings whenever physical distancing of 1.5 metres from others cannot be maintained. You must carry a face mask at all times when leaving the home 
• avoid carpooling where possible
• avoid carpooling where possible
• work from home if you can, however you may return to work if you are nominated by your employer as part of the 25 per cent to return to the office or you cannot work from home
• do not go to work if you are feeling sick. If you start to feel unwell at work, go home and get tested immediately
• notify your employer if you intend to work at a different worksite
• tell your employer if you test positive to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• regularly clean equipment and shared spaces.
  

You don’t need to rewrite your COVIDSafe Plan in the revised template. However, you should review your current COVIDSafe Plan regularly to ensure it aligns with the latest advice, guidelines and to ensure it meets the requirements under the six COVIDSafe Principles. 

Your COVIDSafe Plan must be available for inspection on request by WorkSafe or other authorised officers under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. You do not need to submit your COVIDSafe Plan or have it endorsed by the Victorian Government.

Authorised officers under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and WorkSafe may undertake site inspections to ensure employers are operating with a COVIDSafe Plan and are complying with COVIDSafe practices.

Authorised officers and Worksafe select site operators for review, and ask them to demonstrate that they are complying with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s Directions. Operators must retain and make available for inspection their COVIDSafe Plans, project resourcing plans, work premises rosters, time and attendance data, payroll data and other site attendance records.

Members of the public can report a suspected breach of the public health restrictions, including isolation breaches, unauthorised mass gatherings or business breaches, by contacting the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or reporting it online at Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting.

Subcontractors must complete their own COVIDSafe Plan for the worksite they are working on, even if that worksite is shared with another employer.

There may be some site-specific elements of a COVIDSafe Plan that a subcontractor cannot fill out themselves if they do not manage the site (such as screening and collecting records of all site visitors). In that case, the subcontractor should follow the same practices as the main employer or operator of the worksite to ensure that they are consistent.

High Risk COVIDSafe Plans are no longer required.

Businesses can continue to use an existing High Risk COVIDSafe Plan if the information in it is still current, or can adopt a standard COVIDSafe Plan. Please see the industry restrictions levels for more information on the requirements for your business.