In line with the soon-to-be adopted national Freight Movement Code for the Domestic Border Controls – Freight Movement Protocol (the Code) and as part of a key strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19, freight operators are required to have a COVIDSafe Workplan.
Regardless of the name for the plan used in the Code, most states and territories have developed COVID-19 Safe Plan templates. The Code intends to ensure mutual recognition of plans developed by operators. But that is not yet agreed. So, an operator may need multiple plans depending on the geographic areas of operation, noting several differences between the NSW and Victorian template plans.
Typically a COVID-19 Safe Plan must set out:
- your actions to help prevent the introduction of COVID-19 in your workplace, including requirements for social distancing, keeping the workplace clean, and the provision of information and training to workers
- how you will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in your workplace
- leave entitlements if workers are sick or required to self-isolate
- steps to ensure drivers maintain physical distancing from other workers at the places they need to stop
- close contact record requirements for drivers
- the level of face-covering or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for your workforce
Templates provided by the states that mandate a plan can be downloaded from the following sites:
- NSW – https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-07/covid-19-safety-plan-transport-freight-logistic-operations.pdf
- VIC – https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/covid-safe-business/covid-safe-plan
- TAS – https://www.worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/Health-and-Safety/safety-alerts/coronavirus/covid-safe-workplaces-framework#COVID-19-Safety-Plan-templates-and-checklist
We will keep you informed about developments with the Code and efforts to get the states and territories in agreement about a single, mutually recognised plan.
