Are you Prepared to Operate at Level 2?

At midday on Wednesday, 12 August 2020, New Zealand (with the exception of Auckland) will all move back into Alert Level 2. For many of our clients, they are prepared to pull back out their earlier Alert Level 2 action plan, and put this back into action. Contingency planning is key, and being prepared for further movement up and down the alert levels. We have done this before, and we can do this again.

What does Alert Level 2 mean?

 
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It is important to ensure that you are prepared to operate safely at Alert Level 2. The risk of COVID-19 transmission remains, so implementation or ongoing maintenance of COVID-19 controls remains vital for the health and safety of your team, clients, customers and anyone else your team may come into contact with.

The key controls for work and workplaces remain:

  • Maintain physical distancing (ideally 2 metres)

  • Ensure good hygiene

  • Keep a record of anyone who enters the workplace

  • People with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to remain at home

  • Fulfilling all other health and safety obligations

Where to start?

We recommend you start by preparing a safety plan, to ensure you and your team can operate safely at Alert Level 2. There are several useful tools available to enable you to begin preparing your safety plan.

Your industry may have prepared guidance to assist you with operating safely, click here to find endorsed guidance by industry.

WorkSafe also has useful safety plan templates to assist you in your preparation, you can find them here.

It is important that you keep communicating with your team, ensure your team is aware of your safety plan, and that they understand how you intend to manage working safely, and what you expect them to do to assist.

We recommend that you continue to keep records of your team members interactions with clients, customers, suppliers and other members of the public, check out our complimentary Register Template.

All businesses are encouraged to use alternative ways of working if possible, including working from home. If this is still an option for you and your team, consider this. We have a complimentary Working from Home Policy, which we encourage you to utilise. Also, consider split shifts to ensure social distancing efforts are maintained. We encourage you to talk to your team and seek their input as to how they see themselves operating at Alert Level 2.

Some final things to think about:

  • What needs to be done before you can safely return to work?

  • Are your people able to operate safely from your workplace?

  • Will you need to increase cleaning and hygiene arrangements?

  • How will you gather information on your workers health and wellness?

  • How will you ensure the safety of your team, clients, customers, suppliers and general public?

  • How will you manage potential exposure to COVID-19?

  • How will you keep records of your teams exposure to members of the public?

We understand there is a lot to think about, please get in touch if we can assist your transition into Alert Level 2, 0800 HR FOR U.

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Paige Hellier

ER and Legal Consultant

People Passion