University of Tasmania COVIDSAFETY PLAN working document June

University of Tasmania COVID-SAFETY PLAN (working document) June 2020

Table of Contents q Purpose of the COVID-Safety Plan q Minimum Standards q Plan Development, Implementation and Review q Stages of recovery q Principles for a safe recovery q Meeting the Minimum Standards for the risk of COVID-19 Work. Safe Tasmania COVID-Safe Workplaces Framework 2

What is the purpose of the University COVID-Safety Plan? The University must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other people. This includes having measures in place to eliminate or manage the risks arising from COVID-19. Work. Safe Tasmania has introduced new regulations regarding COVID-19 which the University to outline how we will keep our staff and students safe from Coronavirus. The University of Tasmania COVID-Safety Plan outlines the identified risks, control measures that provides how the University will plan its staged recovery to resume normal business operations. By identifying the relevant known risks and identifying and implementing effective controls, the University can demonstrate compliance with the WHS Act TAS (2012) and Safe Work Australia COVID-19 requirements. Work. Safe Tasmania COVID-Safe Workplaces Framework 3

What are the regulated Minimum Standards that apply? Under the WHS Act (2012) the University is required to: § § § manage the risks of a person contracting or spreading COVID-19 in the workplace. implement and maintain a cleaning schedule across the workplace. have good hygiene procedures and practices (such as washing and/or sanitising of hands). § § ensure workers who have been instructed to quarantine or self-isolate don’t come to the workplace. make sure physical distancing requirements are met by workers, contractors and others entering, leaving or moving around the workplace. provide information, training and supervision on how the risks of COVID 19 are to be managed and ensure all processes and procedures are applied by the workers. provide information and instruction to other people who attend the workplace about how they are to comply with your processes and procedures, and make sure they apply them. 4

How is the COVID-Safety Plan developed and implemented? The UTAS COVID-Safety Plan identifies the steps that the University intends to implement as it enacts its staged recovery. The plan is informed by the UTAS COVID-Safe Risk Register and Business Continuity Plans (recovery). The plan is informed by the mandates and guidance provided by the State and Federal Governments, as well as Safe Work Australia (SWA) and State Work. Safe Regulators. All Leaders are to ensure they are aware of the plan and ensure their areas of operation are meeting this plan using the COVID-Safe Checklist. 5

How is the COVID-Safety Plan reviewed? The COVID-Safety Plan shall be reviewed regularly to ensure the identified risks and controls are still current, relevant and applicable. It will also be reviewed if any of the following occur: § A change in legislation or other government mandate. § Following a workplace incident involving COVID-19 § Where new controls are identified or § A change in the operating environment occurs which changes our exposure to the risk of COVID-19. Changes to the COVID-Safety Plan are to be communicated through the University’s Crisis Management and Recovery Team. 6

What are the University’s planned stages of recovery? UTAS-RESPONSE-MEASURES-FOR-THE-THREE-STAGES-OF-RETURN-TO-CAMPUS. PDF 7

What are the University’s Principles for a safe recovery? § The safety and wellbeing of our staff, students and community is our highest priority. § The measures we adopt are to protect those at greater risk of more serious illness with COVID-19. § § § Our recovery measures will be consistent with the Principles and Protocols for reducing the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission at Universities (Universities Australia, May 2020). § We will maintain our ability to deliver courses remotely and be able to transition within 48 hours from oncampus delivery to remote. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff, a structured and planned staged return to campus will be considered as outlined in this document. § Our recovery measures will be consistent with the Tasmanian Government Roadmap to Recovery and Australian Government 3 Step Framework for a COVID-Safe Australia. As a stage of recovery is increased (i. e. moving from stage 1 to stage 2), Strategic CMRT will review and approve changes to response measures. UTAS-RESPONSE-MEASURES-FOR-THE-THREE-STAGES-OF-RETURN-TO-CAMPUS. PDF 8

Continued…. § If there is a step back in recovery stage (e. g. moving from stage 2 back to stage 1), UTAS will transition to the new requirements by the time the new requirements come into effect (UTAS can transition within 1 week). immediately contact the Public Health Hotline (TAS 1800 671 738 and NSW 1800 020 080) for advice before advising their manager / supervisor (staff) or U-Connect (students). § All staff and students must strictly follow § To enable tracking and tracing in the event Government quarantine procedures and of a confirmed, or probable COVID-19 case, timeframes. where possible UTAS will identify data on § We will continue to support physical staff, students, contractors etc. , who could be distancing in accordance with The Australian close contacts of the confirmed case. Government and the Tasmanian State § Where required UTAS will provide this guidelines. information to the relevant State and Federal § We will strongly encourage all staff and Government. students to download the COVIDSafe app to § Any staff or student who exhibits any enable fast and effective tracing. respiratory, flu-like or COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus and should UTAS-RESPONSE-MEASURES-FOR-THE-THREE-STAGES-OF-RETURN-TO-CAMPUS. PDF 9

What is our collective responsibility? We all have a shared responsibility to minimise the risk of COVID-19 § Maintain 1. 5 m physical distancing § Maintain hand hygiene § Cough into a tissue or your elbow § Stay home when you’re sick § Download the COVIDSafe App § Heightened cleaning § COVID-19 Health Screening § Physical distancing standards for rooms § Online learning and assessment § Support to work from home UTAS-RESPONSE-MEASURES-FOR-THE-THREE-STAGES-OF-RETURN-TO-CAMPUS. PDF 10

How will we meet the Minimum Standards for the risk of COVID -19? The Minimum Standards set out in the Regulations, require having certain controls in place. The key controls we have in place to meet these Minimum Standards are: • Managing the risks of COVID-19 • Restrictions on entry to campus • Physical Distancing • Cleaning and Hygiene • Instruction, Training and Supervision • Responding to an incident involving COVID-19 in the workplace • Supporting our people’s Wellbeing The COVID-Safe Checklist covers the requirements of each control to meet this plan. 11

Managing the risks of COVID-19? • The UTAS COVID-Safety Plan is informed by the UTAS COVID-19 Risk Register which identifies the risks and controls to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. • The Minimum Standards set out in the Regulations, require having certain controls in place, applying the Hierarchy of Control. • Restrictions and risks change constantly so the COVID-19 Risk Register will be regularly reviewed and update the COVID -Safe Plan accordingly. 12

How will we restrict return to campus? • We have a 3 -stage approach of lifting of restrictions is guiding us back in a way that will continue to reduce the risk to the community of COVID-19. • Our primary mode of operation is to support online learning and working from home. • We have limited the numbers of people on campus to those required for essential functions and for approved activities e. g. face to face learning for students to complete their units, to undertake critical research. • We have introduced a mandatory COVID-safe Return to Campus induction. • We have introduced a mandatory COVID 019 Health Screening on campus. • Vulnerable persons will be supported to work or study from home or where they need to undertake essential work on campus, a risk assessment will be undertaken. • Each essential activity or space will need to complete a COVID-Safe Checklist to ensure it is meeting the requirements of this plan 13

How will Physical Distancing be managed? Physical distancing (also referred to as 'social distancing') refers to the requirement that people distance themselves from others. While our primary mode of operation will remain working from home or online learning, we will ensure that as our operations are being restored, they will meet physical distancing requirements. For examples we have: • ensured each space and activity is setup to keep people 1. 5 m apart. • put up posters on keeping at least 1. 5 m distance and signs at the entrances to lifts and meeting rooms to ensure the maximum safe capacity is not exceeded. • staggered shifts so less staff are on campus at once. • limited essential face to face learning to small class sizes. • Utilised digital technology for learning and teaching and to hold meetings. 14

How will Cleaning be managed? From the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic the University heightened its cleaning program on campus. As we lift our restrictions to people on campus we will continue with this heightened cleaning program and: • ensured any areas on campus frequented are cleaned at least daily with detergent or disinfectant. • ensured cleaners wear gloves when cleaning and wash their hands thoroughly with soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser before and after wearing gloves. • cleaned frequently touched areas and surfaces several times a day with a detergent or disinfectant solution or wipe. • instructed workers to clean personal property that comes to work, such as sunglasses, mobile phones and i. Pads with disinfectant, such as disinfectant wipes. • provided sufficient cleaning products (including SDS’s) and safe work procedures for cleaning equipment, tools, objects and vehicles between use. 15

How will Hygiene be managed? We will promote handwashing and hygiene as the most important thing you can do to protect yourself. We also: • have hand sanitiser stations at entry and exit points and around the workplace. • ensured bathrooms are well stocked with hand wash and paper towel. • put up posters with instructions on how to hand wash/hand rub. • promoted other ways to limit the spread of germs, including by not touching their face, sneezing into their elbow, and staying home if feeling sick. • Promoted limiting physical contact with others– no shaking hands or touching objects unless necessary. • Tried to limit sharing of equipment, objects, tools or vehicles, but where this is not feasible, provided cleaning products and safe work procedures so that they can be cleaned before and after each use. 16

How will we train or instruct our people? We have: § allocated People Leaders the responsibility for ensuring COVID-19 controls are applied/enforced at all times in their areas of responsibility. § introduced a mandatory COVID-safe return to campus induction for all staff, students, volunteers and contractors to complete before coming on campus. § Introduced mandatory Health Screening on campus to help monitor for symptoms and provide advice on symptoms and what to do. § Put up signs around the workplace advising on risk controls. § Provided Infection Control, PPE and Hygiene training to those undertaking roles which increase the risk of COVID-19 e. g. Flu Clinics, Health Screening etc. § Developed a suite of COVID-19 related Safe Work Procedures for staff. 17

How will we respond to an incident of COVID-19? We have • a dedicated Crisis Management and Recovery Team with members from key operational areas represented to lead the University’s response to COVID-19. • provide information to people on what to do if they suspected they have symptoms of COVID-19 before or on arrival to campus. • developed a Safe Work Procedure for a Suspected or Confirmed case of COVID-19 which outlines the roles and responsibilities for people involved in a incident involving COVID-19 including notification to the Regulator of any work-related case of COVID 19. • access to multiple data collecting systems which we can utilise quickly for contact tracing purposes including building access data. • developed a Safe Work Procedure for a COVID-19 affected area, control and clean in conjunction with our Cleaning Contractors. • encouraged our people to download the COVID-Safe App to support contact tracing 18

How will we support our people’s mental wellbeing? Wellbeing is a critical part of Business Continuity Planning. Continuing to deliver productively and effectively depends on the integrity and health and wellbeing of our people: staff, students, contractors and our other stakeholders. To support the wellbeing of our people we: • prepared a strategy for comprehensive approach to Wellbeing during Covid-19 that prevents harm to our staff, students, contractors and stakeholders. • created a dedicated staff COVID-19 webpage, providing daily updates, with themes on working from home, working on campus, body and mind, looking after family and community, disability and illness, and financial assistance. • created a dedicated student COVID-19 webpage with daily updates, with themes on Financial support, IT support, Study, Assessments and Facilities, Health and Wellbeing, Accommodation, Research support and International student support. • regularly communicate Government and University updates to staff and students (and others where relevant). 19

What’s next? We will • communicate this COVID-Safe Plan to our People Leaders. • create a COVID-Safe webpage of guidance, tools and resources for People Leaders to help implement, monitor and continuously improve our management of COVID-19 risks • regularly review this COVID-Safety Plan as restrictions and risks change. 20

For further information: COVID-Safe webpage