Opening your business at Alert Level 3 – Are you prepared?
COVID-19 / 31 July 2021
![Opening your business at Alert Level 3 – Are you prepared?](https://copelandashcroft.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/coronavirus-4932607_1920-1.jpg)
As areas south of Auckland head into Level 3, our team are on hand nationwide to assist with advice on what this means for your workplace
Business rules for Alert Level 3
The Government has released guidance on operating during Alert Level 3.
Workplace tips to operating safely at Alert Level 3
Below are some practical workplace tips businesses should consider when opening safely during Alert Level 3:
- Check industry guidance on safe work, the Ministry of Health website and covid19.govt.nz
- Check your health and safety obligations and how these will be met
- Consider implementing a Temporary Operations Policy (see further below)
- Determine who will return to work and whether work from home will continue for some workers
- For workers working from home, consider a Working From Home Policy
- Communicate with employees returning to work and identify whether any are currently/what will happen if they later are:
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- in the ‘at risk’ category
- required to self-isolate
- unwell with covid-19 symptoms
- unable to work due to childcare arrangements
- unable to work for any other COVID-19 related reason
- Prepare any health and safety training required e.g. wearing/disposal of PPE, cleaning, return to work refreshers on high risk tasks
- Designate responsibilities for monitoring and reporting on health and safety measures
- Decide how you will communicate instructions and processes to employees
- Conduct pre-work workplace checks e.g., air quality checks, equipment servicing
- Assess and implement additional health and safety controls needed
- Prepare a declaration for workers confirming their disclosure of key information to you, and requiring their compliance with your processes as well as the Government’s requirements outside the workplace
- Consider the issues of vaccinations and whether a Vaccination Policy is needed
Policies?
Policies are a great flexible way to communicate workplace expectations, and we recommend businesses consider implementing:
- Temporary Operations Policy to set out your expectations of staff during different alert levels and the reasonably practicable steps you are taking to ensure your employees are safe;
- COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (plus the necessary risk assessment for roles within the business); and
- Working from Home Policy
Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law and health and safety topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.