CONTRACTOR UPDATE 5 AUGUST 2020
The next 6-weeks will be extremely challenging for all Victorians as we adapt to the new Stage 4 restrictions which come into effect from 11.59PM on 5 August 2020. No doubt there will be difficult and uncertain times ahead of you and we hope you, your family and friends continue to keep safe and well.
AJ GRANT has set up this page as a means to communicate with you, rather than bombard you with several emails that you may need to reference frequently. We believe this will be a more effective way of keeping you updated on the current status of COVID-19 in Victoria.
We can’t stress enough how important it is that you follow the guidelines in place, not only to protect our community but also our industry. We want to ensure we can support and keep work flowing through to you our contractors, as much as possible.
Please continue to work safely to ensure everyone on site remains safe and well.
** THIS IS A CRITICAL UPDATE - PLEASE READ, UNDERSTAND AND ACTION THE FOLLOWING OR YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK FOR AJ GRANT **
COVID-19 Latest Update
As you all know, The Victorian Premier announced the impending Stage 4 restrictions to business on Monday 3 August 2020 and based on the guidelines released, AJ Grant will conduct assessments, make safe and repairs under the strict guidelines of our COVID Safe Plan for ‘critical repairs to residential premises where required for emergency and safety’. This means we will continue to support our customers and ensure their homes are safe, secure and repaired.
The Insurance Council of Australia (‘ICA’) has met with the Victorian Government to discuss the stage 4 restrictions, with the Government verbally acknowledging the need for some of the critical insurance services to continue on-site work during these restrictions. The ICA has provided the Government with three proposed amendments to the current restrictions, including the proposed adoption of an ‘Addendum B – critical insurance services’. If adopted, these amendments will provide us with significantly greater clarity in respect to the insurance services that we can continue to provide.
AJ Grant will provide further clarity on the restrictions as soon as the Government either accepts, amends or rejects the proposed changes by the ICA.
Although we are continuing to assess and repair homes, we must ensure we are following the strict guidelines in place to ensure the care and wellbeing of our customers, staff and contractors. This is essential and remains the focus of our business.
Permitted Worker Permit
The Government has introduced a ‘Permitted Worker Permit’. From 11.59PM Wednesday 5 August, all representatives of AJ Grant (our employees, contractors and contractor workers) will be required to carry a permit to attend our job sites. AJ Grant has provided you (the principal) with a signed Permitted Worker Permit which you can download by selecting the below image.
Please fill in the sections highlighted in yellow and sign as the ‘employee’, also highlighted in yellow
It is your responsibility to ensure your workers are also carrying the same issued by you. More information, including the template for the permit, can be found here.
Job Site Register
The Government has also introduced the requirement for workplaces to establish and maintain a register of every person who attends our job sites for a period of more than 15 minutes. This includes all workers, including our contractors and any customers, clients and other permitted visitors to the site.
To simplify this process and also ensure that AJ Grant maintains an accurate record, we have created a digital form for you and any of your workers to complete. Our register mirrors the template provided by the Victorian State Government.
You will be required to complete this form daily which can be accessed here.
To accurately register the job sites you and your workers attend, please ensure you follow the steps outlined below: –
- Download the register at the start of each day here
- Enter the details required for the first job site you and/or your workers attend and press submit
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- you will receive an email with a new link that you can use to update the register for each job site you attend that same day.
- you will also receive a PDF version that you can carry to accompany your Permitted Worker Permit with via email
COVID Safe Site
All AJ Grant job sites will operate under the COVID Safe plan for the prevention and management of COVID-19. The Plan outlines the actions required and by who for different scenario’s, such as the wellbeing of our people, physical distancing, hygiene and cleaning etc. All of our staff are well versed in our COVID Safe Plan and understand the role they play to ensure the assessments and repairs we carry out are done so in a safe manner.
A copy of our COVID-19 Safety Plan must be carried with you at all times and easily accessible whilst on site.
You can download a copy of our COVID-19 Safety Plan by selecting the below image.
Site Safety Sign
A COVID Safety Site Sign has also be created, outlining the strict guidelines in place for all workers and visitors to our job sites. Please read through these as these apply to you and your workers, including: –
• You or your workers will not attend site if anyone is displaying flu type symptoms or has a fever greater than 37.3o
• Stay at home when directed and follow the strict quarantine and self-isolation guidelines
• Always maintain 1.5 metres physical distancing whilst on site, including meal breaks
• Restrict the number of works and visitors on site to a maximum of 5 people
• Ensure the required PPE is work at all times – *face masks are mandatory*
A copy of our COVID-19 Safety Sign must be carried with you at all times and displayed on the job site.
You can download a copy of our COVID-19 Safety Sign by selecting the below image.
SWMS
Please ensure you have the appropriate site-specific SWMS relevant to COVID-19 with you at each job site. These SWMS must address any potential COVID-19 risks and what control measures you have in place.
What to do if you or your workers are displaying symptoms of COVID-19
If you or your workers are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or been in contact with anyone who has or is displaying symptoms, you must notify WorkSafe Victoria and let us know by registering your details here
This information will be sent to our WHS department and recorded on our database so we can effectively manage & reduce exposure within our communities.
** PLEASE remember that you are NOT to work on any AJ Grant worksite for a minimum of 14 days, medically cleared and authorised to do so by our WHS Manager. Ensure you also follow the strict quarantine and self-isolation guidelines in place **
Important Contact Details
We understand that you may have questions and/or concerns, therefore, we have provided you with a list of contacts: –
Brianna Way – Procurement Coordinator (Victoria) 0430 862 733
Cara Grambeau – Executive Manager (Victoria) 0451 371 265
By Email – If you prefer to contact us by email contractors@ajgrantgroup.com.au
Important Links
We have included some link that you may find useful: –
Victorian Government COVID-19 Updates: VIC Government Updates
Health & Human Services COVID-19 Updates: Dept of Health COVID Updates
WorkSafe Victoria COVID-19 Updates: WorkSafe VIC COVID Updates
COVID-19 Symptoms: AJ Grant Registration of COVID-19 Symptoms
Permit to Work for Your Workers: Victorian Government Permit to Work Template
Workplace Attendance Register: Victorian Government Workplace Attendance Register