Master Builders Victoria is excited that our members can get back to doing what they do best and that is building and construction!

However, whilst the Victorian Government has announced our industry is back to 100%, our team has noticed there are a few inconsistencies in the Directions. We have been liaising with the Government throughout today, and they have taken our feedback on board.

We have been advised by the Government that further amendments to the Directions and advice via the Business Victoria website will be provided as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the Government has confirmed that:

  • renovations can proceed in line with private gathering restrictions of 10 visitors to the home
  • authorised worker permits are no longer required
  • site supervisors can be a Covid Marshal across multiple sites (except large scale)

As always, MBV will provide further advice to members as soon we obtain more information from Government.

With COVIDSafe restrictions still in effect, it is critical that everyone continues to adhere to COVIDSafe directions and maintain such practices across all worksites. 

Compliance with vaccination requirements

Workers at all building and construction sites will need to adhere to the schedule in the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Specified Facilities) Directions, requiring them to have had their first COVID 19 vaccination and a second COVID 19 vaccination dose by 13 November 2021, unless the worker is an excepted person that holds a medical certificate exemption. 

Small-Scale Construction, Large-Scale, Early-Stage Land Development Sites and Critical Essential Infrastructure

1. Comply with the Workplace Directions requirements:

  • The density quotient, and
  • The face coverings and cleaning requirements.

 2. Limit movement of all workers (supervisors and on-site specialists included) between multiple Work Premises that are construction sites, except in relation to:

  • Supervisors on small-scale construction sites, who can move between multiple small-scale construction sites; or
  • Specialist contractors who can move between a maximum of three construction sites per week; or 
  • Specialists that provide safety services; or
  • Auditors, building inspectors, surveyors, or others required to meet minimum statutory obligations or requirements.

 3. Have construction workers working consistently with the same group of other construction workers where reasonably practicable, including (but not limited to): 

  • Developing separate shifts to minimise physical interactions between groups of construction workers into work 
  • Separate construction workers into separate work areas;
  • Dividing up work areas up further into separate groups
  • Providing separate break areas and separate break times for each separate 
  • Requiring teams to use separate entrances and exist from other teams 
  • Where workers are from the same household, confirming they work the same shift, group and work area. 

COVID Safety Plans must be prepared for each worksite

It is mandatory for every Victorian business with on-site operations to have a COVIDSafe Plan. Guidance on the requirements for a COVIDSafe Plan can be found here. 

A COVID Marshal must be available at every worksite

It is required that every worksite has an appointed COVID Marshal available.  

COVID Marshals are responsible for monitoring a worksite’s compliance with its COVIDSafe Plan and additional industry-specific obligations. This includes all the following: 

Business Victoria has a dedicated page that provides further information for COVID Marshals, which indicates that COVID Marshals must complete basic infection control awareness training. Click here for further information.

On small-scale construction sites and early-stage land development sites, due to the limited workforce capacity, a supervisor or site manager can perform the role of COVID Marshal across the multiple sites under their management without the need to have a separate designated COVID Marshal. On large scale construction sites, the COVID Marshal must be on-site at all times.

Master Builders Victoria offers a free online course on ‘Infection Control (Building & Construction). This is a non-accredited course fulfils the basic infection control awareness training requirements of becoming a COVID Marshal. Note: you must also receive formal instruction on your organisation’s COVID Safe Plan. Click here. 

It is recommended COVID Marshals are also trained in First Aid (Level 2). 
 
Please note that COVID Check-in Marshals do not require any role-specific training. 

Displaying public health signs at public entries including face mask signs and density quotient signs 

To ensure that COVIDSafe practices are maintained by all workers and visitors that enter/attend a worksite, it is required that clear signage on COVIDSafe directions be displayed at all entrances to, and in pertinent shared areas on the site.  

This includes signage directing the wearing of face masks, on-site worker density quotients, check-in QR Code, and other signage according to the requirements of the site's COVIDSafe Plan. 

Shared areas are to be cleaned regularly 

To restrict the spread of the virus and to keep workers safe, it is imperative that the shared areas of a worksite (crib rooms, toilets, etc.) be cleaned on a regular basis, including:  

  • Frequently touched surfaces, including toilets and handrails, are cleaned at least twice on any given day; and
  • Surfaces are cleaned when visibly soiled; and
  • If a function is to occur, a reasonable period of time has elapsed since the conclusion of an earlier function to allow for cleaning in between the functions; and 
  • Surfaces accessible to a particular group are cleaned between groups; and

Example: cleaning surfaces between shifts of workers. 

  • Surfaces are cleaned immediately after a spill on the surface. 

Always use the Service Victoria QR Code App for checking in at each worksite 

  • Workers are to check-in using the Service Victoria QR Code App, everytime they attend a worksite.  
  • Proof of vaccination must also be recorded for each worker entering the site.  
  • Workers can now add their COVID-19 digital certificate of vaccination to the Service Victoria app so that, when they check into venues/worksites, the process is easier. 
  • To add a COVID-19 digital certificate to the Service Victoria app, the worker must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have the latest version of the Service Victoria app installed on their phone.
  • Guidance on how to add a digital certificate to the app is available here. 

Wear your mask

It is important to remember that all workers must wear face masks, except when eating or drinking, or unless they have a lawful reason not to wear one. 

Masks must be worn by workers both indoors and outdoors.   

If you are working on-site by yourself, you do not need to wear a face mask. However, if someone else comes on-site, all workers must wear a face mask. 

All workers moving between multiple sites must wear a face mask (indoors and outdoors), check in using the Victorian Government’s QR code app, and observe hygiene measures. 

Face masks are only effective when they are worn and maintained correctly. For example, it is very easy for a face mask to lose its effectiveness if it does not fit, if the front is touched while wearing it, or if it is not washed or disposed of appropriately. 

Compliance 

  • Victorian Government Authorised Officers will be conducting inspections to check that construction sites are complying with the Chief Health Officers Directions. 
  • The Authorised Officers may issue fines where non-compliance is found. 
  • If there are persistent and serious breaches, sites will be shut down. 

For more information and COVID-19 related resources, click here. 

For further more information from the Victorian Government Construction sector guidance click here. 

MBV is here for you. If you have any questions, please call our team on (03) 9411 4555 for assistance.