Infection Control in the Workplace

​Australia has worked hard to reduce the infection rate of Covid-19 and as Melbourne prepares to move out of Stage 4 lock down and businesses start to reopen, we all need to consider how we are going to operate within the new Covid normal.  We need to learn to exist in this strange new world in a manner that supports all the hard work that has gone into reducing infection numbers and the unknown community transmission cases because the virus is still present and is likely to be around for a long time to come.  

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So how do we live with a highly contagious and harmful virus that shut down the world almost overnight?  We all know that the race is on to produce a vaccine that will provide significant protection from COVID-19 but when it will be ready is unknown.  What it will really come down to – and will still be required even when the vaccine is readily available – is personal and business responsibility around infection control.

As we start to venture past our own front gates and back into the workspace, it needs to be made clear that we are all responsible for infection control and it doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of business owners and leaders.  While businesses will be required to have a Covid Safe plan in place and managers need to be very clear on their role and responsibility around managing Covid risks and possible contacts, all employees will be responsible for ensuring they are adhering to effective and applicable hygiene practices that keep colleagues and clients safe.  

As a business leader, how do you ensure your team are up to speed with the latest knowledge and why is it of benefit to you?  Well, we are so glad you asked!  

INFECTION CONTROL TRAINING - CROSS-SECTOR INFECTION CONTROL SKILL SET - BSBSS00095
We’ve been fortunate enough to connect with Sharell Bertram who is a Workforce Solutions Business Partner based at Chisolm Institute in Dandenong.  Sharell is overseeing a free course that provides significant Infection Control Training that is a free, short accredited online course that your team can complete online either before or as they return to the workplace.  

After completing the course, your employees will be able to: 

• follow standard and additional precautions for infection prevention and control
• identify infection hazards and assess risks
• follow procedures for managing risks associated with specific hazards.

Participants will also develop a range of skills including:

• hand hygiene practices
• effective surface cleaning
• use of personal protective equipment
• disposal of contaminated waste
• hazard identification, control and reporting
• appropriate protocols and responses in the event of an incident
• knowledge regarding the basis of infection and transmission.

On completion, your employees will receive a Statement of Attainment for the nationally accredited unit: BSBWHS332X - Apply infection prevention and control procedures to own work activities.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
It’s simple really, if everyone in your business takes responsibility for managing and reducing the risk of infection, you reduce the risk of your business being shutdown for contact tracing and deep cleaning while your staff go into isolation.  You protect your team; you protect your clients and you protect your business.  

For further information, you can click here but we highly recommend you contact Sharell Bertram directly via phone or email to register interest or for group bookings – she’ll be able to make the process easy for you.

​If you do require any further support in bringing your people back to the workplace and setting your business up to reopen, contact the team at HR Staff n’ Stuff to discuss your individual needs.  

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