These are the most important things that you can remember and do:
- Keep your distance from other people in public.
- Adhere to face covering requirements.
- If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to work or school. Don’t socialise.
- If you have symptoms of cold or flu call your doctor or Healthline and get advice about being tested.
- Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
- Regularly disinfect surfaces.
- If you have been told to self-isolate you must do so immediately.
- Keep a track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.
What are we doing?
Our organisers have been working with employers on their pandemic planning, particularly those agencies on the frontline of dealing with the risk of infection. We are continuing to work through issues with government agencies and employers that relate to your safety and your rights, including around redeployment.
If you are concerned your employer is not following appropriate health and safety measures on workplace prevention, travel, social distancing or isolation, contact your site delegates, health and safety reps or your employer. If you require urgent support contact the PSA on 0508 367 772 or enquiries@psa.org.nz.
Health & Safety during Covid-19
The pandemic is a health and safety issue for many workers. The PSA is communicating with your employers regularly to ensure there are workplace safety controls in place. You are also encouraged to do this through your delegates, Health and Safety reps, and management using mechanisms established in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Prevention is of course preferable, so follow Ministry of Health guidance for infection control and social isolation, as well as systematic cleaning of surfaces.
If you are concerned your employer is not following appropriate health and safety measures on workplace prevention, travel, social distancing or isolation, contact your site delegates, health and safety reps or your employer. If you require urgent support contact the PSA on 0508 367 772 or enquiries@psa.org.nz
Vaccine mandate information
Vaccinations are a vital tool in the Covid-19 toolbox.
They are the main way we can all contribute to keeping ourselves, our whānau and our communities safe from Covid-19.
We encourage all working people to receive a Covid-19 vaccination if they can. The public health advice is that vaccines significantly reduce the infection rate, the impacts of the illness and save lives. Vaccinations are a collective action; they work best when we all get them.
If you are not sure about whether you should get the Covid-19 vaccination, we advise you to check the evidence and what the experts say. Having a chat with your health practitioner is a good place to start. We can send you some links to trusted information.
Health and safety
It is vital that union members are involved in all health and safety planning. Your employer must have health and safety policies in the workplace that are in line with public health advice. This includes the use of masks/face-coverings, infection prevention and control measures and physical distancing, and other personal protective equipment based on risk.
Employers must work with the union, delegates, and health and safety representatives to develop and consult on a risk assessment based on roles, not individuals.
We encourage union members to discuss their ideas and issues for health and safety at work with their health and safety reps and delegates.
Employer mandated vaccine policy and unvaccinated members
We will support you to make sure your employer follows a fair process.
Employers need to make sure workers have access to detailed and expert information to enable an informed choice about the vaccine.
Where employers are considering mandating vaccines in the workplace, they must undertake a robust role-based risk assessment process that includes engagement with unions and workers. Please contact the PSA if this is occurring in your workplace.
Where employers decide to mandate the vaccine, they must also consult on employment policies and have these in place to work with any worker who remains unvaccinated. Workers need to be informed of any possible employment outcomes due to mandating the vaccination in the workplace and employers need to discuss and consult with workers and their unions about this.
Government mandated vaccines and unvaccinated members
Your employer should follow a fair process in this situation.
This will include making sure employers provide detailed and expert information about vaccination, and that members are well informed of the possible employment outcomes.
Where possible employers should work with workers and unions to explore alternative work patterns and redeployment opportunities.
If you remain unvaccinated, and other options are not safe or available, your employment may be terminated.
Health & Disability Worker Vaccinations Order
- Read the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 Legislation
- Download the Guidance document for PCBUs and workers here.
- Read the DHB COVID-19 Workforce resources and FAQs
