Work health and safety
Existing work health and safety laws do not provide any requirements for employers in managing their workforce during an outbreak. It only provides necessary obligations for the welfare of the workplace setting. It also covers the welfare of individuals who are in one way connected with the workplace.
The workplace is a broad concept and can even extend beyond the limits of the physical workplace. Provided that employers may not have direct control over such matters, they have the discretion on how to decide and act upon the welfare of the employees. One of the strategic measures common in such settings would be the risk assessment and control measures in different work environments. For instance, the coronavirus pandemic gave employers the capacity to consider different aspects as to how to conduct business.
Adopting control measures is the preliminary step for employers to ensure the welfare of their employees. Especially during the pandemic, employers have the due diligence to exercise power over business activities through WHS laws compliance. Devoting sufficient support for the workforce to manage the risk posed by the pandemic is one example.
At the same time, workers are predisposed to observe compliance with the laws by securing their safety at all times. It is their responsibility as well to follow the rules provided by their respective employers. Lastly, considering mandatory reporting obligations must be done. In Australia, employers should conduct an overall assessment and immediately notify authorities whenever the risk of Coronavirus is impending.
