SafeTree

Fiona’s Blog

On Thursday May 14 New Zealand moves to Covid-19 Alert Level 2. For forestry-related operations, the main differences between Levels 2 and 3 are a slight easing of physical distancing requirements and the ability to travel to other regions.

When planning for Level 2, make sure you discuss and agree any changes in work practices with your people. A key thing to remember is that Covid-19 is still out there. If a member of your team gets sick, the whole team could end up being stood down from work for a fortnight, so think about physical distancing and team sizes.

Below is a summary of some key things to be aware of when working at Level 2, plus links to more detailed information and resoures. These include a register you can use for contact tracing. 

Fiona

Operating at Alert Level 2

COVID-19 is still out there. ‘Play it safe’

• Alternative ways of working are still encouraged where possible.
• Talk with your workers to identify risks and ways to manage them.
• Ask everyone (workers, contractors and visitors) with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay away from work.
• Keep contact-tracing records of anyone who has close interaction (workers, contractors or visitors).
• Clean and disinfect shared surfaces regularly.
• Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
• Remember hygiene protocols when you go home to keep your family safe.

Physical distancing

• People should keep 2 metres distance from people they don’t know.
• Keep physical distancing of 1 metre in other environments, including workplaces.
• Physical distancing of less than 1 metre is considered to be ‘close work’ and can only be considered if there are other controls in place. (To find out more about close work see the Alert Level 2 Update on the Safetree website)

Travel and transport

• People can travel to other regions. Good distancing and hygiene rules must be followed, and records kept of how they travelled and who they were in contact with.
• Minimise the number of stops to the destination and keep at least 2 metres away from people you don’t know.
• Less than 1 metre physical distancing in vehicles is considered as ‘close working’ and must only be done using an appropriate hierarchy of controls such as barriers and PPE. (See the Alert Level 2 Update on the Safetree website)

When deciding whether to relax your travel arrangements consider that if you get a COVID-19 case in your crew:

• That worker will be required to isolate for 14 days,
• All close contacts (all of your crew) will be required to self-isolate for at least 72 hours for testing, and
• Your workplace may be responsible for infecting the communities your workers come from and return to.

See more

On the Safetree site (includes information about ‘close working’ and a register you can download and use for contact tracing)

WorkSafe information on working at Level 2

Covid-19 website