On 26 October the Government has announced that a new risk assessment process will be introduced later this year around workplaces and vaccinations.
In the meantime WorkSafe has provided an interim approach and guidance on risk assessments.
The COVID-19 Publish Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 specifies which work may only be carried out by vaccinated workers. Employers can also require other work to be done by a vaccinated employee, if a risk assessment identifies this is necessary for work health and safety purposes.
That may be the case where the nature of the work itself raises the risk of COVID-19 infection and transmission above the risk faced outside work.
Your focus in the risk assessment must be on the role rather than the individual performing the role. If you want your employees to be vaccinated for reasons other than work health and safety that is an employment matter.
whether the work should be performed by a vaccinated employee. More information on current legislation and employers and employee’s rights and responsibilities can be found here.
Please refer to this guide from WorkSafe about how to carry out a risk assessment. You may need to consult with a workplace health and safety expert to complete this properly.
Under upcoming legislation, workers will be eligible for paid time off to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Employers are encouraged to offer this to employees now.
There is lots of information out there and more legislation to pass in the coming months.
Please contact our office if you have any questions.
