New national safety guidelines for Australia’s heavy construction materials industry have been released to help protect employees, contractors and the community during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The guidelines came into effect on 27 March and aim to ensure the longer-term viability of the industry.
They were compiled by the construction materials industry representative body, Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia (CCAA).
CCAA CEO Ken Slattery said the production and distribution of heavy construction materials were essential to the continuing operations of a large part of the Australian economy, from the building of hospitals and schools to completion of major road projects.
“As an industry, we also have a paramount responsibility for the health and wellbeing of all our employees, contractors and the community at large,” Slattery said.
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“That is why CCAA has drawn up these new business continuity guidelines, following consultation over the past few days with our members, medical experts and Federal and State government agencies.”
Slattery said the guidelines provided factual and practical recommendations on how to manage production facilities, such as cement batching plants and quarries, as well as recommendations for drivers and administration personnel.
He said the suggestions ranged from encouraging administration staff to work remotely and the introduction of staggered working shifts and meal times, to how cement truck drivers can minimise contact at delivery sites.
“We all have a role to play in tackling this national crisis and in ensuring the safety of our community as well as the long-term viability of our social and economic infrastructure,” he said.
A copy of the new guidelines can be found here.