COVID-19 Update

As with many Western Australian small businesses, we understand there will be significant impacts from the COVID -19 virus. As always, the safety of all our employees is our first priority. Their wellbeing and the safe continuity of our operations will continue to be the guiding force in everything we do.

We have a dedicated COVID-19 task force including a Human Resources professional and a Psychologist who will join with us to monitor and support the physical and mental wellbeing of our people.

We are closely monitoring developments in relation to COVID-19 and are ensuring we are as prepared as we can be through active business continuity planning so that we can care for our people and our customers with minimal disruption.  

This document outlines the steps we are taking as a business include the following.

Communication

We have been proactive during the last few weeks in providing our staff with the latest information about COVID-19, based on daily updates from Commonwealth and State governments and health departments. pecific information has been provided to our staff about the symptoms of COVID 19 and the actions they can take to minimise the possibility of contracting and spreading the virus. This information includes:

The common symptoms:

  • Fever,

  • Cough,

  • Sore throat,

  • Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Additional symptoms which may include muscle aches, headache, nausea and diarrhoea.

Ensuring all staff are aware that the disease is spread from human to human contact - from a sick person to others who are in close contact through contaminated respiratory droplets (either directly or indirectly). Actions can be taken to avoid potential exposure.

If a staff member develops symptoms they:

  • Do not come to work

  • Get tested for COVID, even if symptoms are mild

Staff are also required to disclose if they have been in close contact with a person who has or is being tested for COVID-19.

Actions

We urge everyone to avoid potential exposure and maintain good personal hygiene including:

  • Washing hands frequently with soap and water,

  • Carrying hand sanitiser containing 60-85% alcohol for use when soap and water are not readily available,

  • Avoiding touching your face,

  • Avoiding personal contact (including shaking hands, kissing people, hugs),

  • Covering mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing – into elbow or into a clean tissue which is then disposed of immediately,

  • Wearing a mask while indoors or when travelling in a vehicle with others.

Physical distancing:

  • The importance of physical distancing to reduce person-to-person contact for our staff and customers. Adjustment and planning of work flows and task management will ensure our distancing rule of 1.5 metres is achieved. This distancing extends to staff travelling in vehicles and we are using additional vehicles to limit one person per vehicle unless truck cab capacity allows observance of the 1.5 metre rule,

  • In enclosed spaces, one person per 4 square metres.

Additionally, we have implemented specific workplace measures to further enhance the safety and wellbeing of our people.

These include:

  • A personal supply of soap, sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and hand towel to each employee, which is not to be shared and now forms part of each individual’s PPE. To be used at the completion of every job as a minimum,

  • Increased environmental cleaning – this includes the cleaning and disinfecting of vehicle/truck cabs, all “high touch” surfaces on plant and equipment, desks, keyboards, phones, bathrooms – as often as desired or at a minimum of once per day or whenever a change of user occurs,

  • Enhancing the flow of fresh air in our premises and in vehicles, by opening windows and reducing reliance on air-conditioning,

  • Displaying education materials, including posters and products to promote and support  the adoption of behavioural changes by our employees,

  • SafeWA QR Code at the entry of our premises for all visitors to scan.

COVID-19 Vaccination

Pineshore Holdings Pty Ltd (trading as Mr Pothole and C & H Sweeping) are in compliance with the Western Australian Government issued Directions mandating COVID-19 vaccination requirements for Building and Construction Sites that came into effect on 1 January 2022.

 We have communicated to our staff and subcontractors that Government Health Directions are law within Western Australia and therefore from 31 January 2022, every person employed or subcontracted by Pineshore Holdings Pty Ltd to complete work will need to be ready to show evidence they have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or have a Government approved exemption.

Pineshore Holdings Pty Ltd are maintaining a COVID-19 Vaccination Register and copies of vaccination certificates of all employees.

Conclusion

This COVID 19 management plan and its implementation is a shared responsibility of all the employees of Mr Pothole and all staff have committed to its implementation and maintenance.

Our plan will continue to evolve in response to daily updates from State and Commonwealth health authorities

All our customers will receive signed declarations from all our employees working on a site to confirm they are well. 

At Mr Pothole, we believe we are well placed to manage the current COVID-19 health crisis while maintaining the exceptional level of service, quality and reliability for which we are renowned in our 30 years of service to Western Australia.