9 Jan - 3 May 2022 / COVID-19

Updated New South Wales Requirements

Government advice at all levels is changing rapidly. Hutchies will continue to communicate the latest relevant requirements to you as soon as information becomes available.

Hutchies' teams working in New South Wales must read the below, implement the changes and circulate the latest Industry Update with all Workers / Subcontractors / Suppliers as a priority. This enables everyone to be on the same page with how positive cases and close contacts are being managed on construction sites in New South Wales.

Other states and territories have slightly different requirements but with the same principles, and these are being communicated separately to those relevant teams.

The processes outlined in this email are based on updated advice since our email on Friday as adopted by the NSW Construction Industry Working Group and following direct advice and support from the NSW Government.

As cases continue to escalate throughout New South Wales, it is important to remember that anyone you interact with could have COVID-19 and everyone should be extra vigilant with COVID safe measures. You should monitor for symptoms – if any develop, stay home and get tested.

If you are unsure about anything, need to report a positive case / close contact, or have questions about COVID-19, please contact Hutchies' Coronavirus Team.

Key changes

> Version 2 of the Industry Process for Managing Positive Cases
> Reporting all cases to Hutchies' Coronavirus Team
> Managing Positive Cases & Notification Templates
> Circulating the Industry Update to Workers / Subbies / Suppliers

What's in this update

> Latest Industry Update (Managing Positive Cases & Contacts)
> Reporting & managing cases
> Time and cost clauses in contracts (for COVID-19)

Download Update
NSWConstructionCOVIDSafe-PositiveCase-Version2-220109.jpg

Industry Update

This latest version includes some updates from the NSW Government but do not fundamentally change our approach:

  • RAT and PCR tests are now both acceptable forms of testing for a 'positive case'
  • Isolation period for confirmed cases is 7 days from the date of their test
  • Isolation may end on day 7 if the person does not have symptoms, they must also wear a mask when interacting with others and avoid high risk settings for a further 3 days

Version 2 / 9 January 2022 (superseding Version 1 / 7 January 2022)

Industry Update

Reporting & managing cases

Report all cases to Hutchies' Coronavirus Team

Please notify us ASAP of all confirmed cases or close contacts that work for Hutchies or have been on one of our sites or in our offices / yards (including Subcontractors / Suppliers / Visitors).

  1. Email coronavirus@hutchies.com.au
  2. Provide their full name (or name of employer only if not Hutchies)
  3. Date Hutchies was notified
  4. Date of test / when symptoms started (if relevant)
  5. If they worked whilst infectious (and if so the dates / times)
  6. If they have tested positive with RAT or PCR or have symptoms

This information is strictly confidential and is only being used for record keeping and to measure the effects of COVID-19 across the company.

Managing a positive case

When teams are advised of a confirmed positive case, Hutchies' sites and offices must report the case.

If the positive case has been on site or in a Hutchies' office / yard potentially whilst potentially infectious (that is 2-3 days before symptoms or a positive test), the team must follow the 'Managing a Positive Case Process' outlined in the latest Industry Update.

Summary for Hutchies' sites
> Managed by Project / Site Management Team or Team Leader
> Report all cases to coronavirus@hutchies.com.au
> If infectious on site, follow Managing a Positive Case Process
> Step 4 must use the Site Notification to notify Workers / Visitors
> Don't alter the notification 'actions' as they align with Health Directions
> Do not identify positive cases in notifications to protect their privacy

Summary for Hutchies' offices / yards
> Managed by Team Leader / Office Champion
> Report all cases to coronavirus@hutchies.com.au
> If infectious in office / yard, follow Managing a Positive Case Process
> Step 4 must use the Office Notification to notify Workers / Visitors
> Don't alter the notification 'actions' as they align with Health Directions
> Do not identify positive cases in notifications to protect their privacy

Time & cost clauses in contracts

If you have any questions about time and cost entitlements for COVID-19 in your building contracts please get in touch with Hutchies' Coronavirus Team.