Browsing: Coronavirus, COVID-19 | Page 26

The absence of government orders mandating COVID-19 vaccinations does not prevent employers from implementing a mandatory workplace vaccination policy where this is critical to staff safely performing their roles, according to a senior WHS and employment lawyer.

Many people infected with COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms after four weeks, and sometimes months, complicating their return to work. Managers play a vital role in ensuring they are safely reintegrated into the workplace, according to Europe's peak work safety body.

• Workplaces demand injury protections for COVID vaccine rollout; and
  
• Mobile phone breaches to be caught by permanent cameras in Qld.

NSW has extended its COVID-19 lockdown and face mask rule for work offices, while Western Australia has retained its workplace face mask requirement under easing restrictions, and Tasmania is applying its check-in rule to more types of venues. Victoria is dropping its face mask rule for many workplaces tomorrow night.

• FIFO worker handed COVID fine for leaving room;
  
• Fatality fine and blitz send height warning to employers; and
  
• Asbestos-levy cut to save businesses $1.2m in Tas.

All NSW workplaces including offices and warehouses will be required to comply with the State's QR code system for the COVID-19 pandemic within a matter of days, under a plan to protect workers and quickly emerge from the current lockdown.

A worker who claims he failed a workplace breathalyser test because he had consumed medicated throat lozenges, and says he refused to undergo an earlier test because of COVID-19 concerns, has been denied an unfair dismissal remedy in the Fair Work Commission.

With Australia's new mandatory COVID-19 vaccination protocol appearing likely to be extended to multiple industries, unions have called for "in-workplace" vaccinations for at least one sector, while a WHS regulator has reminded duty holders to consult its guidance on the pandemic.

• NSW restores work-from-home COVID-19 requirement; and
  
• OHS changes flagged for anti-harassment plan in Vic.

• Workplace face masks mandated in NSW; and
  
• Budget boosts WHS regulatory activities in NSW.