COVID-19 Safety Plan
Approach for Vulnerable Staff
There are some members of our workforce who fall into the category of vulnerable people who are at risk of more serious illness.
The Government includes the following people in that category:
- Older people: People aged 70 years and over, people aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions, people with compromised immune systems and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50
- People with Chronic conditions:
- Chronic renal failure
- Coronary heart disease
- Congestive cardiac failure
- Chronic lung disease such as severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, suppurative lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic emphysema
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Poorly controlled hypertension
- Immune system conditions that put you at greater risk
You are at increased risk at any age if your immune system is significantly weakened:
- Due to haematologic neoplasms such as leukemias, lymphomas and myelodysplastic syndromes
- Post-transplant, if you have had a solid organ transplant and are on immunosuppressive therapy
- Post-transplant, if you have had a haematopoietic stem cell transplant in the last 24 months or are on treatment for graft versus host disease (GVHD)
- By primary or acquired immunodeficiency including HIV infection
- By having chemotherapy or radiotherapy
People with a disability
- Some people with disability have higher rates of health issues including chronic conditions and weakened immune system
- Many people with disability rely on support and assistance from family members, carers and support workers
Any staff member who falls into the category of vulnerable people who are at risk of more serious illness from the virus should make their own decision regarding returning to site, based on advice from their medical practitioner.
If the advice is not to attend site, and their role is able to be undertaken via working from home, then they may do so upon completing the required forms.
If work is unable to be performed from home, then leave must be accessed. Paid COVID-19 leave may apply once all leave entitlements have been utilised.
