20 July 2020 / COVID-19

Melbourne & NSW Mask Use

The Deputy CMO, Dr Nick Coatsworth, has just announced at a press conference that mask use is advised in the Melbourne and Mitchell local government areas that are currently locked down, when people are in a situation where they cannot maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people.  

He said this is only applicable to those areas due to the current community transmission occurring in those areas.

The VIC Premier has just announced that mask use when outside of one’s house will now be mandatory for all people over the age of 12 living in all Melbourne and Mitchell LGAs as of this Wednesday 22 July, at 11.59pm.

Fines of $200 will be given out to people not wearing one outside of their house. However, it was noted that in some circumstances it will be impractical to wear one so “common sense will guide the rules”.

Masks do not have to be hospital grade – any facial covering including scarves will do.

The VIC Premier also noted that 80% of new cases in recent weeks have been due to transmission at workplaces. It is hoped that this new rule of mandatory mask wearing will drive down workplace transmission.

NSW Health has echoed the below sentiment regarding mask use.

That is – for anyone outside of their home and won’t be able to adequately socially distance, it is advised to wear a mask.

At this point in time it is advice only but may change to a direction if community transmission increases.

Other Recent Activities

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9 April / Meetings
All Company Update / April 2025

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' All Company Update.

A copy of the presentation slides is available to download below.

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31 March / Update
Work Health and Safety Management Plan / Version 16

All construction projects over $250K need a site-specific WHS Management Plan to ensure processes are in place to reduce health and safety risks.

The WHS Management Plan has been updated to align with Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: Construction work.

The language has been refined to be clearer about the legal and other requirements that must be followed on site.

Actions

Projects with more than 3 months left must update the WHSMP and appendices by 30 April 2025.

Projects with less than 3 months should review the amendment register and make any relevant updates to the current plan.

Team HSE Managers

  • Coordinate the update of the plan and all appendix documents in consultation with the project team
  • Ensure proper archiving of superseded plans (2 years following project completion)

Project Manager

  • Ensure plans are updated within the 3 month period and approved for use

Project Teams

  • Update the WHS Management Plan with the Team HSE Manager
  • Communicate the update to subcontractors 
  • Maintain updated hard copy of WHS Management Plan on site 

Team Leaders 

  • Where the team does not have a Team HSE Manager, the Team Leader is required to oversee this process and all updates

Further updates

The following guidance material has also been updated. A full list of amendments can be found here.

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