Victorian union and employer groups back COVID-19 safety campaign

As the construction industry in Metropolitan Melbourne moves into the ‘restricted’ phase of site working conditions a group of unions and employer associations are backing a collaborative safety campaign.

The campaign has seen workplace resources translated into 15 different languages and cultural contexts so workers of all backgrounds can easily access important information on COVID-19 safety.

Downloadable on-site information is provided to all employers and workers across a range of groups and a social media campaign has also been launched, which each member of the group will promote through their various channels.

This comes as Victoria’s Big Build has implemented a range of safety initiatives on project sites, including frequent COVID-19 testing to crews.

As part of a 100-day testing blitz a testing bus is travelling to Big Build worksites across the state. Other initiatives include daily temperature checks, on-site bluetooth tracking technology and a rapid response team to help with testing and contact tracing.

CCF Victoria has joined the campaign and other members include the Australian Constructors Association, Master Builders Victoria, Master Plumbers and more.

The group worked with Cultural Pulse, a multicultural agency to develop the messages and deliver the communications through multicultural groups and digital channels to ensure everyone understand the importance of operating in a COVID safe manner.

The campaign will cover different phases over the coming weeks and months, from safety and hygiene on the worksite to the need for those practices to be observed away from work in the household, to help protect the safety of individuals, their work colleagues and their livelihoods.

The resources have been translated to the following languages; English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi, Dari, Pashto, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Korean, Indonesian, Croatian, Greek, Sinhalese and Farsi.

John Kilgour, CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation Victoria said our industry engagement as a united group of employer associations and unions has been critical in supporting the safety and wellbeing of all workers during this crisis.

“This is another important initiative that demonstrates our continued commitment to provide a COVID safe work environment on all construction sites,” he said.

Rebecca Casson, CEO of Master Builders Victoria said our industry has led the way on COVID-19 safety practices over the last seven months, but the easing of restrictions does not mean our sector can rest on its laurels.

“This is a fresh campaign aimed to overcome any fatigue in our community and will be dynamic in its messaging over the next few months to ensure worksites remain vigilant, safe, and open to lead Victoria’s economic recovery,” she said.

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