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A reminder of some important information about the construction restart

This message is to remind you of some important information about the construction restart.

The Victorian Government's COVIDSafe restart of the construction industry starts today.

Construction site operators must complete the COVIDSafe construction declaration before returning to work.

The declaration details the COVID related health and safety responsibilities site operators must uphold at all worksites.

From today

All construction sites

  • All workers must have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • All critical and essential infrastructure sites can reopen and return to 100 per cent of their workforce if crib rooms have best practice approaches including ventilation and density limits
  • Crib rooms may only be used in line with best practice guidelines.
  • Crib room best practice guidelines include following the ‘COVID-19 Best practice approaches for safe worker amenities on construction sites’ including density quotient of one person per four square metres; and additional ventilation so that entire air volume of the room replaced or filtered every 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Operators must have worker shift bubbles where practical.

Small-Scale Construction Sites

  • A small-scale site is capped at five people plus a supervisor.
  • COVID Marshals on small scale construction sites may be a site supervisor who performs the role of COVID Marshal for multiple sites at the same time.
  • Workers on small scale construction sites may travel between metropolitan Melbourne or an LGA under lockdown restrictions and regional Victoria to work if they are fully vaccinated or an excepted person.

Large-scale construction sites and State-critical infrastructure projects

  • At all critical and essential infrastructure sites, crib rooms must meet best practice standards or be closed.
  • Large-scale sites are capped at:
    • 25 per cent of the workforce, or
    • 50 per cent, if crib rooms meet best practice standards and all workers are fully vaccinated (or an excepted person).
  • Workers on large-scale or State-critical infrastructure projects are permitted to travel between metropolitan Melbourne or an LGA under lockdown restrictions and regional Victoria to work on construction sites if they have received at least one vaccination dose, unless they are an excepted person. However, workers who have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine must be tested before crossing between metropolitan Melbourne or an LGA under lockdown restrictions and regional Victoria and they must get tested twice a week, with at least 72 hours between each test, until they receive their second dose (unless they are an excepted person).

Early stage land development sites

  • Early development sites are capped at 20 workers per hectare, subject to the controls specified above for all sites.
  • Workers on early development sites may travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to work if they have received at least one vaccination dose. However, workers who have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine must be tested before crossing between metropolitan Melbourne or an LGA under lockdown restrictions and regional Victoria and they must get tested twice a week, with at least 72 hours between each test, until they receive their second dose (unless they are an excepted person).

From 70 per cent double dose (estimated 26 October)

  • Large scale sites can go to 100 per cent if all workers on site are fully vaccinated.

From 80 per cent double dose (estimated 5 November)

  • Workforce restrictions that limit the number of workers onsite and movement between sites will be removed, if those workers are fully vaccinated.
  • Pre-existing requirements such as COVIDSafe Plans will remain in place.
  • All construction workers must be fully vaccinated by 13 November.

To book a vaccination through state-run centres, or to see links for how to book at your local GP or pharmacy, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine

The Victorian Government’s dedicated Industry Engagement and Enforcement Operation will continue to enforce workplace directions, targeting areas of high non-compliance or health risk.

Construction businesses can expect a visit at any time from Authorised Officers, who can issue fines and enforce closures.

For more information, visit the construction sector COVIDSafe restart plan.