The Shrine’s COVIDSafe Plan is the product of ongoing evaluation and review of Victorian public health directions and related advice from the Department of Health and Human Services. Guidance has also been taken from WorkSafe Victoria, Safe Work
Australia Checklists, the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, Victorian Public Sector Coronavirus (COVID-19), guidance notes and industry specific advice from the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Creative Victoria and Visit Victoria.

In line with WorkSafe advice on good OHS practice in planning for a pandemic we have:

• kept informed and up to date on pandemic information through monitoring official channels of information and liaising with our key stakeholders;
• educated and kept employees up to date with regular communication on the pandemic, where to get information and the actions they can take to help control risk and work attendance and arrangements;
• undertaken OHS risk management by managing the direct and indirect risks to our staff, volunteers and community; and
• incorporated OHS preparations and risk control measures into our Business Continuity Plan and reviewed and evaluated risk control measures.

Our people and our COVIDSafe Plan:

• Staff have returned, and will continue, to work onsite as permitted.
• Communication with employees, volunteers and our community is crucial in the successful conduct of operations. Management support is ongoing, and staff are reminded of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Staff will use the existing incident reporting system to report any COVID-19 related incidents or near misses.
• A COVID-19 FAQ information sheet was prepared for staff and is supplemented with regular communications from the management group (CEO, directors and managers).
• Volunteers have returned to site in response to the resumption of our physical education program.

WorkSafe identifies the following employer and employee obligations for health and safety during a pandemic.

• Under the OHS Act, employers have a duty of care and are required to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety at work of their employees. These measures to ensure the health and safety of employees at work have been incorporated into our business continuity planning for pandemic. Detailed plans are included in Sections 4 and 6 of this plan.
• Consultation with employees: Employers must consult with their employees when assessing a risk to the health and safety of employees. Consultation is also
  required in the selection and application of control measures. The Shrine’s
  Occupational Health and Safety Committee will continue be part of the ongoing evaluation of our COVIDSafe Plan.
• Employees also have duties under the OHS Act to co-operate with their employer in
  implementing risk control measures. They must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure they don’t do anything that creates or increases a risk to the health
  and safety of themselves or others.
• The Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance note from the Victorian Public Sector outlines that employees have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and to not adversely affect the health and safety of others. Employees
  must practice good hygiene and take measures to protect themselves and others against infection including:
  • washing their hands often, with soap and water, and/or carrying sanitiser and using it as needed
  • covering their mouth when coughing or sneezing, but not using their hands to do so
  • seeing a health care professional if they start to feel unwell
  • if unwell, avoiding contact with others (including shaking hands or other touching)
  • practising physical distancing measures.

The Shrine has undertaken detailed planning to ensure compliance with Victorian Government restrictions is provided for and maintained.

Measures for each of the key visitor functions: ceremonial services, general visitation, tours and retail, are outlined in Section 6.

Safe Work Australia Checklists and COVIDSafe Plan Guidance have been used as a reference.

Vaccination requirements

The Shrine will comply with Victorian Government vaccination requirements applicable to
the category of workplace that includes the Shrine. In general:

• Shrine Personnel are required to be fully vaccinated to attend site. Personnel will be required to supply / demonstrate proof of vaccination to be permitted to attend site.

Personnel onsite

• Vaccination requirements may mean that unvaccinated staff and volunteers are not permitted to work or provide their services at the Shrine.
• If health directions require staff to work from home, this will be facilitated where possible and practical.

Opening to general visitors

• Visitors may access all public areas.
• The total capacity of the monument will not exceed any applicable density quotient
  limits.
• Hand sanitiser is provided for use upon entry.

Ceremonial Program

• Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) are advised by the Ceremonial Program Manager in advance to ensure they’re aware of any COVIDSafe measures in place.
• Live-streaming of services will continue to ensure that our community can still participate in commemoration. Onsite streaming can accommodate additional attendees as required.

Education Programs

• We will consider Department of Education advice in facilitating school excursions onsite.
• Onsite education programs may be offered in a modified format including reduced duration and number of groups per hour and options to focus on external features of the monument

• A virtual Education Program is available to any school that wishes to visit but is unable to do so physically.

Public Programs

• Programming – including special exhibitions, book launches, talks and events – will operate under the same guidelines and measures adopted for general visitors.

The Shrine’s COVIDSafe plan is published on the Shrine’s website. Where required, information on new restrictions or guidelines will be communicated via online channels and onsite signage.

As part of planning and preparedness we have applied our risk management principles: identifying and rating the likely risks associated with being open to general visitors and carrying out our programming face to face, as well as having staff and volunteers back onsite.

The control measures in place are detailed below and those specific to each directorate are outlined in Section 6.

Physical distancing

• Return to the workplace for fully vaccinated staff and volunteers.
• Minimising physical contact in the workplace.
• Maintaining any applicable density quotient capacity limits.
• Providing for and supporting the use of telephone or video conferencing.
• Encouraging the use of outdoor locations for face-to-face meetings.

Hygiene measures

Transmission can be reduced by undertaking additional cleaning at the workplace and supporting good personal hygiene:

• We continue to provide information and resources to employees to reinforce and support good personal hygiene.
• Staff are provided with their own uniform—no uniform items are shared.
• Hot desking or sharing of equipment is minimised as much as possible.
• Cleaners are providing additional cleaning during the day and overnight. During operating hours, regular sanitisation of high use surfaces is completed, e.g. handrails, touchscreens, doorknobs and lift buttons.
• Hand sanitisation stations are provided for visitors supported by signage in bathrooms encouraging hand washing.
• Staff are provided with hand sanitisers in communal areas and regular hand washing is encouraged.
• Sneezing and coughing good practice is communicated and encouraged.
• Medical waste bins are in each main office for the safe disposal of used masks and gloves.

Personal protective equipment

The Victorian Public Sector Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance note states that while employers are responsible for minimising risk to their teams by making available appropriate PPE such as gloves, masks and eye protection, the provision of PPE is to be based on the level of risk.

Face Masks

Facemasks will be worn as directed. A supply of PPE is kept onsite and additional PPE is provided to First Aiders.

Appointment of Pandemic Disease Manager(s)

WorkSafe recommends the appointment of a Pandemic Disease Manager. A pandemic disease manager (and backup managers) direct and monitor preparation, implementation and management of the implementation of risk control systems. Due to the complex nature of our workplace and the small number of staff, the executive team are fulfilling the role of pandemic disease manager.

Notwithstanding the nomination of the PDM, established lines of operational authority are unchanged. Managers continue to be responsible for managing the activities of their staff, including activities relating to the implementation and operation of this COVIDSafe Plan.

Control disease transmission in the workplace

Guidelines for restricting entry to the workplace of persons who may have been infected with a pandemic disease or who have a relatively high risk of contracting it:

• If Personnel have symptoms, they must get tested as required by the Victorian Government.
• Any member of Personnel who tests positive for COVID-19 is not to attend work. They are to notify their manager or director and either work from home or take Personal Leave or Special Leave (if eligible) and complete the mandated quarantine period.
• Any member of Personnel who is a household contact of a positive COVID-19 case must follow current advice on notifying the workplace, testing and use of masks.

On confirmation that a member of Personnel has tested positive for COVID-19 and been in the workplace during their infectious period (currently 48hours prior to development of symptoms). The Pandemic Disease Manager will follow all DHHS guidance. Additionally, the following specific actions will be taken:

The responsible manager will

• inform all staff that an infectious staff member attended the workplace and advise to test for COVID-19 if they are symptomatic. Note:the infectious staff member is now required to notify any persons they deem as contacts

Manage the situation when employees become ill at work

Employees who report or show symptoms while at work will:

• Be isolated from others and directed to get tested.
• Given a disposable surgical mask to wear as an interim measure before they leave the workplace. It is essential the mask is worn correctly and disposed of as soon as it becomes moist or after coughing or sneezing.
• Support the employee to leave the workplace to get tested and then go immediately home (not using public transport).

Ventilation and air conditioning

The Shrine has museum-grade air conditioning. Increased air exchange will be supported through opening internal doors where this does not disrupt the function of the AC system.

Manage the indirect risks arising from changes to usual work arrangements

• Anxiety among employees—The Shrine provides access to EAP services, clear and regular communication on the measures put in place and provides resources to support employees.
• Employees not being aware of current arrangements—Effective communication strategies will include: staff meetings and emails from the CEO, emails and calls and texts from directors and managers, regular briefings at work to those working onsite and newsletters for our volunteers. The Shrine intranet will include all current advice and information for staff on the home page.
• Unfamiliar work and workloads—As we respond to a dynamic and rapidly changing environment we have had to and will continue to make changes to how, when and where work is performed and by whom. Employees may have been, and may continue to be, required to undertake different duties for a period within their skill and classification level. Employees may need to be reassigned to priority tasks that are unfamiliar to them. These employees may be particularly susceptible to injury while adjusting to the new work, particularly psychological injury and body stressing injury (e.g., manual handling sprain / strain and occupational overuse injury). Control measures for these risks will include: consultation, training, clear performance expectations, close supervision and support. We are aware that some of our employees may have concerns and reservations about working with members of the public who may have been exposed to or infected with coronavirus. Consultation, communication and a supportive environment will be key to ensuring our team are comfortable and confident in their work.

The following outlines provide additional information regarding actions to be implemented for each program

Visitor Experience

Accountable Officer: Naias Mingo

The following outlines provide additional information regarding actions to be implemented for the Visitor Experience.

Public Programs

Accountable Officer: Sue Burgess

The following outlines provide additional information regarding actions to be implemented for Public Programs.

Comments

• Education – have access to requisite PPE as required.
• Presentations – programs to be hybrid where possible.

Corporate Services

Accountable Officer: Greg Gilmour

The following outlines provide additional information regarding actions to be implemented for Corporate Services.

Download a copy of the information provided above:

Office of CEO

Accountable Officer: Dean Lee

The following outlines provide additional information regarding actions to be implemented for the Office of CEO.

Download a copy of the information provided above:

1. Shrine Workplace Contact Questionnaire
2. Contact management guidance for workplaces, business and industry.