COVID-19 Pandemic

ELIZABETH GIBSON, General Manager for CMPA provides an update on how the CMPA will continue to support our Members.

Social distancing plays an important part in preventing the spread of the virus, but this affects many CMPA activities, from simple face to face meetings through to the Annual Dinner and AGM.

The following is occurring:

Face to face Workshops/General Meetings are postponed until 1 July 2020 when the decision will be reviewed;

Management Committee and Associate Committee meetings will take place via video conference on a meeting by meeting basis;

Annual Dinner – a decision will be made by 1 July 2020 or earlier;

AGM 2020 – to be held via video conference subject to the CMPA Rules and current legislation if the Annual Dinner is cancelled;

All meetings in Melbourne etc. will now be held by either telephone or video conferencing;

Secretariat has been set up for working from home, when required;

Of course, the CMPA Secretariat will continue to be active on behalf of its Members by:

Seeking Government support for recovery for the extractive industry from COVID-19;

Proposed video conferencing on topics such as the new workplace manslaughter legislation; the new General Environmental Duty EP Act 2017 etc;

Seeking simplification and cost reduction of Extractive Industries Work Plan applications including the Risk-based Work Plan process;

Working with DELWP regarding native vegetation issues;

Seeking realistic and equitable Rehabilitation Bonds;

Ensuring the continued separation of Extractive Industries (quarries) from the mining, coal mining and coal seam gas sectors covered by the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (MR(SD)) Act and its extensive set of related regulations;

Development of various submissions for Government Policies, Regulations and Codes of Practice that impact the future of the extractive industry;

Working with Government to develop mechanisms for identifying and protecting current and future extractive resource assets in planning mechanisms, such as Strategic Extractive Resource Areas (SERAs);

Continuing development of the following Training Manuals: Conduct Sand Wash Operations, Service and Maintain Screens, Service and Maintain Conveyors, Service and Maintain Bulk Feed Bins and Hoppers;

Development of a Water Management Plan template for Quarries;

Development of a Slimes Management in Quarries template;

Providing input to VicRoads on a range of strategic and technical issues through the CMPA/VicRoads Technical Committee;

Development of a Fire Response and Readiness Management Plan template;

Development of a Pest Animal and Weed Management Plan template;

Publishing the bimonthly Sand & Stone magazine

Determining the effectiveness of the Planning Practice Note 89 (Extractive Industry) and

Any other relevant issues put forward by Members as they arise.

Some measures taken by Members include:

1. Machine operators to use antibacterial wipe packs as well as bulk packs and sanitizer spray bottles in the offices.
2. The Liv – Wipes alcohol swabs are also available on sites and are ideal for cleaning fixed and mobile phones, keyboards etc.
3. Avoid having more than one operator in the control room at a time.
4. Phones at truck hold points are to be covered so they are not used. Mobile phones are to be used by drivers. Temporary signage to be put in place noting ‘Use your mobile’ with weighbridge contact number.
5. For the immediate future we will not be carrying out onsite inductions due to the risk of viral infection. This includes truck drivers.
   1. Please be sure any un-inducted people entering the site have safety rules relating to their task explained to them (stay in your truck, wear hard hat, stay clear of plant, PPE….), confirm with management and ensure staff are aware of their presence.
   2. When raising purchase orders ensure the supplier is aware, they must complete online induction before arriving on site.
6. Stop the practice of having drivers sign in each morning face to face at the weighbridge window. When admitting a driver for the first time each day ask 3 key questions by phone to assess them and note on the visitor register:
   1. Are you feeling fit and free of illness that may affect you or others working around you?
   2. Are you well rested, physically and mentally?
   3. Have you consumed alcohol, medication or drugs within the last 12 hours (if yes when and how much)? Discuss with your manager if concerns are raised.
7. Clear the lunchrooms of shared plates, cups, utensils etc. Only ‘single use’ disposables are to be used or employees to provide their own and not to be left in the lunchroom after use unless stored in personal lunch boxes.
8. Ensure microwaves, fridges, cookers, benches, tables, desks, keyboards are wiped down each day as required.
9. Operators are not to share machines or rotate through machines for meal breaks. Cabins must be left clean. Take the time to wipe down controls before and after use each shift.
10. Where possible nominate a tool carrier operator for each day, ensuring the controls are wiped clean after use.
11. Alternate meal breaks and where possible use separate lunch areas.
12. Avoid close contact with others.
13. Avoid use of shared computers.
14. Limit morning toolbox meetings or congregation of people pre-starting each shift. Managers must use white boards to help communicate daily directions.
15. Keep alert of issued health updates. Discuss any concerns or
    ideas/suggestions with managers.
16. If possible, avoid attending high risk events where people congregate, where health alerts have been issued and/or public exposure sites.

The latest COVID-19 information can be found at the following links.

World Health Organisation – Public advice on prevention
https://www.health.gov.au/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/story-streams/coronavirus/

Hotline Help for Businesses Dealing With COVID-19 Impacts
Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15
http://www.business.vic.gov.au

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