Is this a green light for the construction industry?

CHASNZ, supported by a construction industry advisory group has revised the previous COVID-19 Alert Level system construction protocols in response to the Government’s recently announced COVID-19 Protection Framework – also known as the Traffic Light system.

The new Traffic Light protocols replace the current Residential, Vertical and Horizontal Protocols from December 3rd, 2021. The Alert Level system protocols will still be available online as resources in the case of the Government applying any future regional or national Alert Level 4 or 3 conditions.

Key Features

These Protocols are expected to develop and evolve as requirements change from Government and industry experience and are to be treated as live working documents, which will indicate what we need to do to operate and plan for the kinds of restrictions we may be required to put in place.

Key features of the new Traffic Light Protocols include:

  • Simpler layout showing the protocols appropriate for each Traffic Light colour
  • Links to key resources which can be printed out as posters
  • Guidance on how to assist workers mental health at work or while isolating Guidance on risk assessment for whether work needs to be carried out by a fully vaccinated worker
  • Guidance on controls to mitigate risk when vaccinations are not required
  • Guidance on what to do when COVID-19 presents on your construction site

Further resources and assistance will be available in the coming weeks that cover practical uses of the Protocols. Further Government advice on how risk assessments should be used will follow as well as information on the Traffic Light colour for each region.

Current advice from Government on the use of the future Government risk assessment tool (which will be available after 15th December 2021) is:

“This new process won’t override risk assessments that businesses have already done under the existing health and safety guidelines. Businesses can choose which one they use, and any assessments done to date remain valid.” Hon Michael Wood, 23rd November 2021, Media Statement.

Traffic Light Protocols

Special thanks to the CHASNZ team for putting these protocols together on behalf of the construction industry.

View the Protocols

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