Contractor resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 safe entry advice

Everybody is at risk of getting COVID-19. For most people, they will only develop mild illness and recover easily, but others may develop severe sickness.

To protect yourself and others please read and follow the advice set out in the following resources:

If you have any of the indicated symptoms you should

  • apply a mask immediately
  • immediately leave the workplace
  • attend a fever clinic for testing.

You must not enter a WMH facility if:

  • you have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • you been in close contact with a person confirmed of having COVID-19 and are required to self-isolate.

PPE advice when working in WMH facilities during periods of elevated risk of community transmission of COVID-19

When the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 is elevated within the West Moreton Health service area the use of PPE will be escalated as directed by the Chief Health Officer.

During these periods the continuous use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in clinical areas and common areas is required to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between healthcare workers, patients and other workers or visitors.

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) will be required across all sites. Contractors will need to wear a P2/N95 respirator in clinical areas a surgical mask in non-clinical areas.

Contractors should participate in a risk assessment in consultation with the clinical area to determine their level of risk and the appropriate PPE/RPE for the activity to be undertaken

It is strongly recommended that, prior to entering any of the areas that have been identified as high risk, the contractor should ensure that their workers have undertaken “fit testing” to available RPE. Contractors should also ensure that their workers have received instruction and training on the correct use and selection of the RPE, including how to achieve a “fit check” with their RPE.

Workers and contractors are to observe the recommendations of the Pandemic response guidance: Escalation of personal protective equipment usage in healthcare delivery, community health and care services, in-home care settings, and for healthcare delivery in correctional services during these periods.

Use of P2/N95 respirators and surgical masks

In accordance with the recommendations in the Queensland Health Interim infection prevention and control guidelines for the management of COVID-19 in healthcare settings the following recommendations are to be followed:

  • Respirators and masks should be changed when they become damaged, soiled or wet.
  • Respirators and masks should never be reapplied after they have been removed.
  • Respirators and masks should not be left dangling around the neck.
  • Avoid touching/adjusting the front of the respirator or mask while wearing it.
  • Hand hygiene should be performed upon touching or discarding a used respirator or mask.
  • Respirators and masks need to be removed for eating and drinking and this is permitted, necessary and safe. It is important to limit the duration that the mask is removed to help minimise any potential risk of exposure. Staff must maintain physical distancing when on meal breaks.
  • Staff must dispose of used respirators and masks in waste receptacles as soon as they are removed.
  • Plan for the need to replace the discarded mask and have a new mask ready to apply.

Please refer to the Queensland Health guidance document Fit testing of P2/N95 respirators in respiratory protection programs for detailed information regarding fit testing requirements for P2/N95 respirators.

Vaccination requirements

From 15 December 2021 a worker in healthcare must not enter, work in, or provide services in a healthcare setting unless the worker in healthcare complies with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Information about the vaccination requirements can be found in the Workers in a Healthcare Setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction.

Before entering, working in, or providing services to WMH all contractors and their workers are to:

Evidence of vaccination include

  • online immunisation history statement
  • COVID-19 digital certificate via the QR Code app
  • COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
  • medical contraindication certificate issued by a medical practitioner, and their AIR, specifying the medical contraindication that makes them unable to be vaccinated and the period of the medical contraindication.

An unvaccinated worker who has a medical contraindication certificate is required to:

  • produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before commencing each work shift in any West Moreton Health facility
  • wear PPE as required under the QH PPE guidelines

The worker cannot enter, work in, or provide services to WMH until they have been authorised by a relevant WMH staff member

Together we can keep ourselves and our community safe

Site induction

West Moreton Health (WMH) employs contractors to perform specific tasks or services under the direction of WMH staff. A contractor (and their workers) may be engaged to perform operational services or consultancy services.

As a contractor you are required to:

  • be inducted onto all WMH facilities/site before you can commence work
  • renew your induction every two years 
  • sign into WMH facilities/sites and receive an identification card before starting work.

Before entering, working in, or providing services to WMH you are to:

  • provide confirmation of your COVID 19 vaccination status to WMH staff
  • obtain and read the WMH contractor induction handbook
  • acknowledge that you have read and understood the Induction Handbook by:
  • state that you understand your Work Health and Safety responsibilities while contracted to West Moreton Health, agree to follow any reasonable directions provided in the interests of health and safety and to abide by any policy or procedure provided in the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy work environment including the PPE and dress standards procedure 
  • show evidence, where required, of licences; certificates; authorisations and risk assessments for the work to be undertaken to your WMH Contract Manager
  • undertake the general evacuation instruction checklist with your WMH Contract Manager (or delegate).

Submit a notice of impacting activity form where required

Note - All category 1 and 2 contractors (and their workers) must complete Part A of the Induction Handbook - General Requirements of the Induction.

All category 3 and 4 contractors and workers undertaking building and maintenance work must also complete Part B of the Induction Handbook - Site Requirements for Medium and High-Risk Building or Maintenance work.

Where the work requires entry to a WMH Mental Health Service and/or Secure Medical Wards at Ipswich Hospital or the Park the contractor and their workers must also complete Part C of the Induction Handbook.

Contractor site induction information

The contractor site induction information sheet can be found displayed at the entry point to WMH facilities or downloaded below:

Signing into site

All contractors must sign into the site immediately on arrival.

Issue of contractor identification

When the induction documentation is confirmed you will be issued with:

  • an identification badge/pass
  • keys and/or proximity entry cards.

Note: Keys and access cards must be returned before leaving site at any time, even if returning the same day. Contractors must report any loss of keys or access cards immediately. Any costs incurred will be passed to the Contractor.

After hours keys and access cards must be returned to Security at Ipswich Hospital and/or The Park. At other facilities, after hours returns should be organised with the WMH site representative.

Contractor identification must be worn and visible at all times in accordance with WMH procedure for Employee Identification and Visitor/Contractor Sign in and Key Management.

Sign in locations, hours of operation, after hours information and facility contact details are as follows:


Sustainability Infrastructure and Assets help desk

Phone: (07) 3810 1263


Ipswich Hospital - Maintenance Contractors

Sign in location:
Maintenance Office, Level 3, Tower Block

Operating Hours:
7am - 4 pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
Security Office (key return green letterbox outside maintenance office or to security)
(07) 3810 1361

Contact:
Facility Maintenance Manager/ Senior Maintenance Supervisor/ Project Manager or representative - (07) 3810 1263


Ipswich Hospital - BTS Contractors

Sign in location:
Maintenance Office, Level 3, Tower Block

Operating Hours:
7am - 4pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
Security Office (Key return green letterbox outside maintenance office or to security)
(07) 3810 1361

Contact:
BTS Manager


Ipswich Hospital - IT Contractors

Sign in location:
Maintenance Office, Level 3, Tower Block

Operating Hours:
7am - 4pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
Security Office (Key return green letterbox outside maintenance office or to security)
(07) 3810 1361

Contact: 
ICT Manager


Ipswich Hospital Pathology

Sign in location:
Level 5, Tower Block, Ipswich Hospital

Operating Hours:
24/7

After Hours:
Security Office (Key return green letterbox outside maintenance office or to security)
(07) 3810 1361

Contact: 
Laboratory Manager


The Park - Centre for Mental Health and Specialised Services

Sign in location:
Maintenance Office, Barrett Building, The Park

Operating Hours:
7am - 4pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
The Park Security Office
(07) 3271 8202

Contact: 
Senior Maintenance Supervisor
(07) 3271 8479


Rural Hospitals

Sign in location:
Reception

Operating Hours:
by negotiation

After Hours:
By arrangement 48 hours prior to work

Contact:
Manager of Operational Services, Facility Manager

Boonah Hospital (07) 5463 3301

Esk Hospital (07) 5424 4600

Gatton (07) 5468 4188

Laidley 0429 552 738


Ipswich Oral Health Services

Sign in location:
Reception

Operating Hours:
7.30am - 4pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
By arrangement 48 hours prior to work

Contact: 
Administration Systems Co-Ordinator
(07) 3413 6750


Ipswich Health Plaza

Sign in location:
Facility and Fleet Management Office, Lower Ground Floor, Ipswich

Operating Hours:
7am - 3pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
By arrangement 48 hours prior to work

Contact: 
Facility Coordinator
(07) 3813 6269


Goodna Community Health 

Sign in location:
Reception

Operating Hours:
8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
By arrangement 48 hours prior to work

Contact: 
Facility Coordinator (Plaza)
(07) 3813 6269


Gailes Community Care Unit

Sign in location:
Reception

Operating Hours:
7.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday

After Hours:
By arrangement 48 hours prior to work

Contact:
Administration Officer (Property and Operations)
(07) 3183 3600

General safety

The safety and wellbeing of staff, clients, contractors, visitors and suppliers are of fundamental importance in continually improving the quality of our healthcare services. Everyone has a role to play in staying safe. Contractors should familiarise themselves with the general safety requirements for West Moreton Health facilities.

Project management

Contractors are classified into four categories according to the health and safety risks associated with their work/activities. These are:

  • Category 1 - Consultant, professional contractor
  • Category 2 - Low risk work contractor
  • Category 3 - Medium/high risk work contractor   
  • Category 4 - Construction project principal contractor

A contractor work health and safety evaluation form outlining the contractors health and safety management plan and risk management processes must be submitted for evaluation by a WMH Representative for all Category 3 and Category 4 work/activities.

Notice of impacting activity (NIA)

An impacting activity is any action that may disrupt the normal operation of the hospital or neighbouring sites or cause discomfort to patients, staff members or the general public. Examples of impacting activities include Infrastructure projects, significant maintenance activities in an operational area, isolation of hospital infrastructure services and environmental issues such as dusty and noisy work. A notice of impacting activity form is to be completed and communicated to the relevant clients/stakeholders when activities are likely to interrupt or disrupt the normal operation of the hospital /facility.

The contractor should work with the WMH contract manager/supervisor to consider how the planned activity will impact the business systems or service delivery in one or more areas. The contractor is to undertake a risk assessment of the proposed activity where there is likely to be significant impact on hospital operations and document the impacts and risks associated with the activity. 

Consultation with the relevant stakeholders is to occur during this process and the contractor is required to develop a treatment plan and control strategy to inform stakeholders of the impacts and the risk mitigation process to be implemented. 

As an indicative reference tool an NIA should be submitted where any one or more of the following may or will be affected during the activity.

Infrastructure Services Impact Clinical Services Impact Operational Services Impact Environmental Conditions
Electrical Patient Flow Fire Detection Noise and Vibration
Water/ Drainage Clinical Access/ Egress Fire Prevention Dust
Communications Pneumatic Tube (Lamson) Fire Egress Fumes
Medical Gases Medical Vacuum Vehicle Movement and Disruptions Asbestos Removal Work
Lifts Nurse Call Security System Restricted Access
Natural/ LP Gas Emergency Response/ Code Notification  
Other (specify)  

An application for notice of impacting activity form and associated Risk Assessments, SafeWork Method Statements, Work Instructions and/or Permits should be requested, endorsed and approved a minimum of 48 hours prior to commencing work.

Where emergency work is required the 48-hour period will be waived, however a Notice of Impacting Activity must still be submitted and authorised before the work is undertaken.

The completed submission and supporting documents should be emailed to the shared mailbox address located on the application form.

Note: Sketch/drawing mark-ups of affected areas are highly recommended with NIAs to assist in clarifying the exact location of the work to be completed.

Permit to work

The permit to work system procedure (PDF, 567 KB) is an administrative tool to record and authorise planned works being conducted at West Moreton Hospital and Health Service where there is potential to impact on business continuity. It provides formal authorisation to ensure all elements of a safe work system have been considered and applies to works including infrastructure projects, installations, maintenance, alterations or repairs to assets.

The Permit to Work procedure applies to all staff and contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, labour hire workers and others engaged in work activities deemed high-risk at any WMH sites and locations. The permit details the work to be done and the precautions to be taken. The permits are issued, checked and approved by a WMH manager / supervisor competent to do so, and who is not involved in undertaking the work.

The Permit to Work system does not remove or override the need for compliance with existing standard work procedures and systems, and all workers involved with the high-risk task shall be consulted, inducted and trained in specific hazards, controls and safe work procedures.

Contractors are required to make an application for a notice of impacting activity form for work that is controlled under the Permit to Work procedure