This award recognises outstanding and innovative responses to managing the challenges COVID-19 has presented, and continues to present in workplaces across the State.
There are two awards in this category:
- small business (less than 20 employees or full time equivalent
- large business (20 or more employees or full time equivalent).
Large Business Winner
The Blueline Laundry Inc
The Blueline Laundry Inc built on its existing high standards and methods of infection control for laundering hospital and hospitality sectors linens. It advised and contributed to the state’s infection control standards. It supported its vulnerable workers to ensure they remained meaningfully connected and employed despite the company’s reduced commercial workload
Small Business Winner
Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc
Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc’s Agfest Agricultural Field Day was moved out of the paddock and into the cloud. This shift to an online event enabled exhibitors, suppliers and contractors to connect with and sell to Agfest patrons virtually. The real-life event that continued required extensive communication and education of exhibitors and patrons to ensure a safe and compliant event
Highly Commended
Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management developed a detailed manual and training. This ensured policing duties (including additional duties such as monitoring quarantine compliance) could be performed without putting police officers or the community at further risk of transmission
Finalists
Bell Bay Aluminium
Bell Bay Aluminium introduced health questionnaires and thermal screening for everyone entering the site and antigen tests for those returning from interstate. It manufactured its own hand sanitiser, and extended its employee counselling services to support its contractors, suppliers and community members
Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management developed a detailed manual and training. This ensured policing duties (including additional duties such as monitoring quarantine compliance) could be performed without putting police officers or the community at further risk of transmission
Grange Resources Limited
Grange Resources Limited developed its Trigger Action Response Plan, which was assessed daily using site risk reviews, government advice, and public health updates
Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd
Incat Tasmania Pty Ltd created a dedicated team to manage its COVID control measures. This included introducing daily temperature checks and managing break times to reduce the number of people in lunch/crib rooms and maintain physical distancing
MONA
MONA introduced timed ticketing and systems to control and monitor patron numbers, and replaced portable information devices and headphones with an app to eliminate the need for cleaning. Workers worked in bubbles and assigned locations to reduce interactions
Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society Inc
Redwater Creek Steam and Heritage Society held its SteamFest 2021 with extensive planning and the commitment of its volunteers. Trained COVID marshals, a dedicated cleaning manager and team, and changes to seating/patron flow ensured the safety of patrons
Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc
Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc’s Agfest Agricultural Field Day was moved out of the paddock and into the cloud. This shift to an online event enabled exhibitors, suppliers and contractors to connect with and sell to Agfest patrons virtually. The real-life event that continued required extensive communication and education of exhibitors and patrons to ensure a safe and compliant event
Tasmanian Railway Pty Ltd
Tasmanian Railway Pty Ltd developed a Relief and Recovery Plan that reinvented traditional workplace practices so a COVID safe workplace could be maintained indefinitely. The company engaged SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY to talk with its workers about mental health
The Blueline Laundry Inc
The Blueline Laundry Inc built on its existing high standards and methods of infection control for laundering hospital and hospitality sectors linens. It advised and contributed to the state’s infection control standards. It supported its vulnerable workers to ensure they remained meaningfully connected and employed despite the company’s reduced commercial workload
University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania mapped out possible outbreak scenarios and created an outbreak management team to plan for the impact on its community. Control measures included moving course delivery for 15,000 students online. For workers remaining on-campus, health screening stations were installed
Vermey’s Quality Meats
Vermey’s Quality Meats pivoted from a focus on wholesale restaurant supply to home deliveries, collaborating with other local businesses to service the community and using contactless delivery and payment methods