COVID-19 Risk Assessment Consultation (19 Nov 2021)

Dear Colleagues

The safety of Tasmania’s public servants is a responsibility I take most seriously as Head of the State Service (HoSS).

Under Tasmania’s Work Health and Safety Act 2012, all Heads of Agency (HoA) have an obligation as Officers of the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to ensure the safety of our workforce.  That Act also identifies me, as HoSS, as the PCBU with overall responsibility for the work health and safety of public sector workers.

As you are aware, Kirby Institute modelling indicates that when Tasmania reopens our borders on Wednesday, 15 December 2021, we will experience an increase in COVID‑19 cases in the State.

Some cohorts in the state service are already subject to public health directions mandating vaccination, however for those that aren’t, each HoA has conducted an initial risk assessment process looking at the change in our respective risk profiles given the projected increase in COVID-19 cases. These risk assessments look at mitigations available to decrease the likelihood and / or consequences of COVID-19.

Your HoA (or CEO) will now commence a two week consultation process from Friday, 19 November 2021, to seek your feedback on your agency’s draft risk assessment, and proposed mitigations to lower risks relating to increased COVID-19 cases.

The feedback you give will be considered in making decisions on the best ways to mitigate our increased COVID risk. This includes considering whether mandatory vaccination is appropriate, and if so, for who.

Please take the opportunity of the consultation period within your Agency to give your honest feedback, it’s important we hear from you.

Best Wishes