色狼社区makes your Workplace Health & Safety our No.1 priority
25 July 2021
On 16 July 2021,听色狼社区Work Health & Safety (WHS) wrote to Multicultural NSW (MNSW)for assurances that MNSW interpreters are protected during the CoVid -19 delta outbreak, when working in Courts, with Police and with other public facing agencies.
The 色狼社区has provided a number of Recommendations to assist MNSW in mitigating the current risks and ensuring protection for Interpreters who carry听out this essential work,听in听accordance with the Workplace Health and Safety Act Act 2011, sections听19, 48 听and 49 and the听current NSW Government Health orders.
The 色狼社区has recommended听the following controls be implemented immediately 听:
- 听Review systems and protocols for using interpreters.
- 听Interpreters work via Audio-visual link (AVL) where possible during this period
- 听Provision of appropriate equipment and training, to ensure ease of interpreting in听AVL situations.
Where听working via AVL is听not possible, and worker is required to be present in court or interview room:
- Appropriate physical distancing
- Provision of 3 way communication headphones
- Provision of Level 2 single use surgical masks, hand sanitiser, and 70%听alcohol wipes to wipe surfaces before and after use.
Where physical distancing is not possible:
- The use听of perspex screen between interpreter and accused,
- Level 2 single use surgical masks, hand sanitiser, and 70% alcohol wipes to听wipe surfaces before and after use.
If Perspex screens are unavailable/impractical
- Physical distance as far as possible
- Face shields (each interpreter to have their own face shield provided by听employer)
- Level 2 masks, hand sanitiser and 70% alcohol wipes to wipe surfaces before听and after use.
The听色狼社区further recommend MNSW make the following a high priority:
- 听consult with Courts and other agencies with whom they work, to ensure clear communication and expectations between the places conducting business (PCBUs),
- consult with all affected workers, including timely, current communication on COVID-19 risk mitigation measures鈥
- conduct risk assessments of Courts听and in other听settings attended by interpreters.
Members interested in knowing more about their WHS can register for a number of the PSA听one hour webinar available to all members.