Are vaccine mandates still in effect? Because of the aggressive nature of the transmission of COVID-19, vaccine mandates were introduced into the workplace to reduce the number of lockdowns and to help businesses resume operations. But how did we get there? Let’s rewind the clock and talk about the pandemic and the effects of vaccine mandates in the mining and construction industry.
2020: Start of the COVID-19 pandemic
The world was at a standstill when the pandemic broke out, and countries went into lockdown. Companies, including the ones in the mining and construction industries, had to halt their operations because employees had to stay home.
But thanks to new technology and Internet connectivity, opportunities to work at home were available. Unfortunately, not all companies or industries offer this option. Luckily, the world didn’t stay in lockdown for long because vaccines were produced and distributed worldwide in 2021.
2021: Vaccine mandates were introduced
As soon as people were vaccinated, face-to-face operations could resume, provided that workers were vaccinated. On 1 December 2021, all FIFO workers were required to have their first vaccination dose and complete their vaccine by January. Those who didn’t comply with the requirements were put on indefinite leave. But this wasn’t a problem according to the chief executive officer of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, Warren Pearce, as many workers had already had their vaccine.
Without vaccines, workers wouldn’t be able to work if they got infected, and companies would stop operations again and lose more money. Not only did the vaccine help prevent the spread of COVID, but it also prevented other companies from ever shutting down their operations again.
Aside from the vaccine mandates, some mining companies introduced stricter policies that include screening and testing FIFO workers before they could board planes and travel to their place of work.
2022: Vaccines mandates are dropped
With cases falling and the number of vaccinated individuals rising, companies did not need to continue enforcing vaccine mandates. In June 2022, all workplaces dropped COVID-19 vaccination mandates, except for healthcare, residential aged care, and disability facilities.
But despite the declining number of COVID-19 cases, employers are still obligated to provide safe workplaces and mitigate risks to their employees. That might include setting rules regarding protective clothing, mobile phones in high-traffic areas, speed limits on machinery, and vaccination requirements.
Safety Is Still a Priority
Now that vaccine mandates aren’t required, is it still reasonable for companies to have them?
Yes, because compared to the lockdowns, mandating vaccines for workers is a more practical way of managing COVID in mining sites and reducing any workplace risks related to the virus. The main goal of vaccination might be to reduce the transmission of the virus, but it also helps businesses recuperate their losses from the pandemic.
Nevertheless, employers should conduct a risk assessment of their business operations and note how employees might be exposed to infection during their employment or be at risk of infecting others, so they impose mandates accordingly.
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