In response to the COVID-19 lockdowns in Sydney and NSW more broadly, Australis Engineering has enacted measures to reduce the risk of COVID infection and impacts to our staff, customers and suppliers but still allow us to continue to lawfully operate. We have a registered NSW Health COVID plan which includes having office based staff working from home and our trades team continuing to work at our factory but with heightened COVID safety measures in place. We are aiming for business as usual (as best as possible) but some enquiry, quote and project response times may increase as a result of these measures.
COVID-19 Response
Open for Business
Last updated: 16 August 2021
In response to the COVID-19 risk, Australis Engineering has immediately enacted its COVID-19 response plan. We are open for business and permitted to trade as we are an essential manufacturer that supports the food, beverage, health and pharmaceuticals, blood products, food & beverage packaging and logistics sectors. Our staff are therefore classified as authorised workers under the current NSW Health orders. We are trying to minimise disruptions to our customers as much as possible and we are aiming for “business as usual” in accordance with the prevailing circumstances.
COVID Action Plan
Our Action Plan will always aim to follow the NSW Health orders or Commonwealth Government orders. Specific actions include:
- A registered NSW Health COVID Plan. A printed copy is available in the upstairs foyer of our main office or from our Workshop Manager.
- Staff with even minimal COVID symptoms are not permitted to attend a work site. They must get tested, isolate and follow NSW Health orders. Australis is supporting staff by providing special, additional sick leave for any COVID related absences.
- Visitors with even minimal COVID symptoms must not enter our premises.
- NSW Health QR codes are located at all entrances to our premises. Visitors, including subcontractors and delivery drivers must scan these QR codes.
- All staff must wear a face mask whilst at work (except for verified exemptions under the NSW Health orders).
- Hand sanitiser, liquid hand soap and disposable hand towels are widely distributed throughout our facility.
- Staff in NSW Health’s nominated areas of concern must get COVID-19 testing as mandated by the NSW Health orders BEFORE coming to our premises or a client’s premises.
- Office staff must work from home unless there is a compelling reason to come to work as your task is not possible from home (eg programming a robot, managing fabrication of a project in our workshop, managing the installation and commissioning of our equipment at a client’s site, enforcing OHS and COVID rules for the trades team).
- Social distancing is in force. Small rooms on our premises such as meeting rooms and lunch rooms have been assessed for the maximum number of people who can safely be in attendance and sign posted. General signage is in place regarding social distancing.
- Staggering meal breaks or socially distancing our Trades team during meal breaks to increase social isolation measures and encouraging 1.5m work distances as best as possible.
- Improving hygiene to clean common surfaces and provide improved hand sanitation for staff and visitors.
- External visitors may not attend our premises unless for critical project delivery reasons. Delivery drivers are permitted, but they must use contactless delivery where possible. If this is not possible, they must check-in with our QR codes and use hand sanitiser and MUST wear a mask.
- Creating enhanced video conferencing facilities utilising the ZOOM app
- Reducing non-essential visits to client and supplier sites and substituting these with video conferencing where appropriate. We are aiming to make staff available for urgent call-outs or face to face meetings but we advise that some negotiation of availability may be required to meet demand and rostering arrangements
- Non-essential interstate travel and all international travel is postponed in accordance with border closures
- Quarantine and self isolation measures for staff who may become exposed to COVID-19, including to have all impacted staff tested and remain isolated until they receive a negative test result.
- Supporting staff with additional sick leave provisions to accommodate the need for prolonged quarantine or self isolation
Further steps may be necessary as the COVID-19 crisis evolves. We are monitoring and following all official NSW and Commonwealth Government advice with regard to coronavirus risks and containment measures and will follow all guidance as it becomes known.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to EMAIL or call us on +61 2 9707 5888.
Please read the additional advice below regarding our Supply Chain.
Our Supply Chain
In general, our Suppliers have advised that there are some delays in the provision of key materials and components. This especially affects Electrical Components and Robotics and T-slot aluminium profiles and service providers who are impacted by the lockdown provisions. There are likely to be delays in project delivery. Please contact the nominated Australis project manager for further information regarding your project.
Most of our Suppliers have advised that some staffing changes will apply as they enact work-from-home arrangements and other social isolation responses to the virus. These may result in some delays in providing pricing, quotes or other advice and we apologise for this inconvenience and will endeavour to minimise disruptions where possible.
Circumstances may change rapidly and so if you have any concerns about impacts to your project, please contact your nominated Australis Project Manager/ Engineer in the first instance for more detailed information.
Italy, Taiwan and Spain disruptions
Despite the above, we do have some key suppliers in Italy, Taiwan and Spain. These suppliers are reporting the possibility of some delays in dispatching critical components due to local travel/ transport restrictions and/or air freight demand constraints. Please contact your nominated Australis Project Manager/ Engineer in the first instance for more detailed information.
