Pandemic Management Policy

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The objective of this document is to ensure the health and safety of all persons present at TSH in the event of a pandemic emergency.

2. GUIDELINES STATEMENT

The purpose of this policy is to establish a plan and procedure to provide a framework for the management of, and recovery from, a pandemic that might affect the operation of TSH. The pandemic management plan and procedure is designed to:
• Minimise sickness and death
• Maintain educational programs
• Minimise social and emotional disruption to students and staff
• Minimise economic disruption

3. SCOPE AND APPLICATION

The scope of this policy is for all persons present (staff and others) at the time of a pandemic at TSH Wembley. Staff located off-site such as Outpost, Pilbara, Cockburn need to familiarise themselves with the Pandemic Management Plan / Procedures that are in place at their workplace location.

4. RELATED LEGISLATION

Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) and related regulations
Health Act 1911
Emergency Management Act 2005
Biosecurity Act 2015
Emergency Management Regulations 2006
School Education Act 1999
School Education Regulations 2000
Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2012
Industrial Relations Act 1979
Standards Australia AS/NZS ISO 3100;2009 Risk Management Principles and Guidelines
Standards Australia AS 3745:2010 Planning for emergencies in facilities
Standards Australia HB 292:2006 A practitioner’s guide to business continuity management

Other relevant TSH policies and documents include:
Infection Control and Health Policy
Emergency Management Policy and Plan
WHS Risk Assessment Procedure
Working from Home Policy
Home Visits Procedure
Risk Management Policy
Workplace Health and Safety Policy
Venue Hire Policy
Volunteer Policy

5. DEFINITIONS

Seasonal (or common) influenza is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Avian influenza (or bird flu) is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. There is no human immunity, and no vaccine is available.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was a new virus that had not circulated among humans before. The virus is transmitted by inhaling infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing or by touching contaminated hands or surfaces, the same as the normal seasonal flu.

Pandemic influenza is virulent human influenza that causes a global outbreak, or
pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person.

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020.

Pandemic Phases

The World Health Organisation has a set of 6 pandemic phases that it uses to describe the global situation. Australia uses the same numbering system as WHO to describe each phase; however, the Australian pandemic phases are designed to describe the situation in Australia and to guide Australia’s response. Thus, the Australian and the WHO phase may not always be the same.

The Australian phases (see table below) describe whether the virus is in countries overseas or in Australia. Difference response strategies may be used simultaneously in different parts of Australia, due to variations in the local stage of a pandemic.

6. PROCEDURE

The implementation of the Plan is to be incremental depending on the status of the pandemic and the potential risks to the health of staff, students, volunteers, and the general public. In order to do this, the following principles form the basis of the Plan:
• Prevention: to reduce the risk of catching the disease.
• Minimisation: to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
• Communication: to keep all stakeholders informed.
• Service Provision: to continue to meet our charter and ensure business continuity.

Prevention and Minimisation

Under Workplace Health and Safety legislation, TSH has a responsibility to maintain a healthy and safe environment for all staff, students, and visitors. The legislation also places responsibility on staff to adhere to related guidelines and procedures, and to use whatever protective equipment is provided.

Influenza Vaccination:
Staff are encouraged to maintain their typical influenza strain vaccination regime as suffering from the “normal” flu will weaken staff and place them in greater risk from any pandemic variety. The People and Culture Business Partner will arrange an annual influenza vaccination for TSH staff who choose to be vaccinated.

People who are ill:
Staff, contractors, volunteers, clients and students who are ill should stay at home and not return until symptoms resolve or in line with any WA Department of Health advice issued.

Coughing and Sneezing:
Coughing and sneezing are the most common methods of spreading airborne respiratory diseases and viruses. Mouths and noses should be covered when coughing or sneezing and hands should be thoroughly cleaned afterwards. Staff are encouraged to use tissues rather than handkerchiefs and to dispose of them appropriately immediately after use. It is suggested that staff keep tissues at their desk.

Personal Protective Equipment:
PPE such as face masks, gloves and guards may be provided to staff working in public areas such as the reception.

Cleaning:
Desks, phones, keyboards, drawer handles, door handles etc all represent ideal disease transfer sites. Regular cleaning of these areas with alcohol-based wipes will minimise the spread of infection and is particularly importance in public access areas. TSH will ensure wipes and hand sanitiser is easily available and accessible throughout the Organisation.

Flexible working:
As many contagious viruses and strains of influenza are transmitted through close or direct personal contact, it is important during a pandemic to reduce the number of situations where this could happen. Enabling staff to work from home is a key factor in achieving this and ensures that TSH can keep the key functions operating. For roles required at the school, full time working at home many not be possible, however leaders should consider how they can reduce the amount of time for these staff to be physically within the building. Teachers should also have a plan in place for students to access remote and online learning in the event they are unwell.

Social distancing:
Social distancing is a strategy to protect staff and students during a pandemic by minimising their contact with others. Events involving large gatherings should be avoided, whether inside or outside. A distance of at least 1m should be maintained between people wherever practical. Standard social distancing protocols do not apply to classrooms.

Personal International Travel:
Staff are discouraged from travelling to affected regions for any reason. If any employee has approval to travel to an affected area and are unable to leave due to an outbreak, they may access personal leave to cover the period. The quarantine period will apply upon their return to Australia. They may be required to provide a doctor’s clearance prior to returning to work.

Domestic Travel:
Staff required to travel interstate or intrastate will need to check state travel requirements and be abreast of any changes. Only essential business travel will be permitted.

Communication

The importance of keeping staff and students fully and accurately informed during all stages of a pandemic cannot be overstated. It is essential that staff and students are able to rely on the information provided. All external communication must go through the central Marketing Team. Communications will only be issued on the approval of a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

As the pandemic progresses, there will be an increasing need to inform TSH’s staff, students, clients and other stakeholders of any potential impact.

TSH will follow the WA Department of Health advice at every stage of a pandemic. All major decisions such as school closures should be made in close consulting with direct health authorities.

Staff Member	Responsibility
CEO (or most senior management representative on site in the CEO’s absence)	• Responsible for the enactment of the Pandemic Policy, the level of response, and the coordination of the response • Bring together the Critical Incident Management Team • Liaise with the Board • Liaise with the Department of Health • Liaise with media and authorities • Oversee operations, including the implementation of protocols for service delivery and tele-support during pandemic • Ensure communications to staff are undertaken • Approve all plans for and communications to families /clients; external stakeholders; government; etc.
Principal	• Manage the incident for the school • Liaise with AISWA and the Department of Education WA • Implement protocols for service delivery and tele-support during pandemic • Allocate resources within the school, set priorities, and resolve any conflicts • Advise schools families of impact on services delivered • Liaise with staff
Head of Marketing and Facilities	• Update intranet and internet sites with current information • Manage media relations • Send communications approved by CEO to Venue Hire Clients • Liaise with any contractors or others seeking to attend TSH during a pandemic • Liaise with staff • Implement protocols for service delivery and tele-support during pandemic • Liaise with funding bodies (e.g. Chevron etc) • Liaise with regional and remote communities about services
Head of Clinical Services and Head of Hearing Services	• Seek advice from NDIS, Speech Pathology Australia, Audiology Australia and AHPRA • Advise families of impact on services delivered • Implement protocols for service delivery and tele-support during pandemic • Update reception staff with current information • Liaise with staff
Head of Growth and Projects	• Implement protocols for service delivery and tele-support during pandemic • Liaise with funding bodies (e.g. Rural Health West, WACHS, etc) • Implement protocols for service delivery and tele-support during pandemic • Liaise with regional and remote communities about services • Liaise with staff
Human Resources	• Coordinate all matters related to staff • Maintain database of employees affected by pandemic • Maintain communication with affected staff and their families • Arrange for hiring of temporary staff • Prepare for many staff absences • Education and training for staff

Service Provision

During a pandemic, TSH is expected to continue delivering supports to NDIS participants and prioritise supports to meet the immediate needs of participants.

In the event of a pandemic, the NDIS National Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) provides regular advice to registered NDIS providers and has links to Provider Alerts that contain important information for NDIS providers.

TSH may also be required to notify the NDIS Commission of any impact to operations,
employees or participants.

7. POLICY UPDATES

This policy may be updated or revised from time to time. TSH will notify staff each time the Policy has been updated. If you are unsure whether you are reading the most current version, you should contact the CEO or People and Culture Business Partner.

Originated	Version 1	October 2021
Updated	Version 2	September 2023