Information for Contractors

Safety

•  you have been properly briefed on the work that you will be doing and have the correct equipment to do your work  
• you have been fully trained on how to do your work in a safe manner and are fully across your company’s OHS manuals, policies and procedures 
• you act in a manner that promotes and provides for the safety of yourself, fellow employees, contractors, patients and the general public.  

Code of Conduct  

Appropriate Personal Appearance and Presentation  

Smoking 

Environmental   

• Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic) 
• Heritage Act 2007 (Vic)
• Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018 
• Heritage Regulations 2017 

To maintain a high level of safety and care for everyone, Contractors are asked to familiarise themselves with the following Forensicare COVID-19 requirements  

Vaccination

The Victorian State Government requires those who work in healthcare be vaccinated against COVID-19 and Flu. These health directions pertain to Forensicare employees, volunteers, students, and our contractors that are patient facing or regularly in clinical areas.

Contractors who come into regular contact with patients, staff and visitors will be required to provide evidence of vaccination and this will be captured as part of the online contractor induction. Note that flu vaccination is an annual requirement and is a requirement for only some of our contractors.

Have symptoms? 

It is important to us that we are able to provide an environment where we can protect you, our staff, consumers, and visitors.

If you have any of the following symptoms, we may at our discretion either request a RAT be conducted before entry or refuse entry to site:

• fever, chills or body aches
• recent onset of a cough or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• recent onset of runny nose or congestion
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• tested positive for or have been in contact with a positive Covid case in last 7 days
• have tested for Covid and are waiting on the results.

COVID Safe Plan 

Companies are required to submit a COVID Safe Plan when completing the company pre-qualification within Forensicare’s contractor management system.  This requirement must be met before any work can commence onsite.

Testing 

There may be times Forensciare requires contractors to undertake a Covid test as a condition of entry to our sites. This is to ensure the health and safety of our staff and consumers.  

If you test positive (whether from a Forensicare conducted test, or elsewhere), you and/or your employer must notify the Manager, Facilities and Asset Management immediately and provide details to WorkSafe. WS – Covid Form Unauthenticated (myworksafe.vic.gov.au)

For the most up to date COVID19 health alerts please visit:  Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert | Australian Government Department of Health 

Masks

At times, contractors may be required to wear masks within the hospital grounds.
In these instances, advice on mask requirements will be provided when attending site.

ID card and keys  

Contractors are responsible and accountable for the safekeeping, proper use and safe return of their keys upon exiting the site.  

In the event of loss of keys and/or identification, the loss must be reported immediately to security staff and the nurse in charge if you are in a unit and a search of the area must be initiated. 

Lanyards are to be worn around your neck at all times while inside the hospital secure perimeter and keys are to be carried as inconspicuously as possible, using the chain or cord provided to securely fast key to belt or clothing. 

You are not to leave keys unattended at any time. 

If unable to find the lost keys and/or lanyard, Clinical Administration and your Forensicare Contract Manager must be notified immediately.  

You may be asked to provide an Incident report.  

Facilities 

Toilet facilities are available in most areas. Speak to Thomas Embling Hospital staff to ascertain the closest toilet that is available to you. Patient bathrooms are not to be used at any time.

There is a kiosk in the Recreation building where you can purchase hot food, coffee, sandwiches, and cold drinks.

Parking 

Contractors are asked to park in the Fairlea East Oval and other public parking areas outside of Thomas Embling Hospital.

All contractors must register their attendance each day by signing in on arrival and out on departure using a dedicated contractor QR code.

Sign in QR codes are located across Thomas Embling Hospital grounds. They can be found at:

• The Facilities and Asset Management Office
• Admin Building Reception Entry
• Security Entry

Any Contractor attending site outside of normal business hours shall also report to Clinical Administration upon arrival and prior to departing site.  Clinical Administration is onsite 24 hours a day seven days a week.

We have a compulsory induction process for all contractors working at our sites.

You will not be able to work at Forensicare without having a completed induction,  and with supporting and current documents and credentials uploaded, sighted and approved by us.

All contracting companies must complete Pre-Qualification and provide us with all relevant insurance certificates and OHS information.  New contracting companies to Forensicare will receive an invitation from us to complete Pre-Qualification within our Contractor Management System.  For more information on how to Pre-Register your company can be found here Pre-Register and Induct your Company and Staff [for New Contractors]

Contracted workers are to complete an online induction and provide us with any trade credentials and ID requirements.

As an employee of a contracting company, you will be invited to complete our induction by your employer.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

Additional Induction Requirements

Cleaners and Caterers will also be required to participate in an additional induction provided by our Procurement and Logistics team. During this induction you will be provided with further information specific to cleaners and caterers working onsite, a demonstration on how to use your duress alarm, how to report your attendance into each unit and how to interact with patients.

Point of Contact at Forensicare

Contact our Procurement and Logistics Team
Office Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm
T: +61 3 9495 9112
E: procurement@forensicare.vic.gov.au

All contractors (including their employees and sub-contractors) working at Forensicare are required to hold a valid National Police Check (NPC) before commencing work with us.

A NPC no older than 12 months old is to be provided when completing Forensicare’s online induction. It is valid for 3 years from the date of issue, after which time a new NPC will be required.

Forensicare only accepts National Police Checks (also known as Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks) prepared by ACIC accredited organisations. Additional information on ACIC accredited providers can be found here.

Some of the more commonly used ACIC accredited providers are:

Apply for an National Police Certificate Online | Veritas Check

Start Check | National Police History Check | Checked.com.au

CrimCheck Registrations :: Home | Crimcheck

Your NPC is securely stored with us; however, in accordance with Public Records of Victoria requirements, all checks are deleted within 6 months of us having received it.

Our ‘Permit to Work’ (PTW) system has been designed to control the risks applicable to specific activities of contractors on our sites.

A permit must be sought when any high-risk work is to be carried out including, but not limited to, any work in a confined space, demolition, excavation, hot works, isolation, and working at heights.

It is your responsibility to ensure that permits are applied for in advance of works commencing. Please submit any permit requests 3 working days’ prior to when needed.

To request a permit, please follow our Request a Permit to Work process.

In the instances where permits need to be requested whilst on site (e.g., for emergency works), you can do so by following our Request an Emergency Permit to Work process.

Fires and Fire Emergencies  

The Fire Detection System installed throughout Thomas Embling Hospital utilises a combination of smoke and thermal detection devices.  These devices can at times be triggered by work that generates dust, smoke, or sparks.  

It is your responsibility to:   

• check the area(s) in which you are working to check there are no smoke and/or thermal detection devices in those.   You are to be mindful in this assessment of detection devices that nearby devices may still be affected by dust, smoke or sparks and ensure that the relevant detection devices are completely covered. Detector covers are available from Infrastructure and Site Services and must be fitted prior to any works being conducted. 
• obtain and complete a Fire Impairment and Isolation Permit to allow for any  smoke,  thermal or sprinkler fire detection/suppression devices prior to any works being undertaken.

At the conclusion of works, you are to follow the necessary process to have the previously isolated detection devices put back into normal service operation mode and the Fire Impairment Permit discharged.  

Note that the Contracting Company will be liable for any costs associated with the Fire Service attending site for any false alarm activations.   

Fire Emergencies

A Fire Emergency could occur in the hospital at any time. It is important you familiarise yourself with the location of any firefighting equipment such as extinguishers, hose reels and know the location of any fire exits.    

Should the fire alarm activate you are to immediately report to the Local Emergency Officer (LEO) in the Staff Station and await further instruction / evacuate as advised by Local Emergency Officer (LEO) . 

On hearing this alarm all contract staff are required to ensure there are no other persons in the immediate area they are leaving (i.e. in roof space) and immediately report to the Local Emergency Officer (LEO) in the Staff Station and await further instruction.  

Contractors whose work may generate dust or smoke –relevant permits must be obtained p prior to the commencement of work.    

Failure to do so may result in the contracting company being liable for expenses associated with Fire Service call outs.   

Fire Extinguishers   

Portable fire equipment is installed throughout the hospital and are to be used for small, minor fires in the early development stages and to control or extinguish a fire, prior to the arrival of fire services.  

Please refer to the types of extinguishers on site and in which specific circumstances they can be used here. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with this content before arriving on site.    

It is important that fire equipment is not tampered with. Misuse of the fire equipment will result in permanent removal from the hospital and all associated cost for rectification being sought from the entity responsible. 

Please refer here to the types of extinguishers on site and in which specific circumstances they can be used. Please ensure you familiarise yourself with this content before arriving on site.    

First Aid 

If you witness a first aid emergency, locate the closest member of staff to seek first aid facilities and/or emergency services assistance as required.  

If you require First Aid treatment, if able, contact the nearest member of staff and report to the Infrastructure and Site Services office.   

If you are injured and unable to move from your location as a result of your injuries:    

• Contact the Security Control Room via two-way radio on Channel 1;   
• Press your Personal Duress Alarm; or   
• Telephone the Security Control Room on 03 9495 9108 (Extension 108).  

Please ensure your report any injuries by following our Report an OHS Accident or Incident process.

All injuries (no matter how minor), hazards and near misses must be reported to our as soon as possible after the incident – but no more than 24 hours after the occurrence. Prompt reporting, recording and investigation of the incident assists in ensuring the ongoing safety of all individuals by preventing a repeat occurrence.

Please follow our reporting processes:

• Report an OHS Accident or Incident
• Report a non-OHS Incident

Please note you may be requested to participate in an incident investigation, if one is required.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS) (created by the chemical manufacturer) provide information about a substance or mixture for use in workplace chemical management.  

All contractors must hold any/all necessary SDS as required based on the task undertaken. Forensicare may request to see these at any time. 

Your feedback is important to us. Not only does it help us improve but lets us know when we’re doing a great job!

Should you wish to provide any feedback or want to let us know you’ve enjoyed doing business with us, please email us at feedback@forensicare.vic.gov.au.