Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates for Knauf’s employees, contractors and customers
VICTORIA
Pleased be advised of the steps we are taking to keep our customers, staff and community safe following a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at our Turner Street, Port Melbourne manufacturing and bulk distribution site. As a result, our Turner Street Port Melbourne site is closed until further notice.
Please note our City trade store located at 706 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne is unaffected and is open to customers from 4 October 2021.
Knauf is following Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) advice in order to safely reopen our business as soon as possible. For more visit; COVID-19 Trade Support
NEW SOUTH WALES
Extension of lockdown in Greater Sydney until at least 30 September 2021
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week announced an extension to current COVID-19 stay at home orders and increased restrictions for Local Government Areas (LGA’s) across Greater and Western Sydney until at least 30 September 2021 to help control the spread of COVID-19 in NSW. Effective Wednesday 11 August 2021, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that construction workers will be allowed on-site with 50% capacity. This means fully vaccinated authorised construction workers from the 12 affected Local Government Areas (LGA’s), including Penrith (from 8 August) will be permitted to work with evidence they have received;
More information is available on the NSW Government COVID-19 website; https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 Trade Stores & Distribution
Camellia Distribution Centre and Knauf stores in Thornton and ACT will trade as usual also servicing customers through a “drive thru” model within the guidelines of our COVID Safe Plan and government and industry requirements. Further to this we have initiated several social distancing measures to minimise contact and help reduce the COVID-19 risk to you and store staff. This includes closing showrooms where we have them and asking customers not to visit us in-store where possible. We encourage you to please place your order over the phone or email ahead so we can safely manage the collection or delivery of your goods. This will not only speed up your order, it will also minimise risk to customers and staff. When visiting our Trade Stores in NSW you will note the following COVID Safe hygiene measures are now in place;
Please remember to wash hands frequently and if you are feeling unwell – do not visit a site in person, and instead request delivery with one of our friendly trade store staff via telephone or email. Please click here to find your nearest Knauf Trade Store, operating hours and contact information. KNAUF in other states The good news for Knauf and our customers is we continue to remain open for business and available to service your business needs. We are committed to keeping the Knauf business actively serving customers during this challenging period and adhere to our COVID Safe Plans, including social distancing requirements for employees, customers and contractors and hygiene measures to protect both their safety and the safety of the larger community in which we work. Please ensure you are aware of and adhere to the COVID-Safe hygiene measures in place at Knauf sites. A Check-in App QR Code is in effect at all Knauf sites nationally. All visitors to site including customers and Contractors (including labour hire) must ensure they ‘Check-In’ to register their attendance on arrival as well as checking out on departure using that State's QR code , online or hardcopy form provided. Knauf Trade stores remain open where permitted, servicing our industry trade partners in our stores and other customers through a “drive thru” model. We encourage you to place your order over the phone or email ahead so we can safely manage the collection or delivery of your goods. Knauf warehouse and distribution operations continue within the guidelines of our COVID Safe Plan, and we ask all transport to site to follow the instructions of staff to ensure safety and compliance. Our contracting business has already implemented COVID Safe restrictions in line with industry requirements. With these restrictions in place, we are confident we will be able to continue our operations and service our valued customers. Thank you for your continuing support and understanding. |
COVID SAFE
We have a dedicated internal COVID-19 task force and we are relying on expert advice, including information provided by Knauf’s international medical and travel security services provider International SOS, as well as advice from specialist global risk consultancy Control Risks. We are also monitoring and applying official Australian national and state notices and recommendations from the WHO (World Health Organisation). We have protocols in place that we are updating regularly, including requirements for employees and contractors whose work includes being on Knauf sites, to be quarantined for fourteen days before returning to work if they have visited an affected country or been in close contact with a person with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.
To learn more about Knauf’s protocols and practices for employees and contractors please refer to the following documents:
We are also working to ensure we are as prepared as we can be around business continuity planning including minimising our supply chain risks and business disruption, and strengthening our remote working capabilities. We have identified critical business processes, including in our manufacturing operations and distribution as well as in our finance and IT functions. We have contingency planning underway including planning for staff absenteeism and planning to minimise any potential supply disruption to customers. We do not rely on a single data centre or IT facility that would leave the business or our customers vulnerable.
Some customers have asked about where our products are manufactured and if it is safe to accept Knauf products onto their sites. Knauf’s products are predominantly sourced and manufactured locally. While we do source some products, additives and equipment from overseas, expert advice is that the primary spread of the virus is through close, unprotected and direct contact with an infected person. There is currently no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 through imported goods.
Some customers have also asked if we expect any supply shortages and if we have alternate locations to supply customers from if a site is impacted by COVID-19. Because Knauf operates across many sites, we have a number of back-ups and alternative locations for customer supply already built into our network. Also, we are working to ensure we have adequate stocks of supply of all critical additives and inputs that are imported.
While our business continuity plans are confidential documents, if you are a customer and would like to better understand the way we operate and how we are managing the risks of COVID-19 in Knauf, please contact your sales representative and an online meeting or discussion can be arranged.
For more information or to provide feedback to Knauf on COVID-19, please email: covid19@usgboral.com
We encourage you to be aware of the available resources and recommendations of your local authorities. Here are a few examples:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
