WorkSafe Reminds Employers, Including Wyndham City, of Expired COVID-19 Vaccination Information Regulations
WorkSafe is issuing a reminder to employers, including those in Wyndham City, that the pandemic regulations designed to facilitate the collection, recording, holding, and utilization of COVID-19 vaccination data from specific individuals have expired today.
WorkSafe is issuing a reminder to employers, including those in Wyndham City, that the pandemic regulations designed to facilitate the collection, recording, holding, and utilization of COVID-19 vaccination data from specific individuals have expired today.
The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (COVID-19 Vaccination Information) Regulations have been revoked, and employers who had previously recorded or held COVID-19 vaccination information under these regulations must now destroy such information within 30 days.
These regulations were initially introduced in mid-2022 following the elimination of certain vaccination requirements outlined in the Pandemic Orders. They aimed to support employers in gathering, documenting, retaining, and utilizing COVID-19 vaccination information from designated individuals who attended workplaces under their management or control. The purpose was to enable the identification and implementation of reasonably practical measures to mitigate COVID-19 risks.
Designated individuals encompassed employees, independent contractors and their employees, volunteers, and students on approved placements who were authorized to be present at the workplace.
It’s important to note that the obligation to destroy information does not apply to employers who are authorized or mandated by other laws to collect, use, record, or retain vaccination information.
Employers are reminded that a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered health information and is protected by other legislation, such as the Health Records Act.
