From:
Melisa Kappely
To:
Executive Leadership Team
Subject:
Consultation Pack
Date:
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 6:06:12 pm
Attachments:
ConsultationVaccinationOfficeEmployeesJan2022.pdf
Covid 19 Office Risk Logic Simplified Jan2022.pdf
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Kia ora koutou ELT
Attached are the consultation documents that will go out tomorrow to all office staff regarding
the requirement
to be fully vaccinated to come into Stats offices and attend events.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Ngā mihi
Melisa Kappely (pronouns: she/her/hers)
INFORMATION
Chief People Officer | Apiha Tāngata Matua
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz | +64 27 734 0392
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come
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Consultation Document
JANUARY 2022
Consultation Document
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This consultation pack is to provide employees the opportunity to provide feedback on our draft
COVID-19 Controls policy and risk assessment. This is relevant for staff who are undertaking
activities that Stats NZ believes need to be undertaken by a fully vaccinated person. This pack
includes:
1. The COVID-19 Controls draft policy;
2. A questions and answer document; and
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3. The draft risk assessment (attached separately).
With the on-set of the highly contagious Delta and new Omicron variant of COVID-19 like many
employers, Stats NZ have been assessing how we can best keep our people, visitors and contractors
safe.
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To date, Stats NZ has implemented the necessary health and safety measures recommended by the
Government to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 including face coverings and social distancing and in
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instances not undertaken certain activities. Stats has also strongly encouraged all employees to be
vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Late last year, Stats NZ consulted with employees in Field Collections and Census who have high levels
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of engagement with the public. As a result of this consultation all Stats employees undertaking these
activities are required to be fully vaccinated.
Stats NZ has undertaken a further risk assessment to understand whether restricting office access and
attendance at events to fully vaccinated employees and contractors is an appropriate control for the
safety and protection of its em
RELEASED ployees, contractors, and external visitors. This consultation relates to
this. We would like you to provide your feedback before the final decision is made.
An initial step has been undertaken under the traffic light system for external visitors entering Stats
offices. Stats now requires all external visitors to present their My Vaccine Pass at reception to enter
Stats NZ offices and this includes contractors, external people attending meetings, maintenance
workers and visitors.
The risk assessment has now been undertaken for work activities undertaken by office-based
employees.
The risk assessment was undertaken for the following activities:
1.
Frequent contact with external parties to Stats offices (i.e., visitors, contractors, external
people attending meetings);
2.
Attending indoor and outdoor events (i.e., community events, meetings, training);
3.
Frequent visits to multiple Stats offices; and
4.
Working at a Stats office (Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch) in close contact with other
workers.
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Consultation Document
The risk assessment undertaken used the below factors to determine if the activity is high risk;
• Nature of the work performed;
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• The likelihood of a worker being exposed to COVID-19 whilst performing the activity;
• The potential consequences of that exposure on others (e.g., community spread); and
• Effectiveness of options other than vaccination that may be sufficient to mitigate the risk of
exposure.
Other Considerations also included:
• How many people does the employee carrying out the work come into contact with?
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• How close is the employee carrying out the tasks in proximity to other people?
• How long does the work require the employee to be in close proximity?
• Does the work involve regular interaction with people considered at higher risk of severe
illness from COVID-19?
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Following this assessment Stats NZ proposes that staff in office-based roles and attending Stats NZ
events should require vaccination to minimise the risk of transmission and/or contraction of COVID-
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19. This means all employees, visitors, and contractors will need to be fully vaccinated to enter any
Stats NZ office /or attend indoor and outdoor events.
During consultation office-based employees will be asked to provide information about their
vaccination status (full, partial, and/or vaccin
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at this time until a final decision is made on how to proceed. This information will assist with planning
for the implementation of any move requiring employees to be fully vaccinated to come into the
offices (if this is decided as the way forward).
Consultation Timeline
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Commence consultation over risk
Wednesday 19 January
assessment and draft policy.
Feedback
Wednesday 19 January – Wednesday 2 February
Decision announced
Friday 11 February
Effective Date for Requiring
Tuesday 1 March
Employees to be full vaccinated to
come into offices or attend events (if
the proposal proceeds)
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Consultation Document
How to provide feedback as part of this consultation process
We would welcome your views on the proposal provided in the attached documents. Please ask any
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questions or provide feedback by emailin
g [email address]
Feedback is open until the close of business Wednesday 02 February 2022.
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Consultation Document
COVID-19 Controls Policy - DRAFT
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1. Purpose
This policy sets out the general approach that will be taken by Stats NZ, and the expectations and
requirements of our employees, with respect to COVID-19 controls such as vaccination and testing.
As this policy has been developed at a time when workplaces are responding to the challenges of
operating within an environment where New Zealand is combating the spread of COVID-19, it is likely
that this policy, and our approach, will require review and amendment over time given the rapidly
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evolving situation and understanding that exists about COVID-19. We will do so in consultation with
employees and union representatives.
Stats NZ is committed to meeting its duties and obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act
2015 to provide a safe working environment, and to protecting our employees and the wider
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community in which we operate. For these reasons it is critical that Stats NZ and our staff take all
reasonably practicable precautions to protect against COVID-19 and its potential health-related
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impacts.
2. Policy Statement
Whilst Stats NZ will always comply with all current public health measures such as physical distancing
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and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), COVID-19 vaccinations are also a key control
measure against contracting and transmitting COVID-19 within the workplace and to the community,
and in limiting the severity of the virus’ potential impacts.
Stats NZ promotes an approach of encouraging and maximising vaccination take up by our employees,
while still protecting and bala
RELEASED ncing the rights of working people. We accept that vaccination is one of
many potential control measures, and it needs to be properly located within a wider suite of risk
management and workplace controls where the decision to employ it is made by Stats NZ, rather than
mandated by the New Zealand Government.
3. Scope
Where there are identified and compelling health and safety reasons for requiring that certain tasks
or roles should only safely be carried out by vaccinated workers, based on a robust risk assessment,
vaccination will likely be one of the key control measures proposed for implementation.
Should activities or roles performed by Stats NZ staff come, or have the potential to come, within the
scope of any future Government-imposed Order mandating vaccination and/or testing (which is not
yet the case), then that Order will be complied with. This policy and associated procedure will not
necessarily apply in these situations.
4. Supporting Vaccination for Stats NZ Employees
Stats NZ strongly encourages all employees who are able to vaccinate against COVID-19 to be
vaccinated.
Stats NZ provides paid Special COVID-19 Leave to all employees who need time off to get vaccinated
or if they are unable to work for a period of time due to an adverse reaction to the vaccine. All Stats
NZ employees are eligible for this leave with prior agreement.
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5. Assessing Health and Safety-related COVID-19 Risk in the Stats Work Environment
Before Stats NZ makes any final decision to require that certain activities can be undertaken only by a
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vaccinated worker for health and safety reasons, the task (or where relevant, the role that undertakes
it) will be risk assessed. Any risk assessment undertaken will consider:
• the likelihood of a worker being exposed to COVID-19 while performing the identified tasks;
• the potential consequences of that exposure for others; and
• any other matters that might be relevant to the particular work, including government
guidance.
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The risks associated with each role or task will be assessed on a preliminary basis, and reasonably
practicable controls will be applied, relevant to the particular circumstances and risk level. Those could
include (but are not limited to) the introduction of mandatory COVID-19 testing and/or a requirement
for COVID-19 vaccination.
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If it is subsequently decided that vaccination against COVID-19 is necessary to ensure health and
safety, only fully vaccinated employees will be able to undertake the role or task from the date
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determined by Stats NZ.
This means employees undertaking these activities must be
fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and
they will remain fully vaccinated by having booster vaccines as they are made available. What
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constitutes “fully vaccinated” will be determined and advised by Stats NZ from time to time and will
take account of public health and Government guidance at the time.
6. Requiring and Storing proof of Vaccination Status
Once a decision is made by Stats NZ that COVID-19 vaccination is a health and safety requirement for
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the performance of particular activity and/or a role by its incumbent, the employee concerned will be
informed of the requirement for COVID-19 vaccination and asked for proof of their vaccination status.
Should an employee choose, in this situation, not to provide details of their vaccination status, Stats
NZ will operate on the presumption that they are not
vaccinated. This may include standing the
employee down on pay while next steps are considered.
Stats NZ will collect and retain personal employee information about vaccination status and current
infection status (through any introduction of rapid testing requirements) in accordance with the
Privacy Act 2020. It may also be required to share that information with other agencies, individuals or
organisations, should there be a clear legal requirement for that to occur or should that disclosure be
necessary to enable an employee to access other premises and/or to come into contact with others
for reasons relating to their employment.
The collection of this information is for a lawful and necessary purpose – to monitor compliance with
this and other related policies, and if necessary, to make decisions about employees’ employment.
Information that is collected will be stored securely in the Stats NZ payroll system and only accessed
by People Leaders and Corporate Services staff with appropriate business need. Employees are
entitled to request access to, and correction of, any personal vaccination-related or COVID-19 testing-
related information held by Stats NZ that is about and/or identifies them.
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7. Employees who choose to remain unvaccinated
Employees who remain unvaccinated and who cannot return to normal duties due to a vaccination
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requirement, and/or cannot be redeployed by agreement to a substantially similar role (location, pay
grade, hours of work), and/or who cannot agree any other alternative option with Stats NZ, is it likely
that termination of employment will be proposed. Any decision to terminate employment will be on
notice (or on payment in lieu of notice at Stats NZ’s election). Should the employee commence and/or
complete the vaccination process during any observed notice period, the termination process may be
put on hold while the employee receives the relevant vaccine doses. Once fully vaccinated status is
confirmed, notice of termination of employment may be withdrawn and the employee will then be
able to return to their role and/or to their full duties and responsibilities.
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For new employees who are required to carry out such tasks, they will be required to be and remain
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment and required to provide evidence of
vaccination status prior to commencement and at any time during employment on request.
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In time, rapid testing for COVID-19 may become a standard control option. Once this becomes
available, and following consultation with employees, the Controls policy will be updated accordingly
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if rapid testing is to be applied.
8. Recognised COVID-19 Vaccinations
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The accepted vaccinations will be the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and/or any other vaccination or booster
vaccination that may subsequently be supported and approved by the Ministry of Health New Zealand.
This means that type and vaccination frequency requirements or limits may change from time to time
in accordance with relevant updates and guidelines from the Ministry of Health.
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Questions and Answers
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Outlined below are questions that you may have, and we have answered these based on the
proposed draft COVID-19 Controls Policy.
1. Who do I talk to if I have underlying medical conditions and cannot have the vaccine?
If you believe you should receive an exemption from receiving the vaccine, you will need to consult
your doctor in the first instance for medical advice on the vaccine.
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If are seeking or you have a temporary medical exemption (from the Director General of Health) Stats
NZ will work with you to explore alternative ways of working to keep yourself and others safe.
2. Is this new policy legal consistent with Stats obligations as a good employer?
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This policy has been developed on the back of our Risk Assessment COVID-19 Vaccinations taking
into account our role as a good employer in prot
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Zealand law. We are following advice from both Worksafe (re H&S) and MBIE (re obligations of
employers).
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3. Does this new policy infringe on my human rights and my right of choice?
Advice from the Human Rights Commission’s is that “The Government measures to combat COVID-19
are extraordinary and place significant restrictions on New Zealanders’ human rights. Even during a
pandemic, everyone has human rights and freedoms under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act and the
Human Rights Act. However, there are times when limiting these rights and freedoms can be justified
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under section 5 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act”.
Please follow this
link to the New Zealand Human Rights website where you can find further
information.
4. How can I prove that I have been vaccinated?
You will be required to provide satisfactory proof of your vaccination status in order to establish that
you can perform your role or the activities safely.
It is likely that your My Vaccine Pass will be sufficient evidence that you are vaccinated
Stats NZ will update all staff regarding the internal process for providing proof of vaccination and we
will continue to monitor and take the government’s advice on how proof may be received. Stats
NZ will provide all staff with support to ensure they are able to confirm their vaccination status.
5. Will I have to get a booster shot if they become available?
As vaccine booster shots become available and are encouraged or required by the government, the
existing requirement for roles or activities to be performed by a fully vaccinated worker are likely to
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be extended so that these roles or activities must be performed by workers who have received
booster shots in line with government advice or requirements.
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6. Will my vaccination information be stored in my personnel file?
Stats NZ will request information from employees regarding their vaccination status to assist in
complying with its obligations under the HSWA and so it can respond appropriately to the risks COVID-
19 brings to the workplace, including to assess whether staff can be safely deployed. If a staff member
chooses not to advise Stats NZ of their vaccination status, Stats NZ may assume that they are not
vaccinated.
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Where Stats NZ seeks or retains information regarding staff member’s vaccination status, it will deal
with this information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, including by keeping this information
secure within Stats NZ payroll system and only accessed by leaders and Corporate Services
employees with there is an appropriate business need. Employees are entitled to request access to,
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and correction of, any personal vaccination-related or COVID-19 testing-related information held by
Stats NZ that is about and/or identifies them.
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7. Will new staff members in relevant roles have to be vaccinated?
New employees who are undertaking these activities will be required to provide evidence of
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vaccination for COVID-19 as a condition of employment and a qualification for employment. Stats NZ
considers it necessary that relevant roles are filled by workers who are vaccinated for health and safety
reasons.
8. What happens if I am not vaccinated or have not confirmed my vaccination status by the
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date Stats indicates you must be vaccinated to attend the office or events?
Once this consultation period has concluded and the decisions have been published, depending on
the outcomes, we will set out a date that employees must be fully vaccinated to attend the offices
and indoor/outdoor events. We expect to communicate the final decision in mid-February and that
the date that Stats employees must be fully vaccinated to enter Stats offices at any location is likely
to be 1 March 2022.
Employees who are not vaccinated or have not provided proof of vaccination at this date will be
required to work from home. We will then work with these employees on a case-by-case basis to
understand the impact it has on them and Stats NZ. Depending on the employee’s role and the nature
of the role and the work undertaken Stats will work with the employee to understand whether there
is the ability for them to work from home to meet the requirements of their role. It is likely that there
will be some roles that are unable to work from home 100% of the time given their responsibilities,
for example, roles that have people leader responsibilities or have tasks in their role that require them
to meet in person with other employees or external parties. For these types of roles Stats will look at
whether there are alternative redeployment options such as a change in duties or redeployment for
an employee.
In good faith, we will ensure that employees have opportunities to respond to any changes in their
employment and Stats will take into account any feedback before making a final decision on an
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employee’s employment. Stats NZ’s priority is to retain people and accommodate them where we
can. If we are unable to find a solution with an employee, we may need to consider termination of
employment. This would only be considered after a fair consultation process and other options had
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been exhausted.
9. If I decided not to get vaccinated and my employment was terminated, would I get
redundancy?
No, redundancy is not available in this context. Any decision to terminate employment will be on
notice (or on payment in lieu of notice at Stats NZ election).
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10. Will my vaccination status be made public to others?
As a part of this consultation, we will be asking employees to declare their vaccination status to assist
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us in complying with our health and safety obligations. We will not be actively sharing individual staff
members’ personal information publicly nor if asked by members of the public. Individuals are still
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free to choose to mention their vaccination status with others if they so wish. However, anyone with
knowledge of our policies will be able to assume correctly that staff performing certain roles and/or
working in certain locations are vaccinated.
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11. Have the PSA and PSC been consulted on this?
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has provid
ed regular guidance and direction on COVID-19
Vaccination and Stats NZ is taking steps based on this.
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The Public Service Association (PSA
) support vaccination and we will be working through delegates to
consult on this policy and risk assessment.
12. I’m still hesitant about getting the vaccination. Who can I talk to or where can I go for
factual information?
We recommend you visit th
e Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 vaccine website where they offer
reliable data and information on the vaccine and its safety. We also recommend you raise your
concerns with your GP who can help you address your concerns.
13. I have been on leave and missed the consultation period, how can I have my say?
The consultation pack sets out key dates. A decision is not due to be announced until 11 February. If
you have missed the consultation period, please speak to your People Leader as soon as possible.
14. I sometimes work in the field but normally in an office, do I need to be vaccinated?
Yes, anyone who works with Field Collections and Census is required to be fully vaccinated to
undertake duties in the field. This policy is in place now.
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15. Why has Stats NZ not spoken to Staff earlier about vaccination status in the workplace?
We have been focusing on those staff who work most closely with the public (Field Collections and
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Census) to ensure their safety and are now turning our attention to the rest of the Stats team to
ensure the safety of all our staff.
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Draft Risk Assessment Summary
This risk assessment is based on work activities undertaken by Stats NZ office based employees that may
present a higher transmission and/or contraction of COVID-19.
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We aim to minimise the exposure of a Stats NZ worker to COVID-19 and reduce potential wider transmission
throughout the organisation.
Risk Assessment Methodology
We use the below risk matrix with definitions that explain likelihood and severity. A rating is given based on
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the association of likelihood and severity.
Consequence
Likelihood
The risk consequence will occur in
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most circumstances. 80-100%
Medium 5
High 10
High 15
Very High 20
Very High 25
expectation in the next 12 months
The risk consequence will probably
occur. 50-80% expectation in the
Low 4
Medium 8
High 12
High 16
Very High 20
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next 12 months
The risk consequence is likely to
occur. 30-50 % expectation in the
Low 3
Medium 6
Medium 9
High 12
High 15
next 12 months
The risk consequence may occur at
some time. 5-30% expectation in
Very Low 2
Low 4
Medium 6
Medium 8
High 10
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the next 12 months
The risk consequence will only be
realized in exceptional
Very Low 1
Very Low 2
Low 3
Low 4
Medium 5
circumstances
Management oversight
Management effort would
Would require
Management oversight would be required to ensure be required to prevent the Significant senior
extensive senior
might be required to
effectiveness and efficiency situation from intensifying. management attention management attention
Definitions
ensure day to day,
is maintained. Changes to
Changes to operating
would be required to and diversion of
routine operations are operating procedures may
procedures would be
recover from the risk resources to recover
not disrupted.
need to be considered
required.
event.
from the risk event.
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Definition of frequent activity “
something that happens often or keeps happening”.
Tasks within
office roles have been categorised into five
“risk contexts”. Each context requires a separate
risk assessment.
1.
Frequent contact with customers, visitors or contractors at Stats NZ offices
Risk Context: Stats NZ workers in close proximity to unknown contacts, external to the organisation,
in the office environment.
2.
Attending indoor events (i.e. community events, external meetings, training, conferences)
Risk Context: Workers that are required to attend indoor events as part of their frequent work duties.
There is potential to be exposed to multiple contacts. There are challenges in maintaining distance
and natural ventilation is limited.
3.
Attending outdoor events (i.e. community engagement, community events)
Risk Context: Workers that are required to attend regular outdoor events as part of their frequent
work activities. There is potential to be exposed to multiple contacts however distancing and natural
ventilation is achievable.
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4.
Frequent visits to multiple stats offices (Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland)
Risk context: Workers that have frequent regional travel requirements and use public transport and
overnight accommodation. Unknown contacts could result in transmission between the Stats NZ
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Offices and into the wider community.
5.
Work at a Stats NZ Offices in close contact with other workers (Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland)
Risk context: Vulnerable (health compromised, unvaccinated, aged) Stats NZ workers working in the
office environment have a higher tendency to be infected with COVID-19 (Ministry of Health).
For each risk assessment, we firstly assess risk without any controls in place. This is called assessing
inherent
risk. Secondly, we assess risk with controls in place. This is called assessing
residual risk.
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If the residual risk rating is still high after controls are put in place, we cannot responsibly conduct these
activities, so we must consider more controls to reduce the risk.
In all five risk assessments, the vaccination proposes a significant control to reduce the risk of transmission.
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We rely on the integrity of the information supplied by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for the decision making.
We are obligated to follow the guidelines and information provided to us by the MOH.
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Five Risk Contexts
1.
Frequent contact with customers, visitors and contractors at Stats NZ offices
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Risk Context: Workers in close proximity to unknown contacts, external to the organisation, in the
office environment.
Inherent risk (before controls)
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Consequence: severe
By definition, the consequence “would require extensive senior management attention and diversion
of resources to recover from the risk event
.”
This is based on the assumption that:
•
Workers can become infected by external persons and spread the virus to other Stats NZ
workers or into the wider community.
•
The Delta variant has a more severe impact on an individual’s health.
•
The vulnerability of possible contacts could be unknown.
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Likelihood: likely
By definition, the risk consequence “will probably occur with 50-80% expectation in the next 12
months”.
This is based on the assumption that:
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•
Delta has a significant viral load that expediates transmission of Covid 19.
•
Interactions are brief but they are frequent.
•
The reception environment is under Stats NZ control and has existing visitor management
in place. These contain and manage visitor traffic.
As a result, the risk rating of Very High 20
Very high 20
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Residual risk (after controls)
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Consequence: SEVERE moves to MAJOR
The Ministry of Health advises that vaccination reduces the impact on personal health for those that
are vaccinated and reduces transmission rates, which could impact the wider community.
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By definition, “
significant senior management attention would be required to recover from the risk
event”.
Likelihood:
LIKELY moves to UNLIKELY After the below controls are put in place:
• Masks
• Hygiene Practices
• Distancing
• QR codes
• Monitoring of controls
• Vaccination
• Signage
• Traffic Light Framework
• Covid 19 Stats NZ Protection Framework
By definition, “
the risk consequence may occur at some time with a 5-30% expectation in the next 12
months”.
The residual risk rating is Medium 8
Medium 8
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2.
Attending indoor community events
Risk Context: Workers that are required to attend indoor events as part of their frequent work duties.
There is potential to be exposed to multiple contacts. There are challenges in maintaining distance and
natural ventilation is limited.
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Inherent risk rating (before controls)
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Consequence: severe
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By definition, the consequence “would require extensive senior management attention and diversion
of resources to recover from the risk event.”
This is based on the assumption that:
• Workers can become infected by external persons and spread the virus to other Stats NZ
workers or into the wider community.
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The Delta variant has a more severe impact on an individual’s health.
• The vulnerability of possible contacts could be unknown.
Likelihood: almost certain By definition, the risk consequence “will occur in most circumstances with 80%-100% expectation in
the next 12 months”.
This is based on the assumption that:
• Indoor environment that generates high number of possible primary and secondary contacts
in proximity.
• There are limitations to natural ventilation.
• If a worker attends frequent external events, as a work activity, it increases the potential to
be exposed to the virus.
• The vaccination status of possible contacts could be unknown.
The inherent risk rating is Very High 25
Very High 25
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Residual risk (after controls)
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Consequence: SEVERE moves to MAJOR
The Ministry of Health advises that vaccination reduces the impact on personal health for those that
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are vaccinated and reduces transmission rates, which could impact the wider community.
By definition, “significant senior management attention would be required to recover from the risk
event”.
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Likelihood:
ALMOST CERTAIN moves to UNLIKELY After the below controls are put in place:
• Hygiene practices
• Masks
• QR codes
• Distancing
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• Vaccination
• Covid rules of the event venue
• Traffic Light Framework
By definition, “the risk consequence may occur at some time with a 5-30% expectation in the next 12
months”
The residual risk rating is Medium 8
Medium 8
3.
Attending outdoor community events
Risk Context: Workers that are required to attend outdoor events as part of their frequent work
activities. There is potential to be exposed to multiple contacts however distancing and natural
ventilation is achievable.
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Inherent risk (before controls)
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INFORMATION
Consequence: SEVERE
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By definition, the consequence “would require extensive senior management attention and diversion
of resources to recover from the risk event.”
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This is based on the assumption that:
• Workers can become infected by external persons and spread the virus to other Stats NZ
workers or into the wider community.
• The Delta variant has a more severe impact on an individual’s health.
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• The vulnerability of contacts could be unknown
Likelihood: POSSIBLE
By definition, the risk consequence “
is likely to occur with a 30-50% expectation in the next 12 months”
This is based on the assumption that:
• Delta has a significant viral load that expediates transmission of Covid 19.
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• Potential opportunities for transmission if in close proximity.
• The vaccination status could be unknown.
The inherent risk is rated at High 15
High 15
Residual risk (after controls)
Consequence: SEVERE moves to MAJOR
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The Ministry of Health advises that vaccination reduces the impact on personal health for those that
are vaccinated and reduces transmission rates, which could impact the wider community.
By definition, “
significant senior management attention would be required to recover from the risk
event”.
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Likelihood:
POSSIBLE moves to RARE After the below controls are put in place:
• Masks
• Hygiene Practices
• Distancing when applicable
• Vaccination
• Covid rules of the event venue
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• Traffic Light Framework
• QR codes
Outdoor events have the extra natural line of defence which is natural ventilation.
By definition, the risk consequence will only be realized in exceptional circumstances.
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This results in a residual risk rating of Low 4
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Low 4
4.
Frequent visits to multiple Stats NZ offices (Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland)
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Risk context: Workers that have frequent regional travel requirements and use public transport and
overnight accommodation. Unknown contacts could result in transmission between the Stats NZ
Offices and into the wider community.
Inherent risk (before controls)
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Consequence: SEVERE
By definition, the consequence “would require extensive senior management attention and diversion
of resources to recover from the risk event.”
This is based on the assumption that:
• Workers can become infected by unknown contacts via travel and accommodation and
spread virus to Stats NZ workers from other regions.
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• The Delta variant has a more severe impact on an individual’s health.
Likelihood: almost certain
By definition, “the event of transmission will probably occur with 80%-100% expectation in the next
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12 months”.
This is based on the assumption that:
• Frequent movement between regions increases the likelihood of wider transmission
organisationally and in the wider community.
• Physical distancing is difficult on route.
• Length of time of travel.
• Delta has a significant viral load that expediates transmission of Covid 19.
INFORMATION
• Using accommodation that is frequented by many unknown contacts.
The inherent risk rating is Very High 25
Very High 25
OFFICIAL
Residual risk (after controls)
THE
UNDER
RELEASED
Consequence: SEVERE moves to MAJOR.
The Ministry of Health advises that vaccination reduces the impact on personal health for those that
are vaccinated and reduces transmission rates which would impact the wider community.
By definition, “
significant senior management attention would be required to recover from the risk
event”.
Likelihood: ALMOST CERTAIN moves to UNLIKELY
After the below controls are put in place:
• Masks
• Hygiene Practices
• Distancing when applicable
• Vaccination
• Follow Covid 19 procedures of public transport and accommodation venues
• Traffic Light Framework
• QR codes
• Covid 19 Stats NZ protection framework
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• Organisational travel restrictions and approval
By definition, the risk consequence may occur at some time with a 5-30% expectation in the next 12
months”.
ACT
The residual risk rating is MEDIUM 8
Medium 8
5.
Work at a Stats NZ Offices in close contact with other workers (Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland)
Risk context: Vulnerable (health compromised, unvaccinated, aged) Stats NZ workers working in the
office environment have a higher tendency to be infected with COVID 19 (MOH).
INFORMATION
Inherent risk (before controls)
Consequence: SEVERE
By definition, the consequence “Would require extensive senior management attention and diversion
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
of resources to recover from the risk event.”
This is based on the assumption that:
• Vulnerable persons are more likely to develop severe reactions to COVID 19 infection.
• Vulnerable persons could include staff that are aged, have health conditions, or
unvaccinated.
• The Delta variant has a more severe impact on an individual’s health.
Likelihood: LIKELY
By definition, “the event of transmission will probably occur with 50%-80% expectation in the next 12
months”.
This is based on the assumption that:
• Indoor environment generates high number of possible contacts in close proximity.
• There are limitations to natural ventilation
• Shared workspaces and surfaces.
• Delta has a significant viral load that expediates transmission of Covid 19.
• Unvaccinated are considered more prone to transmission
The inherent risk rating is Very High 20
Very High 20
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Residual risk (after controls)
ACT
INFORMATION
Consequence: SEVERE moves to MAJOR.
The Ministry of Health advises that vaccination reduces the impact on personal health for those that
are vaccinated and reduces transmission rates which would impact the wider community.
OFFICIAL
By definition, “
significant senior management attention would be required to recover from the risk
event”.
THE
Likelihood: LIKELY moves to UNLIKELY
After the below controls are put in place:
UNDER
• Masks
• Hygiene Practices
• Distancing
• Vaccination
• Stats NZ Covid 19 Protection Framework
RELEASED
• Traffic Light Framework
• QR codes
• Flexible working policies
By definition, the risk consequence may occur at some time with a 5-30% expectation in the next 12
months”.
The residual risk rating is MEDIUM 8
Medium 8
Recommendations:
Based on the MOH assurance and guidance, the risk assessment indicates that
staff in these roles that
conduct these activities, will have greater protection if vaccinated.
This risk controls are subjected to regular review.
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References:
Public Service Workforce Guidance for the Covid 19 Protection framework
https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/SSC-Site-Assets/Workforce-and-Talent-Management/Public-
ACT
Service-workforce-guidance-for-the-COVID-19-Protection-Framework.pdf
Beehive: Press release from Hon Michael Wood, Govt back business to vaccinate workforces.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-backs-business-vaccinate-workforces
Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum guidance
Vaccination Policy Guidance
INFORMATION
Government Health & Safety Lead
https://www.healthandsafety.govt.nz/news-and-events/news/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-agency-
guidance/
MBIE guidance
OFFICIAL
Vaccines and the workplace » Employment New Zealand
THE
Te Kawa Mataaho (The Public Service Commission) guidance
Vaccination Roll-Out Guidance
WorkSafe NZ: How to decide what work requires a vaccinated employee and WorkSafe’s enforcement
approach. Updated 27 October 2021
UNDER
https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/novel-coronavirus-covid/how-to-decide-what-
work-requires-a-vaccinated-employee/
RELEASED
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Document Outline