IMS9.1.3 COVID-19 19 Rapid Antigen Testing Procedure

1.0   PURPOSE

The purpose of this Procedure is to outline the process used by SeaLink Marine and Tourism (SeaLink) to conduct Rapid Antigen Testing.

A Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is a quick screening tool that detects Coronavirus proteins (COVID-19) and will allow SeaLink to respond quickly and effectively to potential outbreaks of COVID-19 in the Workplace, protecting the health and safety of Employees and customers, and minimising the impact on operations.

A risk-based approach is to be adopted when determining the level of testing required based on State Government requirements for which a Business Unit operates.

Employees who have symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose must not attend the Workplace and present to a COVID-19 Testing Facility to undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR Test) and isolate until a Negative Result is obtained or clearance given from the State Health Authority.

2.0   SCOPE

This Procedure applies to all SeaLink Marine and Tourism Business Unit Employees who have been identified as low risk or above using the Contact Assessment and Management Matrix in Appendix 4, or as defined by State Government when a potential outbreak of COVID-19 is identified at the Workplace.

3.0   DEFINITIONS

COVID-19 Testing Facility: An approved facility established to perform PCR Tests to detect COVID-19.

Employee: An Employee, contractor, volunteer, work experience student or apprentice carrying out duties for SeaLink Marine and Tourism.

Manager: An Employee with Managership responsibility, including Supervisors and Team Leaders.

Positive Result: Test has detected COVID-19 proteins.

Negative Result: Test has not detected COVID-19 proteins.

Invalid Result: Test was not able to determine a result for COVID-19 proteins.

PCR Test: Polymerase Chain Reaction Test used to detect COVID-19.

RAT: Rapid Antigen Test used to detect COVID-19.

Walk In: Employees or contractors who arrive at the Workplace by some other means other than a private vehicle e.g. public transport, taxi, Uber, bicycle.

Workplace: A place where work is carried out and includes any place where an Employee goes, or is likely to be, while at work. This includes a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other mobile structure.

4.0   RESPONSIBILITIES

General Managers

Are responsible for ensuring:

• The Procedure is communicated to all Employees.
• Overall compliance with the requirements of this Procedure

Managers

Are responsible for:

• Allowing Employees time to complete a RAT when required.

HSEQ Personnel

Are responsible for:

• Maintaining supply of RAT Kits for their Business Unit.
• Maintaining supply of PPE items required.
• Monitoring overall compliance with the requirements of this Procedure.

Employees

Are responsible for:

• Complying with the requirements of this Procedure.
• Reporting to their Manager if they are feeling unwell and not come to work.
• Reporting to their Manager if they return a Positive Result by PCR Test.

5.0   PROCEDURE

5.1   Procedure Initiation

This Procedure will be initiated after a confirmed Positive Result (by a PCR Test) has been received and the Employee attended the Workplace in the 5 days prior to being notified they were COVID-19 positive.

A risk assessment is to be completed to determine persons to be included in the RAT process.

5.2   Participation

Once this Procedure has been initiated all Employees who are deemed to be low risk or above as per the ‘Contact Assessment and Management Matrix’ in Appendix 4, are to produce a Negative Result before they can enter the Workplace to commence their allocated duties.

5.3   Conducting the Test

All RAT Kits are to be checked to ensure they have not passed the expiry date prior to being issued to the Employee

Person distributing the RAT Kits to wear the following PPE as a minimum:

• Disposable gloves;
• Face mask; and
• Face shield

5.4   Private Vehicle / Motorcycle

The RAT process will operate as a drive through testing facility.

Employee must remain in their vehicle and maintain 1.5 metres between themselves and others until a Negative Result is received to minimise the risk of potentially spreading COVID-19.

When arriving at the Workplace at the beginning of each day when RAT is being conducted, Employee to drive up to the RAT Kit Station to collect their RAT Kit. This will be clearly signed and located in an open space.

Employees will be provided with suitable instructions on how to perform the RAT (Refer to Appendix 3 – Performing and Reading Rapid Antigen Test).

Employees must then proceed to their normal parking area and conduct a self-test using the supplied RAT Kit, remaining in their vehicle at all times.

5.5   Walk-In

The RAT process will operate as a walk-in testing facility.

Employees must remain in the designated testing area and maintain 1.5 metres between themselves and others until a Negative Result is received to minimise the risk of potentially spreading COVID-19.

When arriving at the Workplace at the beginning of each day when RAT is being conducted, Employee to walk up to the RAT Kit Station before entering buildings, vessels or vehicles to collect their RAT Kit. This will be clearly signed and located in an open space.

Employees will be provided with suitable instructions on how to perform the RAT (Refer to Appendix 3 – Performing and Reading Rapid Antigen Test).

Employees must remain in the testing facility and conduct a self-test using the RAT Kit.

5.4   Management of Results

Negative Result - Advise their Manager (or Operations Coordinator) of the Negative Result, by taking a photo of the test result cartridge along with photo ID, and sending via SMS or email. Once the RAT Kit has been disposed of, the Employee is able to enter the Workplace and commence their duties.

Invalid Result - Inform the person distributing RAT Kits, obtain another RAT Kit and repeat test. If the second test is an Invalid Result, procedure for a Positive Result to be followed as below.

Positive Result – Employees must:​

• Remain in their vehicle or in the designated testing area for Walk Ins.
• Not enter the Workplace under any circumstances.
• Advise their Manager of the Positive Result or Invalid Result, by taking a photo of the test result cartridge along with photo ID, and send via SMS or email. If an Employee does not have access to a mobile device, report back to the testing location.
• Attend an approved COVID-19 Testing Facility as soon as practicable and advise they have tested positive using a RAT Kit so that a PCR Test can be conducted.
• Travel to the COVID-19 Testing Facility in a private car or taxi. If traveling in a private car or taxi with another person wear a mask and not sit next to the other person.
• Avoid traveling on public transport. If required to travel on public transport wear a mask.
• Quarantine until a Negative Result (PCR Test) is obtained. If a Positive Result is obtained, the Employee must follow all directives issued by the State Health Department.

5.5   Disposal of Test Kits

• Place the used swab, tube and test device in the disposal bag included with the RAT Kit.
• Seal the disposal bag tightly and securely.
• Dispose of the bag containing the used swab, tube and test device as per local requirements.

5.6   Safety and Environmental Considerations

• The person distributing RAT Kits is required to wear the specified PPE in the correct manner.
• Face masks to be cleaned before each use by wiping the inside, straps and outside with a detergent solution or wipe. Wipe with clean water to remove residue if required.
• The person distributing RAT Kits is to maintain a minimum 1.5m distance between themselves and the person they are providing the kit to.
• RAT to be completed in the Employee’s vehicle.
• Walk-Ins must maintain 1.5m distance between themselves and any other person while they are conducting the RAT or waiting for the result.
• Used RAT Kits are to be disposed of correctly by the person who used the kit.
• Employees that produce a Positive Result or Invalid Result are not permitted to commence duties, must remain in their vehicle, not enter the Workplace and immediately attend a COVID-19 Testing Facility to undertake a PCR Test.

6.0   DEVIATION APPROVAL

• Where a Business Unit identifies impediments to its ability to comply with this Procedure or part thereof, written approval to deviate must be approved by the Chief Operating Officer.
• All approved deviations must be recorded in writing for auditable evidence, compliance requirements and a copy of the deviation forwarded to the Corporate HSE Manager.

Circumstances when a Business Unit might not be able to fully implement this Procedure include:

• Where regulatory obligations specific to a Jurisdiction or operations require a different practice or approach.
• Where local conditions in relation to operations mean that implementation of this Procedure is not possible or would create additional risks or issues.

7.0   DOCUMENT CONTROL

To ensure the Risk Management System remains relevant and maintains a focus on continuous improvement, it is essential that this document is reviewed at least annually and where appropriate amended in accordance with the Document Control Procedure.

NOTE: If this document is printed or copied it becomes an uncontrolled document and as such may not be current or up to date. To ensure currency of this document the user must check the version date against the Document Register available in the online document system.

APPENDIX 1 – How to Put on and Take off a Face Mask

APPENDIX 2 – Correct Face Mask Use

APPENDIX 3 – Performing and Reading Rapid Antigen Test

APPENDIX 4 – Contact Assessment and Management Matrix