The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is pleased that the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has released worksite guidelines that will allow builders and tradespeople to continue working for insurance customers under current COVID-19 essential services rules.

Aimed at protecting both workers and property owners during repairs and rebuilding, the guidelines include applying social distancing measures on worksites; managing project schedules to reduce the number of trades on site at the same time; ensuring workers have access to appropriate personal protection equipment as well as hygiene and safety facilities; and encouraging contactless payments and deliveries.

“Builders and contractors who are working for insurers are able to perform their professional tasks under the current COVID-19 rules by observing nine HIA-developed guidelines,” noted ICA communications head Campbell Fuller.

“These guidelines are supported by the insurance industry, and most insurers are making them a requirement of any insurance work. They require good communication with the property owner and all workers, along with constant awareness and vigilance.”

Fuller said observing the guidelines will ensure insurers and their contractors can continue to help the community where repairs are required while providing peace of mind that anti-coronavirus measures are in place.

The ICA official added: “This is especially important in hundreds of communities that have felt the impact of bushfires, hailstorms, floods and storms during the 2019-2020 Angry Summer of natural disasters, which have resulted in more than $4.6 billion in claims.”