BHP has continued to operate its business as usual following its first positive cases of COVID-19 on site at its Yandi operation, due to the company’s controls and protocols.
According to the company, throughout the pandemic BHP has established robust, critical controls to manage COVID-19 risks and help keep its workforce, their families, and the communities where it operates safe.
BHP processing production superintendent Mayra Carrasco, who is responsible for leading Yandi’s processing team and ensuring the safe operation of the ore handling plant, said is due to the rapid response by the company’s health and safety team and the controls in place.
“We’re looking after each other more than ever before, ensuring we are all following the COVID-19 controls to keep ourselves, our families and communities safe,” Carrasco said.
“The health and wellbeing of our people is always our top priority. Regular and consistent communication has been key in ensuring our workforce continue to feel safe and supported on site.”
These controls include rapid antigen testing for all employees and contractors, physical distancing, vaccinations, good hygiene practices and wearing surgical masks.
WA Emergency Response Team Leader Yanni Kotsos said before anyone flies to one of BHP’s remote operations, they need to provide proof of vaccination, complete an online health screening form, and visit airport screening facilities for a rapid antigen test and temperature check.
“While on site, everyone needs to follow the rules, whether that’s wearing a mask, physical distancing, or using anti-bacterial spray to wipe clean commonly used surfaces in light vehicles and locomotive cabs,” Kotsos said.
“We’ve been doing this for a while now, and our employees have been great at cooperating to help keep us safe.”
BHP’s manager village operations WA Cintra James is tasked with keeping residents COVID safe during their stay in BHP’s villages and camps.
She’s also leading the charge to ensure employees who are isolated onsite are well supported and cared for during their seven-day isolation period.
“Our team maintains the highest hygiene standard with regular cleaning of rooms, gyms, common areas and dining halls, and ensures physical distancing limits and other controls are set up in our dining and crib areas,” she said.
“The health and wellbeing of our people is critically important through quarantine and we have a range of measures in place to provide support, from regular check-ins, meals and snacks delivered, a linen cleaning service, and special care packs containing puzzles, magazines, to help them as they isolate away from family and friends.”