COVID-19 OVERVIEW AND UPDATE
The safety, health and wellbeing of our staff, members, clients, suppliers, contractors and the community will always be our highest priority – particularly in the current pandemic.
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NATA management is constantly monitoring pandemic developments and seeking up-to-date Australian Government advice as well as feedback from staff, members and clients on how to ensure a safe work environment. GENERAL SAFEGUARDS NATA has implemented a range of COVID-19 safeguards that meet Australian Government and State Health Authority guidelines including: • Office premises: The provision of deep cleaning practices to disinfect common touch points in our office premises • Social distancing: Strictly observing social distancing requirements • Staff travel: Domestic and international air travel is in strict accordance with Australian Government COVID-19 directives • Visitor access: We have requested that visitors reconsider their need to come to our offices and seek online communication options as an alternative
Annual Report 2020
• Communication with Authorised Representatives: We will continue to communicate with all stakeholders on COVID-19 developments and note NATA is striving to deliver all its services in a manner consistent with the latest advice and guidance • NATA website: With the changing nature of the virus, we encourage all stakeholders to review our website for updated COVID-19 information as it relates to various areas of our operations. COVID-19 ASSESSMENTS In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving effects on our staff and clients, an alternative in-office approach to assessment activities has been developed for Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) that continue to operate during this period and for which an on-site activity cannot be conducted. The scope of the in-office assessment is the same whether it replaces a reassessment or surveillance visit. The new activity involves a review of requested documentation and records and the outcome of the review allows us to establish a level of reassurance that the accreditation criteria continues to be satisfied.
Overall, the in-office and remote activities have allowed NATA to manage any assessment backlog caused by COVID-19 and when restrictions are raised, on-site assessments will resume. A new Emergency Laboratory Monitoring Service (ELMS) has also been established for use in emergency situations where the health, safety and/or economic wellbeing of Australians may be compromised by a lack of relevant NATA accredited conformity assessment activities. As we work through the COVID-19 challenges, we extend our appreciation to all our staff and stakeholders as they continue to work and give their time during the pandemic. This support has been key to enabling NATA to continue to offer its services and is particularly appreciated at this time when all our lives are disrupted both professionally and personally.
