The Altus Board and Executive takes its responsibility to its customers, staff, their families and the public very seriously. We have been meeting frequently to assess the growing risks associated with the coronavirus and how we should respond. With the threat of the virus escalating, we are continuing to follow the advice of health authorities and the Australian Government, as well as the needs of our customers and staff.

In our duty and responsibility to act in each of their interests, the following decisions have been made and actioned to manage the real, potential and perceived health, financial and reputational risks to Altus, it’s staff and customers. These include:

• Regular, direct and transparent communication with staff
  Altus has been communicating frequently with field and office-based staff to inform them of a range of issues relevant to the current circumstances. These include: steps to promote personal health and safety; expectations of personal responsibility and reporting having regard to travel, the presentation of symptoms, or being in contact with such people; changes to our operating model having regard to measures that mitigate excessive staff contact and maintain business continuity; and linking staff to available published health resources.

• Safe Work Method Statements
  Altus has updated its SWMS to reflect new operating conditions regarding social distancing protocols. These include detailed advice regarding the use of vehicles, accommodation on away works, pre-starts, toolboxes and site works. Customers are being asked to support us in our endeavours to maintain social distancing in accordance with State Health guidelines.

• Central monitoring and collection of risk-based data
  Altus is maintaining details of staff travel movements and health status and are actively seeking updates from customers on details that may indicate potential exposure of staff. This is allowing us to manage risks quickly and more effectively.

• Central monitoring and maintenance of customer requirements
  Altus is maintaining all customer and supply chain communications regarding the coronavirus centrally with a view to providing timely responses to requests for information, or confirming updates to existing operating models where these are requested and possible.

• Business continuity testing and assurance
  Altus has moved to a full remote work model for office staff, having undertaken remote work testing of each of its core functions to ensure it can continue to support customer fulfillment in response to a range of identified scenarios. Central to this approach is the split of key teams between work and remote locations, as well as updated travel advice, to manage the potential risk of exposure across the organisation.

•  Cancellation of all non-essential travel and group functions
  All non-essential travel and attendance at large public events has been cancelled. Similarly, internal and external staff toolboxes are being postponed or where unavoidable (such as for inductions or pre-starts), limited to small groups.

• Minimised rotations
  Altus is limiting the rotation of field staff among customers and worksites where possible, so as to reduce the potential for exposed individuals to be brought into new work environments.

•  Meeting emerging needs
  The Altus Events team has pivoted to supporting urgent requests for new social distancing management requirements regarding demand management, social distancing set ups and border crossings. We are working closely with customers in these areas to provide them with the solutions they need to continue operating safely. 

We consider ourselves to be fortunate to be in a position to continue working in support of Essential Services delivery, whilst ensuring that our staff and the public remain safe.

Every part of the Altus team throughout Australia is committed to the wellbeing of their customers and colleagues. We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to getting everyone home safely through this challenging time.

Sincerely,

Jeff Doyle,
CEO

Further information:

James Pennings                                                 
EGM – Sales, Strategy & Marketing                     
0408 924 607                                                    
james.pennings@altustraffic.com.au                  

Ben Marsonet
EGM – Operations
0428 527 288
ben.marsonet@altustraffic.com.au