Q1:

Have you assessed the risks in your workplace with COVID-19 transmission in mind?

You answered: [235]

[if 235 show=value equals=”Yes”]You’re off to a great start! Remember to check your workplace regularly to ensure that any new risks are identified quickly and appropriately managed. Observe your team and ask them for their input, to make sure that the intended controls are suitable and actually work.[/if 235]

[if 235 show=value equals=”Maybe”] Use this risk assessment template to help you assess the risks and record the details. Walk around your workplace systematically, identifying situations where the risk of COVID-19 transmission may be possible and then think about what steps you could take to control the risk. You should continue to assess the workplace after operations resume to ensure that any new risks are identified and managed.[/if 235]

Q2:

Have you implemented measures to control the risk of COVID-19 transmission in your workplace?

You answered: [241]

[if 241 show=value equals=”Yes”]Well done! Remember to review the control measures regularly and take steps if the risk isn’t being adequately controlled or you come up with a better idea.[/if 241]

[if 241 show=value equals=”Maybe”]We are here to help you get started on this! Review the following headings and consider the appropriate controls that you need to introduce in your workplace, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Cleaning

Implement a cleaning protocol for all common areas and surfaces, including washrooms, equipment, tools, common tables, desks, light switches and door handles. Train your workers to make sure they know what to clean and which materials to use. Monitor and be prepared to add to your cleaning protocol if something has been missed or needs to be cleaned more regularly. Here is a cleaning and disinfection plan for surfaces and structures.

Remove any unnecessary tools or equipment that may elevate the risk of transmission, including items like coffee makers, self-serve drink dispensers and shared utensils and plates.

Personal hygiene

Provide adequate hand-washing facilities on site for all workers and ensure the location is visible and easily accessible. As an alternative, where hand-washing facilities are not available, be sure to provide hand sanitizer.

Develop policies around when workers must wash their hands, including upon arriving for work, before and after breaks, after handling cash or other materials, before and after handling common tools and equipment and after sneezing or coughing. Print and display this handwashing poster in your workplace.

Here is a poster on cough and sneeze etiquette, for your workplace.

Physical distancing

Consider reducing the overall number of workers at the workplace at one time. Consider remote working, staggering shifts, or rescheduling some non-essential work tasks.

Ensure that the appropriate number of people are in each area of the workplace to prevent workers from coming too close to one another or members of the public. This may be achieved by posting occupancy limits (e.g., on elevators, washrooms, and other small spaces) and limiting the number of workers at one time in break locations. Here is an occupancy limit poster that you can use in your workplace:

Maintain a distance of two metres between workers and others wherever possible, by revising work schedules, organizing work tasks, and employing the use of trolleys or other aids for work tasks that would typically be carried out by more than one person.

Implement measures to ensure workers can maintain a safe distance of two metres when working with or near members of the public. Where a two metre distance cannot be maintained, consider separating people with partitions or plexiglass barriers.

Where other control measures are not possible in the situation, consider the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks or gloves, understanding that these have limitations. Take a look at this PPE poster showing the correct sequence for putting it on. You may also be interested in this infosheet on selecting and using different types of masks and this poster on how to use a mask correctly.[/if 241]

Q3:

Have you developed appropriate policies in your workplace to help manage COVID-19?

You answered: [247]

[if 247 show=value equals=”Yes”] Fantastic. Remember to revisit your policies regularly, as provincial health orders, guidance and notices are updated and BC’s restart plan progresses, with further resources and protocols released by WorkSafeBC. [/if 247]

[if 247 show=value equals=”Maybe”]We have created some policy templates that you can adapt to reflect your business. You will need to personalize your policies, of course, but this is a great starting point.

Here is a COVID-19 screening tool template.

Here are some procedures to apply to your workplace if any workers are working alone.

Here is a guide for workers who are working from home.

Here is some further information regarding how to set up an organized and comfortable home workstation.

Here is some information on occupational first aid attendant protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is some further information on developing an appropriate violence prevention program in your workplace.[/if 247]

Q4:

Have you developed communication plans and training?

You answered: [253]

[if 253 show=value equals=”Yes”]Well done! This is a great time to reiterate your general workplace rules around occupational health and safety, as well as covering any new COVID-19 related information.[/if 253]

[if 253 show=value equals=”Maybe”]Your employees need to understand the significance of the controls you have put in place if they are to follow them. Remember that you may be introducing these controls for the first time and it is important to explain what the procedures are and what your expectations are. Take the time to communicate how workers can protect themselves and others and this will motivate them to comply.

Here is an employee (re)orientation checklist that you can use with your new and returning staff. Be sure to include details of any new COVID-19 controls that you need to familiarize your team members with.

Watch our short webinar recording on getting your employees back to work and keeping them safe once they are there.

Here is a short online course about reopening for business during a pandemic. The course is suitable for employers, supervisors, managers, and workers and it highlights how to respond to the pandemic and plan for a safer workplace.

[/if 253]

Q5:

Have you thought about ongoing monitoring of your workplace and the need to update your plans if things change?

You answered: [259]

[if 259 show=value equals=”Yes”]That’s great. Do you have a mechanism in place to show when you last reviewed your COVID-19 related plans? This could be as simple as adding a review sheet to your documents and signing and dating each time you make a change, or printing a new copy with a version number. The important thing to remember is that your plans should reflect your specific workplace and understand that things will change. Therefore, forms and templates must be personalized and then reviewed and updated regularly, to show how you are continuing to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission.[/if 259]

[if 259 show=value equals=”Maybe”]This is all still new and it will take time to integrate and refine your processes. The important thing is that you have started the process! Continue to monitor your workplace, focusing on areas where COVID-19 transmission is possible, and noticing where an existing control isn’t working and may need to be modified. Discuss any concerns with team members and involve your joint health and safety committee or worker representative in the process. Make sure that your employees know who to go to if they have any health and safety concerns.[/if 259]