COVID-19 RESOURCES
We recognize that during the pandemic, workplaces are dealing with a dynamic environment and are receiving directions from various authorities. We have been monitoring the BCCDC, WorkSafeBC, Provincial and Federal Government and to some extent the local health authorities and the World Health Organization websites on a regular basis attempting to bring you the most current information. However, in realizing that information is being updated on a regular basis, we encourage workers and employers to stay current in this changing environment.
On May 14, 2020, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) issued an order that is applicable to workplaces in British Columbia. This new order requires that safety plans be developed and posted at workplaces to help prevent the spread of SARS CoV 2, the virus leading to COVID – 19. You can access the order in this link.
In the order, the PHO refers to the Workers Compensation Act. WorkSafeBC (WSBC) has developed a template to assist employers in developing a safety plan for their workplace. In the WSBC links below, you will find a safety plan template and instructions for completing the safety plan. As stated on the safety plan template, it is required that when assessing the risks at the workplace, front line workers, supervisors, joint health and safety committee members and where applicable, the worker health and representative are involved in the process. You will also see at this WSBC link, industry specific resources that will assist in developing control measures to mitigate the identified risks.
Where Exposure Control Plans (ECP) are required as set out in section 6.34 of the occupational health and safety regulation, the information from your ECP should provide much of the information required by the safety plan. Please refer to section 6.34 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and the applicable guidelines for further information about which industries are required to have an ECP and for detailed directions as to what must be included in the ECP document.
In the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section of the WSBC link, you will see that WSBC indicates that some industries are not required to comply with 6.34 but instead are required to comply with section 5.2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. If you are unsure as to which sections of the regulation are applicable at your workplace, we encourage you to contact WorkSafeBC at 604-276-3100 in the lower mainland and 1-888-621-7233 in other areas of the province.
|
BCFED Health & Safety Centre & BCFED |
|
|
Webinar - Conducting a Risk Assessment / Exposure Control Plan (ECP) for COVID-19 Wednesday June 17, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
|
An overview of risk assessments, exposure control plans and the May 14, 2020 order from the Public Health Officer (PHO) requiring safety plans for workplaces in relation to COVID-19. An occupational hygienist will be part of the webinar. Q&A will follow the presentation.
For a summary of the webinar, click on this link: |
|
Webinar - Mental Health during COVID-19 - Building Psychologically Healthy Workplaces Wednesday June 24, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
|
Understand the impacts and challenges that workers may face to their mental health during the COVID -19 pandemic in the workplace and working from home. Topics will include awareness, potential effects, coping strategies and available helpful resources. Q&A will follow the presentation.
For a summary of the webinar, click on this link: |
|
Webinar - OH&S Committee role during COVID-19
Tuesday June 30, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
|
Participants will understand the role and responsibility joint occupational health and safety committees have during this unprecedented pandemic; including how to identify potential COVID-19 hazards, Inspecting the workplace for potential means of exposure, Investigation techniques and best practices. Q&A will follow the presentation.
For a summary of the webinar, click on this link: |
|
Webinar - OH&S Rights and Responsibilities
Wednesday July 8, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. |
Participants will understand the role and responsibility joint occupational health and safety committees have during this unprecedented pandemic; including how to identify potential COVID-19 hazards, Inspecting the workplace for potential means of exposure, Investigation techniques and best practices. Q&A will follow the presentation. For a summary of the webinar, click on this link: |
|
Webinar - Developing a COVID-19 Safety Plan
Thursday July 9, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. |
Coronavirus has changed workplaces across BC. We have done well provincially preventing the spread of the virus, and now, workplaces are reopening. To keep workers and the public safe, on May 14, 2020, our Provincial Health Officer issued a public health order requiring all workplaces to have and to post a COVID-19 Safety Plan. WorkSafeBC will be conducting workplace inspections and during that inspection, they may ask to see your COVID-19 Safety Plan. WorkSafeBC has produced resource documents to help employers and workers understand what is required in these plans. This webinar will provide guidance to employers, supervisors, joint committee members, and workers to understand what is required to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan. Q&A will follow the presentation. For a summary of the webinar, click on this link: |
COVID Inspection Checklist |
https://www.healthandsafetybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Inspection-Checklist.pdf |
|
COVID Investigation Checklist
|
https://www.healthandsafetybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Investigation-Checklist.pdf |
| A bulletin from the BCFED Health & Safety Centre providing basic info on joint committees, refusals of unsafe work, and exposure control plans. |
https://www.healthandsafetybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-OHS-Resources-Bulletin-1.pdf |
| The BC Federation of Labour will provide links to information and resources related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including government supports and labour advocacy material. |
|
| The Canadian Labour Congress has created a resource centre as part of its COVID-19 response. | https://canadianlabour.ca/home/covid-19-response/
|
| Other Organizations | |
| WorkSafeBC | |
| COVID-19 information and resources, including claims and reviews | https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates |
| COVID-19 Information specific to health and safety. | https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/health-and-safety |
| BC Centre for Disease Control | |
| BCCDC resources at a glance. | http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/resources-at-a-glance |
| BCCDC landing page for COVID-19 information. | http://covid-19.bccdc.ca/ |
| Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) | |
| Resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, including factsheets, posters, and online courses that have been made available free of charge. | https://www.ccohs.ca/topics/hazards/health/pandemics/ |
| Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Program hub for COVID-19 information (especially “Labour Program and federally regulated workplaces”). | https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Government of British Columbia landing page for COVID-19 information. | www.gov.bc.ca/covid19 |
| Public Health Agency of Canada hub for COVID-19 information. | https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html |
| World Health Organization hub for COVID-19 information. | https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 |
| International Labour Organization hub for COVID-19 and the world of work. | https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/coronavirus/lang--en/index.htm |
| The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) collects information from affiliates related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. | https://www.ituc-csi.org/covid-19-responses |
Don’t see what you are looking for? Need more help? Send us an email at ohsadmin@bcfed.ca
