EHSC Virtual Breakfast Forum – WorkSafe BCs Approach to COVID-19

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EHSC Virtual Breakfast Forum
8:00 – 9:00am
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Zoom Conference Call

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topic: WorkSafe BCs Approach to COVID-19

We had a fantastic turnout this week for a special presentation by Worksafe BC at this week’s EHSBC Breakfast Forum. COVID-19 is top of mind for all of us, so it was very timely for the group to learn about the approach WSBC is taking with regards to managing workplaces during the pandemic.

WSBC is taking guidance from Public Health officers to develop an approach on how to evaluate employers & workers in essential service organizations that had to remain open.  It is understood that maintaining physical distancing can be challenging in many workplaces due to the types of jobs that are being done, and using PPE in the various workplaces can be difficult. WSBC is still open for business, however, they are now doing 50% of their inspections remotely to avoid putting officers at risk.

WSBC considers these factors when offering consultations with employers vis-à-vis COVID-19 and the workplace:

  • does this particular work need to be done, or by workers in the same environment at the same time, and how can we best maintain the physical distance?
  • How is the employer controlling the workers on-site?
  • Do all workers need to be at work?
  • Is the employer identifying everything that must be done to prevent exposure?
  • Does the facility have adequate hygiene at the workplace (washing stations with soap or sanitizer)?
  • Do staff know not to come to work if not feeling well? Is the organization supportive of this?
  • Ensuring that workers are included as part of this wellness discussion to get worker buy-in
  • Employers should encourage workers to keep their minds on task as best as possible to avoid distraction that might lead to physical injury, resulting from mental health concerns due to the pandemic

WSBC reports that they have seen employers doing things to help protect workers such as:

  • staggering shifts
  • ensuring adequate cleaning of horizontal surfaces regularly
  • ensuring availability of washing stations, soap or sanitizer and paper towel
  • appointing an onsite “COVID-19 Officer” to review practices to make sure people are adhering to the provincial health guidelines at all times

WSBC is not mandating that workers wear a facemask upon return to work, but that employers review the overall possibility of transmission and prevention.

If a workplace has a positive case of COVID-19, if it is presumed to be work-related then their regular reporting of injury needs to be adhered to, to determine if the workplace was the cause.

Employers still have an obligation to ensure their employees’ health and safety when they are working from home. WSBC recommends to employers to prepare a checklist/self-assessment tool to run through when staff is at home to ensure there is an appropriate setup, the area is adequately lit, etc.

WSBC has created a fantastic resource page on their website with a page dedicated to COVID-19. The to this is in the Resources tab on the EHSCBC website https://ehscbc.ca/COVID-19-resources/.

WSBC has also set up a phone number open to both workers and employers, staffed by 30 prevention officers 24/7 to be available to answer questions. The number is:  604-276-3100.

Moving forward, WSBC is starting to turn attention to business resumption and how they can be of support, taking the lead from the provincial health office. Guidance for return to work is being formulated based on an industry by industry basis, working with Health and Safety Associations.