The Renfrew County and District Health Unit is updating its COVID-19 Workplace Directive to reflect the realities of the second wave of the virus.
In Renfrew County and District, we recently had our first workplace in which we
had multiple employees who tested positive for COVID-19, all connected to the workplace.
Strict contact tracing, and the fact only a small number of staff were affected meant the outbreak was easily contained.
The key to workplace safety is the understanding that the biggest risk is from staff- the people
who spend the most time on site, not clients and customers who tend to be in and out of a
premises.
Do not go to work if you have symptoms. Limit your interaction with colleagues, both while on the job and during breaks.
Dr. Cushman, Acting Medical Officer of Health, RCDHU says that not paying close attention to symptoms can have much greater consequences in terms of shutting a business down and putting an entire team out of work.
Under Ontario law, employers have the duty to keep workers and workplaces safe and free of
hazards, including COVID-19. It is critical that employers take responsibility for ensuring the
appropriate measures are in place.
Employers should direct workers to complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool daily to help monitor
for symptoms and proper guidance.
Employers should support employees who are instructed by the self-assessment tool to remain at home
and self-isolate.
They should ensure that the employee contacts the Renfrew County Virtual Triage Assessment Centre
(RC VTAC) at 1-844-727-6404 to book an appointment for testing.
Should the employee not want to be tested, they must self-isolate for 14 days, and can return to work when it has been 24 hours since symptoms started improving.
The employer is required to send employees home from work if they are sick or symptomatic and instruct them to remain at home, self-isolate and contact the Renfrew County Virtual Triage Assessment
Centre to book an appointment for testing.
Employers should ensure that employees wear appropriate personal protective equipment at all times,
including masks and facial coverings, practice physical distancing, thorough hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
The employer should ensure that commonly touched surfaces are regularly disinfected throughout the
workplace.
The employer shall consider policies and practices such as teleworking arrangements, flexible hours,
staggering start times for employees, as well as the use of email and teleconferencing.
The employer should prepare a contingency plan for possible increased absences due to illness in employees and their family members.
Employees must work with their employers to adhere to all local public health measures.
If an employee has concerns that a co-worker is showing COVID-19 symptoms, the worker should raise
concerns with a supervisor, joint health and safety committee, or a health and safety rep.
Employees who have questions or concerns regarding safety in the workplace
can contact the Health & Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development investigates all complaints related to
workplace health and safety under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and
works closely with the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario to provide support, advice
and enforcement, as needed.
Failure of the employer to comply with the OHSA and its regulations could result in a stop-work order upon inspection by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
For more information, visit RCDHU’s website.
