COVID-19 Safety Plan
At Valley All-Door, we have developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan, outlining the control measures, policies, procedures, protocols, communication plans, training, and monitoring processes necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at our workplace. One of a family of coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 is the biological hazard that causes the illness COVID-19.
Our plan follows the six-step process as outlined by WorkSafeBC. By order of the Provincial Health Officer, we have posted a copy of our COVID-19 Safety Plan on our website and at the workplace. This is readily available for review by workers, as well as visitors, contractors, suppliers, and any other person who could be providing services at our workplace.
STEP 1 Assess the risks at the workplace
To assess the risk of transmission of COVID-19, we have consulted:
Information about COVID-19 as offered by the Public Health Authorities.
We have identified the areas/jobs/tasks/equipment that may present a risk of transmission of COVID-19. All of our service technicians have their own fleet vehicles, their own tools, and work alone onsite. We have ensured our service technicians are supplied with appropriate PPE and frequently wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer if handwashing is unavailable to them. We also determined who could be at risk of exposure, including workers, contractors, suppliers, and the public. With this in mind, we took at least one of these three steps:
Updated risk assessment.
Developed an Exposure Control Plan (ECP) for COVID-19, which includes a risk assessment
STEPS 2 Implement protocols to reduce the risks
To determine what control measures are required, we have consulted the following:
The Industry-specific protocols on worksafebc.com that apply to our industry. We have reviewed and considered other protocol pages that contained useful information.
Complying with all the orders, guidance, and notices issued by the provincial health office that are relevant to our industry.
We have reviewed materials provided by health and safety industry associations.
Reviewed our protocols since developing our original COVID-19 Safety Plan to ensure they are still appropriate.
We have selected the most appropriate controls that provide the highest degree of protection to our employees, following the hierarchy or controls.
The control measures we have identified as necessary for our company are listed in our documented risk assessment as indicated in Step 1. Based on that assessment, with reference to the above resources, we have implemented necessary controls and developed/updated the following policies, procedures and protocols:
Physical Distancing
We have established and restricted the occupancy limit in our workplace. The total amount of persons allowed in our office, including customers and employees at this time, is 4.
We are unable to work from home at this time. The business owner and receptionist are the only two working from our Langley office.
Rearranged furniture in work areas.
Modified work schedules. Our technicians come into the office to drop paperwork/restock supplies/tools at separate times to limit the risk of transmission and ensure physical distance.
Barriers
At this time, no barriers are needed in the workplace.
Masks
Mask policy – All patrons are required to wear a mask upon entering. We have a sign located on the front door instructing them to do so. All employees are to wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible. If employees are alone at their workstations, they are not required to wear a mask.
Cleaning and hygiene
The virus that causes COVID-19 is easily destroyed by mild soap and water. It is important to clean and disinfect surfaces, especially high-contact surfaces, which are surfaces that are contacted frequently and/or by many people.
Remove surface dirt and debris to work surfaces. Use soap or detergent as a cleaning agent.
For cleaning use regular soap and water or another cleaning solution. There is soap and water, alcohol-based sanitizer, and Lysol disinfectant wipes readily available in the office.
Frequent handwashing. If employees are unable to wash their hands, they are to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Provided appropriate training and materials for all employees.
Cleaning schedule – all work surfaces which include, keyboards, photocopiers, phones, desks, light switches, doorknobs, etc. are to be cleaned with a disinfectant wipe at the end of every day. If employees are using the same work surface, disinfect and sanitize hands after each use.
Developed and communicated policies for good hygiene practices.
Any issues related to cleaning the workplace are to be reported to Mark, the business owner, or Nicole, the office administrator.
STEP 3 Developing policies
Policies support our employees by letting everyone know what’s expected of them and how to conduct themselves safely. Our policies are up to date and all employees at VADD know them:
Daily health checklist
Working alone procedures
Visitor’s policy
Hand hygiene procedures
Reporting symptoms in the workplace
Enhanced Cleaning protocol for common areas
Long-Distance Travelling Guidelines
PPE Policy
The owner and employees have been made aware of these policies/procedures/protocols.
STEP 4 Develop communication plans and training
To ensure workers, contractors and visitors know how to stay safe at our workplace, we have:
Developed plans to communicate new and updated policies to all of our employees.
Monitoring workplace protocols to make sure they are being followed.
Posted awareness posters throughout our workplace(s): limited occupancy, distancing reminder, sanitizing station, stop sign, feeling symptoms, handwashing station.
Chosen the use of virtual meeting tools and/or phone calls in lieu of in-person meetings or training sessions, whenever possible. However, all required control measures, such as physical distancing, must be in place if communication or training must take place in person.
If employees raise concerns about workers or members or the public not following protocols, they are to advise office staff to take appropriate steps.
Everyone at VADD has been made aware of these policies/procedures/protocols.
STEP 5 Monitor our workplace and update our plans as needed
As the pandemic situation changes, we are doing the following to monitor changes in our operations and workplace(s) to ensure that control measures are effectively providing the expected level of protection and prevention.
Workers are aware of how to report workplace hazards.
Workers are aware of how to report symptoms of COVID-19.
We review all workplace inspections to check for new areas/jobs/tasks of concern.
We re-assess our cleaning and hygiene practices and protocols.
We update our policies/procedures/protocols accordingly.
We re-assess communication and training needs accordingly.
STEP 6 Assess and address risks from resuming operations or getting back to normal
For areas within our operations or workplace that have not been operating normally during this pandemic and would now be re-started or re-occupied, we have completed the following:
Reviewed our existing risk assessments for the jobs and areas affected. We have considered the effects of the control measures discussed in this Plan on existing safeguards and controls and revised our risk assessments accordingly.
Ensured all work areas have been inspected before resuming regular operations.
Re-assessed communication and training needs accordingly.
Communicated plans to employees.
Ensure all fleet vehicles are stocked with appropriate PPE.