Employers get answers to their questions about how provincial health orders affect business operations.
Photo credit: iStock.com/dragana991
On December 14, Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, updated the public health order. The update affects all employers, and some of the recent requirements include:
- Employers must ensure that every worker performs a daily health check before entering the workplace.
- Masks are required in many indoor public settings and all retail stores. Details of the public mask requirements and a new workplace poster are available from WorkSafeBC.
- Employers are required to review their COVID-19 Safety Plan. This guide can help you review and update your Safety Plan.
How do you conduct daily health checks at work?
WorkSafeBC outlines information on its website about worker health checks. It states that a health check can be done by workers verbally, in writing, or online. It’s also important that workers are trained on how to complete the health check.
You can review the list of symptoms and some possible questions on this downloadable poster for your workplace.
Employers’ frequently asked questions
Recently I spoke with Anne Dobson-Mack, a senior prevention advisor with WorkSafeBC, about how employers can find information on implementing COVID-19 orders in their workplaces. She suggests employers see these COVID-19 FAQs.
“We update our website as quickly as possible whenever there’s new information to share,” Anne says.
Employers and workers can also call the WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line (1.888.621.SAFE) and speak with a prevention officer. So far, WorkSafeBC has fielded about 20,000 inquiries about COVID-19 on its phone line. As new questions arise, they’re added — with answers — to its online resources.
Thanks to Anne for talking with me — and to all prevention officers who are helping employers protect their workers and the public.
