How COVID-19 Affects Safety in Your Workplace

Safety measures in the COVID era are crucial for safe business operations.

In industrial and construction sites, restrictions on activity can be implemented and eased as we move through ebbs and surges of the virus. A slew of new health and safety measures need to be adhered to for companies to work.

With so many changes as a result of COVID-19, it could be challenging for employers to keep up. In this post, essential information on how coronavirus affects workplace safety is spelled out.

Who Should Undertake COVID-19 Risk Assessment at the Workplace?

Employers have the sole responsibility to initiate COVID-19 risk assessment at their job site.

When all factors that contribute to containing the spread of COVID are identified, necessary measures have to be taken.

Employers can enlist the services of a safety training for your team by a professional safety consulting company.

Key Consideration for COVID-19 Risk Assessment at Job Sites

To ensure your COVID-19 prevention measures do not hit the rocks, vital steps have to be taken:

• Put together a safety plan against SARS COV-2
• Assign a pandemic compliance manager among your staff members
• Keep your staff updated with information on workplace control and legal requirements
• Assess your plan for any potential failure points
• Adhere to enforcement guidelines laid down by local and provincial authorities and inspectors

If all the above are met, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining a safe workplace during the COVID era.

Which Rules Hold for COVID-19 Safety Practices at the Workplace

Authorities across Canada (including Ontario) make the odd exception for industries where mass human contact cannot be avoided. But even with this stance towards construction and industrial firms, several instruments are in effect.

Take a look at this overview to know which rules are in force for coronavirus prevention in Canadian workplaces:

Occupational Health and Safety Act – employers have to consider COVID-19 as a workplace hazard and enact pandemic precautions

Keep Ontario Safe & Open Framework – The Keep Ontario Safe and Open (KOSO) framework necessitates pandemic public health sensitization for employees in Ontario Province

Other legislative instruments in effect to govern safety measures against COVID-19 are:

• Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA)
• Reopening Ontario Act
• Health Protection and Promotion Act

All these acts are in effect across Ontario. But in some cases, the Reopening Ontario Act can revoke orders from the EMCPA.

Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID at Worksites

To ensure safety at worksites, it is essential for workers to adhere to the following:

• Wearing of face masks by workers and employers at all times
• Donning of goggles and face shields along with masks where social distancing could be challenging
• Frequent handwashing (before and after handling worksite tools)
• Disinfecting your hands with high alcohol-based sanitizer
• Social distancing in line with recommendations by authorities
• Managing coughs when social distancing could be challenging (covering your cough with a dry cloth)
• Regular environment disinfection before the start of work each day
• Increased awareness and safety of staff members to COVID-19 protocols

With these measures strictly adhered to, there is a higher chance of safe work operations without any COVID-19 spread.

Companies & Workplaces Trust ACT for COVID-19 Safety Training in Ontario

At Advanced Consulting and Training Ltd., we remain poised to delivering the latest safety information and training to clients.

Contact us today for more information, and take the necessary steps towards increased safety against coronavirus at your job site.