To avoid large gatherings, how would you advise to proceed with monthly JHSC meetings?MSABC System Account2021-02-18T11:18:08-08:00

If possible, use Teams, Zoom, Skype, or another tool to connect the team remotely where possible to avoid close contact. These tools allow recording, simplifying minute-taking, and communication with the rest of the staff. These meetings are especially important in this environment to ensure that employers and employees are working collaboratively to reduce anxiety and implement effective controls. If a meeting has to be held onsite, look for a meeting space that allows effective distancing. Any employee who is feeling unwell should not be in the room, or in the workplace at all.

Do employees who have been working in close proximity (<2 metres) to a positively diagnosed worker, have to go into self-isolation if they were wearing a face mask and face shield (ppe)?MSABC System Account2021-02-18T11:18:08-08:00

Close contacts include people living together, family members who interact closely, people who work in close physical proximity to each other, and anyone providing direct care to, or having other close physical contact with another person. Whether a worker should self-isolate will depend on their particular situation.

There are many situations where a worker may be a close contact of a person who may have been exposed to or contracted COVID-19. For example:

• Someone returning from another country who is subject to quarantine and self-isolation requirements
• An essential worker who continues to travel
• A health care or social sector worker
• A person who has a confirmed or presumed diagnosis of COVID-19
• A person who is showing signs of illness, such as a fever or a new cough.

The BCCDC requires people who are contacts of a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 to self-isolate.

The Provincial Health Officer and BC Ministry of Health have published the following guidance documents on self-isolation for people who are or may have been exposed to COVID-19:

• Guide for caregivers and household members of those with COVID-19 ('close contacts') provides practical guidance for caring for or living with someone who has COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms
• Self-Isolation for Multi-Generational Households provides advice about how to self-isolate after arriving home from travelling, and guidance around how to self-isolate when living with others.
• Essential Workers Returning to BC sets out the requirements of the Federal Quarantine Act Order and the Provincial Health Officer Order for returning travelers and provides advice for essential workers who travel outside of BC around self-isolating
• Self-isolation for travelers returning to Canada or exposure to a COVID-19 case provides direction for people who have returned from travel outside of Canada, and anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19
• Social Service Providers provides guidance for social service providers, including workers in shelters and group homes, who may have exposure to COVID-19.

A person who is living with someone who is self-isolating may also consider self-isolating if they are not able to avoid contact with the person in their home, or if they believe there is an increased risk for developing COVID-19.

Do first aid attendants require additional training?MSABC System Account2021-02-18T11:18:08-08:00

Yes, attendants should receive specific training and education on how they should protect themselves, and on proper disinfection protocols.

Do the 29 CFR 1910 OSHA regulation help for program design and COR certification?Jean Fong2024-12-12T07:40:48-08:00

29 CFR 1910 includes requirements that help in understanding a portion of COR/OSSE requirements, but it does not cover all COR/OSSE requirements.

Do we only assess travel time to ambulance stations or can we also use nearest hospital?Jean Fong2024-08-15T10:36:03-07:00The definition of “remote” in the amended regulation is:

A workplace to which, under normal travel conditions, an ambulance that is a motor vehicle cannot travel from its base in 30 minutes or less but does not include a ferry.

An ambulance base means an ambulance station; therefore, you cannot calculate the distance to/from your worksite to the nearest hospital. Note: If the distance from the nearest ambulance station to your worksite is impacting you by moving you into a different workplace class (due to now being considered remote), then the distance from the nearest hospital would (e.g., from Class 1 to Class 2), you may consider applying for a variance.

Do workers that were laid off now have to be re-oriented by their employer if they are re-hired?MSABC System Account2021-02-18T11:18:08-08:00

Use your joint health and safety committee or worker representative to identify risks and effective controls for your workplace.

Do you have suggestion for conducting JHSC meetings when worker memebers do not have computer access?MSABC System Account2021-02-18T11:18:08-08:00

Section 37(2) (previously 131(2)) of the Act requires a joint committee to meet at least once a month.

A JHSC must develop its own Rules of Procedures, which should include rules on how and when meetings will be held.

Historically, most JHSC meetings were held in person, but the Act does not prevent teleconference or virtual meetings. A joint committee could temporarily adopt new procedures for virtual or telephone meetings for the duration of the pandemic.

In-person JHSC meetings may continue for a small number of people in a space large enough to allow safe physical distances.

Each workplace is different, and the employer and workers are in the best positions to find something that will be effective, given the unique nature of their work, workforce, and workplace.

Does shaming/demeaning unvaccinated workers constitute workplace harassment, and if yes what would the consequences be?Anna Rowinska2021-09-13T14:42:04-07:00Yes, it certainly is, employers should prohibit any form of harassment, discipline, reprisal, intimidation, or retaliation based on an employee's or contractor’s decision to get or not get vaccinated. Employees that discriminate against or bully a fellow employee or contractor because of their decision to vaccinate or not to vaccinate can be subject to discipline, up to and including termination for cause. A lot of employers have a Respectful Workplace Policy in place, which would may prohibit any form of harassment or discrimination at the workplace, including related to one's vaccination status and outline a complaint procedure for dealing with this. For our clients who implemented a Vaccination Policy, we have included language on this specifically in the Policy.

Does this legislation apply to work related injuries only, or non-work-related injuries as well?Anna Rowinska2024-01-24T14:07:14-08:00Teresa (WorkSafeBC): The new legislation provides a legal framework for supporting an injured worker’s return to, or continuation of work.

Dr. Henry advised that religious belief is not a legitimate reason for not getting vaccinated. Is this accurate?Anna Rowinska2021-09-13T14:40:51-07:00I am not aware of this specific statement. However, she did advise that there will be no exemptions to the B.C. mandate and passport at this time, during this period of increased risk. As an employer, you do need to provide protection and accommodation to employees who are protected under the British Columbia Human Rights Code, such as for a medical or sincere religious belief. Under human rights legislation, protection of a religious belief or practice is triggered when a person can show that they sincerely believe that the belief or practice (a) has a connection with religion; and (b) is “experientially religious in nature”: Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem, 2004 SCC 47 at para. 69. That being said, there have been no confirmed major religions to my knowledge that hold this belief. One driver for testing sincerity is the fact that no major organized religion objects to the vaccines, and Roman Catholic and other Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders have advised followers to get the shots. Pope Francis went so far as to say that getting vaccinated was “the moral choice because it is about your life but also the lives of others.”