Frequently Asked Questions

The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation and the Workers Compensation Act do not require employers to implement health monitoring for COVID-19, such as checking temperatures or recording symptoms. Some employers may consider incorporating health monitoring into their COVID-19 policies. Employers may wish to get advice from an employment lawyer about how to balance workplace safety, human rights, and privacy issues before implementing such monitoring into their COVID-19 policy.

Employers have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of workers. As part of this, employers must develop policies and procedures that address how to eliminate or minimize the risk of worker exposure to COVID-19 in their workplace (OHSR 5.2). They must ensure these are communicated to everyone at the workplace and that workers and supervisors are trained in their responsibilities and rights, and the COVID-19 policies and procedures should be applied fairly and consistently.

The gathering and use of employees' medical information is typically private and confidential and it is governed by Employment Law, including privacy and human rights law in an employment context, and is outside of our jurisdiction. As much as we would like to be helpful and provide advice on such questions, we cannot properly do so. The advice we can provide to employers about medical information (which is typically private and confidential) is limited to the employer's obligations to provide that information in the OHS context (e.g. EIIR, inspections).

No, face shields are not a replacement for a face mask.  

Face shields may be used when masks are not an option:

  • When communicating using lip-reading, when visual facial cues are essential, or when people may be unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition, a face shield may be an alternative to no mask.  
  • Some face shields may provide better protection than others. When needed, use face shields that wrap around your face and extend below the chin as well as hooded face shields. 
  • Non-medical clear masks that cover the nose and mouth are another option when visual communication is necessary. These options have not been widely assessed for their effectiveness.  

Source: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks  
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/about-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html#a8   

More information:

See the video answer to this question.

Testing is currently available in an optional pilot program at YVR for WestJet domestic flights. Asymptomatic private testing is also available for travel and work purposes by appointment in-terminal and on Sea Island. Details here.

All workers who regularly attend a workplace must be included in the worker count for that workplace, even if they are on-site only briefly. When determining the minimum first aid requirements for a workplace, employers should count dispatched or transient workers as follows:
  • Count as one worker each dispatched worker who stays within 10 minutes' surface travel time from the workplace for more than 50% of the shift.
  • Count one-quarter of the number of workers who travel more than 10 minutes' surface travel time from the workplace more than 50% of the shift.
  • Pro-rate the number of transient workers based on an estimation of the time they attend the workplace. For example, if a warehouse has eight loading bays that are serviced by a fleet of delivery trucks throughout the day, the employer may determine that it is reasonable to include an additional eight workers for the purpose of determining first aid requirements at the warehouse, if that is the maximum number of delivery drivers that are likely to be at the workplace at any given time.
Separate first aid assessment(s) are required for dispatched workers when they are not present at the central location.

Fraser Health has worked with WorkSafeBC to enhance proactive inspections for select industries. This is because these industries have been demonstrated to have high rates of transmission and/or large outbreaks and because these industries are critically important; aggressive control measures required once transmission occurs can be very costly for all parties.

Having COVID testing as part of your approach to keep your employees safe is very likely an acceptable method of risk mitigation. It could also play a big role in accommodating workers with medical or religious reasons for not being vaccinated. You may be able to access rapid antigen tests for your workplace.
A good opportunity to talk about AstraZeneca. Public Health was able to extend the availability of AstraZeneca to many people. Many people took the vaccine who were under 40 to protect themselves and their communities. The emergence of knowledge of the side effects; the clotting side effect that we see in a small number of people is very concerning. We received many calls to discuss that issue. This is a rare thing that happened but was detected early though our monitoring methods in many different countries, including Canada. This is a sign that if side effects are found with any of the vaccines, the systems in place are able to respond to it, put a pause on the distribution, reopen or tweak it, and not give vaccines to the most at risk - under 40 for AstraZeneca specifically. The people who received the AstraZeneca shot who are under 40, and are now in the position to receive their 2nd shot are not encouraged to receive the AstraZeneca shot. It's possible people may be put on a new course - 2 new shots of Pizer or Moderna. People over 40 can still take their 1st and 2nd dose with AstraZeneca.
Medium refers to the name of the CSA kit. When purchasing new first aid kits, ensure you buy the CSA compliant kit with the description of Medium; not Small for a Type 2 or Type 3 kit. Reminder, you do not need to get rid of your OFA kits; but you do need to acquire any supplemental items to be compliant with the CSA kits.

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

Threats of violence fall under workplace conduct in the regulations and might not come through the bullying and harassment officer team. To-date, we are not aware of any reports of threatened violence due to COVID-19.

WorkSafeBC has been working with BCEHS in the amended first aid regulations. BCEHS is working towards more ambulance services - More ambulance services coming soon to rural and remote communities across B.C. (bcehs.ca)