Frequently Asked Questions
For those working from home, does the employer have to re-orient them upon their return to their workplace – especially in terms of new PPE or practices they are required to use now?
Use your joint health and safety committee or worker representative to identify risks and effective controls for your workplace.
Has WorkSafeBC had any reports of bullying such as people saying they are going to hurt somebody if they brough COVID-19 into the 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.
Has WSBC confirmed with BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) that ambulance stations will always be staffed during work hours?
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)Hi, on the BCCDC schedule for Covid vaccinations, manufacturing was to be given priority. We are a packaging manufacturer for food grade products. My competition company has been vaccinated as a priority business. How do we get on the same program?
The Alliance is collecting information from employers actively seeking immunization for their workers and will share this information with the health regions as they request it to support their programs. To register your interest in a future phase of workplace immunizations, please send an email to [email protected] with your company name, production facility address(es), number of employees at each facility, and key contact name, and email, and phone for each facility.Do “high traffic” workers such as managers, first aid, safety, supervisors – need to consider n95/face shields and glasses?
Carry out a risk assessment to see whether or not a higher level of protection is required for these individuals. Factor in the frequency of contact between individuals, surfaces, etc., as well as the type of work. You may also factor in other controls in place (hygiene procedures, physical distancing, etc.), to justify whether or not a higher level of protection is needed.
Face shields can be used in the workplace in combination with face masks to provide added protection. They cannot be used to replace face masks or other protective measures.
How are the vaccines given?
The vaccines are given by injection as a series of two doses. It is important to get both doses of the vaccine for full protection. Second doses will be offered 16 weeks from the first dose based on provincial and national recommendations, including for those who have already received their first dose. Data from jurisdictions around the world shows one dose of vaccine provides a high level of protection. When it’s time to receive your second dose, you will be invited to receive it just as you were for your first. Please retain your paper record of immunization to bring back to the clinic with you at that time.How can someone become part a Certified OSSE External Auditor?
Anyone interested in becoming a Certified OSSE External Auditor can visit this page to learn more about the qualifications and requirements.How did the Scandinavian countries reduce their accident rates?
It was an all out effort and was identified as a priority for the country; political buy in, bureaucrats with public safety campaigns, educational campaigns for drivers, employers, pedestrians and the general public were all involved. Rules of the road changed and that required leadership and buy in a large scale. They have seen positive and steady results, but that again is due to the all in mentality from the top down. Change can happen.How do employers who are too small to have a Safety Rep to be meet requirement for worker participation?
Small workplaces that do not have a designated joint health and safety committee or designated safety representative can involve workers at safety meetings or during a toolbox talk. In the first aid assessment template there is a field to provide the name(s) of the worker(s) consulted.How do the AstraZeneca/SII vaccines work?
Both of these vaccines are viral vector-based vaccines. They use a harmless virus, such as an adenovirus, as a delivery system. When a person is given the vaccine, the vector virus contained within the vaccine produces the SARS-COV-2 spike protein. This protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19 infection. This protein will not cause COVID-19 infection or make the individual sick. Through this process, the body is able to build a strong immune response against the spike protein without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19 infection.How do the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work?
The vaccine enables our body to produce protection (such as antibodies) against the COVID-19 virus. This immune response protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use a new method (messenger RNA – mRNA, the genetic code for a capsule protein of the virus) to help our bodies make this protection.How do we clean and sanitize our office and production facility?
Ensure a proper infection control cleaning protocol is implemented to clean and sterilize the potentially contaminated work area(s). Follow these directions from the Centre for Disease Control.
Take care to sanitize frequently used areas and objects such as doorknobs, handles, telephones, cellphones, computer keyboards and mice, refrigerator doors, countertops and desks, coffee machines, and water dispensers.
Disinfect your PPE regularly.
If using gloves to protect yourself, be sure to remove them carefully, taking care not to contaminate your hands when removing them.
After cleaning, wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, and do not forget to wash and scrub under your nails. If using a hand sanitizer, ensure that it contains more than 60% alcohol.
And always avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.