We recognize that in a provincial state of emergency, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) can make orders as needed, and we have extracted and linked to applicable orders which are listed below.
For all visitors to our website, we include general COVID-19 information which is accessible open source. For all of our team, employees, associates and contracted staff, we have created password protected ‘intranet’ style staff pages under read more, so they may access pertinent plan protected information, policies, procedures, protocols and other company specific COVID data. Open Source we provide links to latest COVID-19 data and to the BC COVID-19 Dashboard. Again, currency is essential and this information being accessible through a single ‘intranet’ style page on our website is helpful for staff taking decisions cognisant of the risks, the orders, and the required company direction and actions to reduce transmission.
We provide access to mental health wellbeing guidance because that is paramount for our staff operating in challenging environments at work and dealing with restrictions and uncertainty at home.
We apply the keys principles for reducing transmission and the guidance of WorkSafeBC as the hub of our COVID-19 Safety Plan for plan content and to demonstrate compliance.
All workplaces under the regulatory authority of WorkSafe BC are required by order of the Provincial Health Officer to have COVID-19 Safety Plan for reducing COVID-19 risk during the pandemic. One of the key aspects of this plan should be clear policies for ensuring that people who are sick do not participate in operations and will not be financially or socially penalized for self-identifying. Operations may wish to consider a phased plan that implements different protective measures based on the number of COVID-19 cases and amount of community spread of COVID-19. A phased plan allows more relaxed measures when the number of cases is low, and more restrictive measures if the number of cases starts to increase.
In accordance with WorkSafeBC requirements:
Lions Gate has selected and put measures in place to minimize the risk of transmission.
We have implemented cleaning protocols for all common areas and surfaces, including washrooms, equipment, tools, common tables, desks, light switches, and door handles. We have also ensured those engaged in cleaning have adequate training and materials.
We have removed unnecessary tools or equipment that may elevate the risk of transmission, including items like coffee makers and shared utensils and plates.
Lions Gate prohibits access to:
Lions Gate has a documented plan around workers who may start to feel ill while at work, including who they should notify and how they will travel from the workplace to their home.
We have procedures for workers working alone to reduce the risk of transmission. This relates primarily to workers operating from remote locations and primarily from home, to ensure they are safe.
Lions Gate has developed, published, and communicated, work from home procedures to ensure workers are working safely.
Lions Gate prioritizes employee and staff mental health and recognizes the challenges presented during the pandemic.
Prolonged Close Contact with an Infected Person – The primary route of COVID-19 transmission is prolonged (more than 15 minutes) close contact with a symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, or asymptomatic infected person.
Self-Isolation – The first risk reduction principle is isolation of symptomatic individuals until their COVID-19 status can be evaluated. However, this approach cannot reduce risk of transmission from pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases.
Social Interactions – Travel – The second risk reduction principle is to limit close contact between all individuals by maintaining small and consistent social circles. When social circles are smaller and more consistent, there will be less transmission of the virus if someone in the circle is unknowingly infected.
Contaminated Hands – Hands can easily become contaminated with the virus that causes COVID-19 if they come directly into contact with the respiratory droplets of an infected person, or they come into contact with a contaminated surface. Infection with COVID-19 can then occur when people touch their face without washing their hands.
The third risk reduction principle is to practice frequent hand cleaning by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer. Surfaces can be contaminated by the virus that causes COVID-19 when respiratory droplets fall onto them directly, or when they are touched when with contaminated objects or hands.
Cleaning and Disinfecting – The fourth risk reduction principle is to regularly clean and disinfect potentially contaminated surfaces. Together, these two principles reduce risk of indirect COVID-19 transmission.
Crowding – Most of the respiratory droplets that cause COVID-19 infection travel less than 2 meters before settling out of the air. When many people are crowded together, they are highly exposed to the respiratory droplets of all the people nearby, which can lead to high risk of COVID-19 transmission if any of those people are infected.
The fifth risk reduction principle is to minimize crowding by creating physical space between individuals whenever possible. This is particularly important for individuals who are not within the same social circle. However, there are some situations in which it is difficult to maintain physical space, such as when taking public transit or receiving personal services.
Masks – The sixth risk reduction principle is to interrupt the spread of respiratory droplets in situations where adequate physical distance cannot be maintained. The best methods for interrupting the spread of droplets are physical barriers and facial coverings.
Very High-Risk Situations – Even when the principles outlined above are considered, there are situations that can lead to high risk of COVID-19 transmission. First, some people are very susceptible to infection with COVID-19 due to their age or health status, and they need special consideration.
The seventh risk reduction principle is to ensure rigorous protections for highly susceptible persons or populations. Second, there is evidence that COVID-19 spreads easily in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
Although COVID-19 is not an airborne disease such as measles or tuberculosis, inadequate ventilation may cause buildup of exhaled breath that can lead to transmission throughout the enclosed space.
The eighth risk reduction principle is to prioritize fresh air. This advice is easy to follow during the warm summer months, but is even more important in colder weather.
Part of a robust COVID-19 Safety Plan involves ensuring people with symptoms of COVID-19 or who have had a potential exposure are prohibited from entering the workplace.
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To support this goal, the provincial health officer issued an order on December 16, 2021 that includes a requirement for employers in all regions to ensure that every worker conducts a daily health check before entering the workplace.
What employers need to do
What workers need to do
What are the key symptoms of COVID-19?
The current list of symptoms as identified by the BCCDC are included on the two entry check posters:
What are the other entry requirements?
In addition to displaying any of the above new or worsening symptoms, other restrictions from entering a workplace include:
Who is responsible for doing health checks?
Lions Gate is responsible for ensuring that health checks are completed by implementing appropriate protocols and training designated individuals to confirm they are done. Supervisors, health and safety personnel, or others may be tasked with confirming that workers have conducted the health check. Workers are responsible for conducting the health check before entering the workplace and confirming this through the method required by the employer.
What if a worker does not pass the health check?
The worker must not enter the workplace. They must return home and use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool or follow any public health advice they have been given.
Are employers required to inform public health of those exhibiting symptoms?
No.
What if a worker refuses to confirm that a health check was completed?
The order issued by the PHO requires that workers do the health check. If a worker refuses to take part in the health check, they must not enter the workplace.
Do daily health checks have to be completed for trades people, contractors, or visiting staff?
Yes.
What information is the employer required to collect?
Lions Gate just needs to confirm that a health check was done.
Do daily health checks have to be completed for clients or the general public entering the workplace?
No, the provincial health officer has only ordered daily health checks for all workers entering the workplace. However, a COVID-19 Safety Plan already requires that employers have policies prohibiting members of the public from entering the workplace if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or meet any of the other restricted criteria. For members of the public, posting signage at the entrance to the workplace is enough.
If we implement an effective health check program, doesn’t that mean no one with COVID-19 is at the workplace? Can we relax on our other protocols?
No. Remember, not all COVID-19-positive people show symptoms, and asymptomatic people can still transmit the virus. All of your workplace protocols including physical distancing, barriers, masks, and cleaning protocols need to remain in place, and you must ensure that they are being followed appropriately.