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(Covid-19) in the Workplace

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(Covid-19) in the Workplace 2020-01-31 – CORONAVIRUS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RESPONDING TO THE AND SAFETY There may be concerns from employers and employees in Canadian federally regulated RISK OF CORONAVIRUS workplaces about coronavirus and wonder (COVID-19) IN how to prevent exposure in their workplaces. THE WORKPLACE Workplace parties should consider whether doing certain tasks puts employees at greater risk of exposure ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES to coronavirus. Also consider whether the Hazard Prevention Program needs The Labour Program is responsible for administering the extra controls or protections. Canada Labour Code, Part II (the Code). To change the Hazard Prevention The Public Health Agency of Canada is responsible for preparing Program, the employer must consult for and responding to any infectious disease emergencies that the policy or workplace health and may happen in Canada. safety committee or representative. Employers are responsible for protecting the health and safety The employer must inform and train of their employees while at work. employees on any changes to the Program, including any new personal protective equipment they provide. EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER PART II OF THE CANADA LABOUR CODE Are you an employer or employee in a federally regulated workplace? Under the Canada Labour Code, employees have three Do you have concerns or questions basic rights: about coronavirus? Contact the Labour • the right to know Program at 1-800-641-4049 (toll-free). • the right to participate, and • the right to refuse dangerous work WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS? Coronaviruses are a large family of ! Definition of danger: “any hazard, condition or activity that viruses that cause illness ranging from could reasonably be expected to be an imminent or serious the common cold to more severe threat to the life or health of a person exposed to it before the diseases. Some coronaviruses transmit hazard or condition can be corrected or the activity altered.” between animals, some between animals and people, and others from people to people. Information and updates about coronavirus: Canada.ca. EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER PART II REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANADA LABOUR CODE Do your employees refuse to work because of Employers are responsible for protecting the health the coronavirus (even if it is resolved internally)? and safety of employees at work. If there is a risk Or is there a confirmed case of coronavirus? of exposure to coronavirus for employees while As an employer, you should immediately advise working, employers must: the Labour Program at: 1-800-641-4049 • identify An Official Delegated by the Minister of Labour • assess the risk, and will follow up with the employer to review Code • implement proper controls through their requirements related to this type of event. Hazard Prevention Program If the employer requires personal protective INFORMATION AND RESOURCES equipment, they must provide training and Information about coronavirus and prevention: procedures to employees. Employees must comply with the employer’s procedures. • Public Health Coronavirus (COVID-19): Outbreak update HAZARD PREVENTION PROGRAM • Public Health Coronavirus infection: Prevention and risks Supporting the Internal Responsibility System, the employer must make all revisions to the workplace • The World Health Organization (WHO) Hazard Prevention Program by consulting with: information and preventative measures • the policy health and safety committee • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • the workplace health and safety committee, or • the workplace health and safety representative Employees must provide trainings on the hazard and the safe work procedures that will protect them. The employers must keep training records. For more information on workplace health and safety, visit: Canada.ca/workplace-health-safety or contact the Labour Program 1-800-641-4049 Teletypewriter (TTY) 1-800-926-9105 #HealthAndSafety @Labour_ESDC.
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