Employers continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its related challenges. On February 16, 2022, in response to the surge of infections caused by the Omicron variant and elevated risk of communicable disease transmission, a new Order of the Public Health Officer of B.C. (“PHO”) was used that change workplace health and safety requirements.
FEBRUARY 16, 2022 ORDER OF THE PHO – WORKPLACE SAFETY
This most recent Order of the PHO regarding workplace health and safety can be found here.
Some of the key takeaways of this Order include the following:
• Businesses must re-instate a COVID-19 Safety Plan;
• The COVID-19 Safety Plan must include usual measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission at the workplace including:
○ hand hygiene;
○ cleaning;
○ no crowding;
○ face coverings; and proper ventilation;
• Businesses must post a copy of their COVID-19 Safety Plan on their website and in workplace;
• Employees must self-monitor for COVID-19 and not come to the workplace with new or worsening Covid-19 symptoms;
• There are face covering requirements in common areas;
• Businesses must continue to support and encourage employees receiving vaccination; and
• Businesses are no longer required to allow employees to work from home.
WORKSAFE B.C. RESOURCES
For industry specific information, please visit here.
For guidance on updating your Covid-19 Safety Plan, please visit here.
We strongly recommend that employers continue to closely monitor all public health order and guidance. If you have any questions, please contact us at (604) 736 9791 or email Alex Robertson ar@dwslaw.ca.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to serve as, or should be construed as legal advice, and is only to provide general information. Should you require legal advice for your particular situation, please get in touch with us. The information for this article was compiled on March 2, 2022. Any updates made to the article can be found at dwslaw.ca/articles.
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