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HTEC COVID 19 POLICY

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Purpose

The purpose of this Covid-19 Policy is to develop and communicate a plan to ensure that the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at HTEC workplaces is minimized (hereinafter referred to as the “COVID-19 Safety Plan”) and ensure healthy work precautions at HTEC are in place and comply with the Provincial and Federal Health Act to prevent harm to those at risk. Namely, as required by section 21 (2) (c) of the Workers Compensation Act to establish occupational health and safety policies and programs in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation as directed by WorkSafe BC. Requirements from the British Columbia Government guidelines, if more restrictive than this document is to be followed.

 

BC Requirements

  • Gatherings are currently prohibited by the Provincial Health Orders

  • Employees must be able to maintain a distance of two meters apart from each other.

  • Reduce in-person meetings and any gatherings and hold meetings online, in open spaces or outside when possible.

  • Increase the number of handwashing stations and signage.

  • Maintain a list of employees who are currently working and update daily.

  • Clean all common areas and surfaces at least two times a week.

  • Anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, sneezing or coughing must self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days from the onset of symptoms, until their symptoms have completely resolved.

  • Workers must perform a daily health check for the above mentioned symptoms of COVID-19 before coming to the office or jobsite.

  • Employees are encouraged to work from home if feasible.

  • Prevent crowding together or congregating in high risk spaces including the stairwells, corridors, entrances to bathrooms, conference room, kitchen, lunchroom or warehouse.

  • For further information on BC Covid-19 requirements: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

 

Employee conduct at the office

  • HTEC expects everyone to wear a mask when not at their desk.

  • The Provincial Health Officer expects everyone who can to use masks as an additional control to supplement other measures and to ensure the risk is reduced.

  • Everyone is to maintain a safe distance from others.

  • Everyone is to clean their hands upon entering the building, after using the washroom, before eating, after accepting packages being delivered. Wash hands often and at any occurrence of possible exposure.

  • Cough or sneeze into your own sleeve.

 

Travel Policy

  • Staying within the region is a recommendation. Travel only if essential and travel alone or with your own pandemic bubble.

  • Traveling back to Canada Internationally must follow federal guidelines:
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/self-isolation-on-return
    which include:

    • Comply with the federal Quarantine Act

    • Complete the federal ArriveCAN application

    • Proof of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hrs. prior to departure

    • Covid19 Test on arrival and a test at the end of 14 day quarantine

    • If arriving by air, planning to spend 3 nights at a Government of Canada approved hotel and a further 11 days in self isolation

    • If arriving by land, spend 14 days in self isolation

    • Optional: Complete a BC self-quarantine plan

  • British Columbians should postpone recreational and social travel in and out of the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Coastal Health regions until the BC Public Health Order has been lifted. Those who must travel into or out of the regions or between regions for work or other essential purposes can continue to do so.

  • International and interprovincial travel for HTEC business is prohibited unless given written approval by Colin Armstrong and confirmed as essential travel.    

  • International and interprovincial personal travel highly discouraged and HTEC must be informed of travel and prior to coming into the office.

 

Outbreak response/action

  • In the event an employee contracts COVID-19 the affected person must immediately self-isolate and provide a report to their manager within 60 mins of confirmation.

  • The Manager must send a companywide MS Teams Message and e-mail within the hour alerting where and when outbreak occurred.

  • Manager to review with the affected person all stakeholders possibly involved and notify accordingly to invoke contact tracing procedures.

  • All people in contact need to self-isolate for 14 days since contacted

  • HTEC Management to order immediate closure of areas affected.

  • Manager and affected person to fill out an incident report.

  • Enroll a cleaning team to thoroughly sanitize the areas affected.

 

Deliveries

  • Encourage deliveries to occur by the delivery company ringing the doorbell upon arrival and receiving to happen outside.

  • After package is opened/packaging discarded and item is distributed, wash hands.

  • Delivery personnel may not use HTEC facilities.

 

Contractors and guests

  • Whereas contractors (recycling/ compost, cleaners, HVAC) are required to be onsite, encourage nonpeak times or afterhours.

  • All people entering the building must wear a mask and wash their hands.

  • Communicate in advance to the team when guests are to be expected.

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HTEC Ventilation system

  • The HVAC system was last serviced, and filters replaced on June 23, 2020.

  • MERV8 filters are most likely installed.

  • HTEC is waiting order of MERV13 filters.

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Essential Workers
As per https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/essential-services-covid-19#infrastructure

  • HTEC falls under “Critical Infrastructure” on the above BC Government list of service providers include transportation.

    • All of the required support, operations and staff critical in supporting Alternative energy production.

    • Fuel, petroleum, crude oil and other fuel sources.
       

Onsite guidelines for Ops

  • Masks are considered part of PPE and need to be accessible at all times.

  • Travel to and from site separately when possible.

  • When traveling to sites together keep as distant as possible and consider having windows open and fresh air circulating as much as possible.

  • Masks are to be worn if more than one person are working onsite.

  • Masks are to be worn anywhere in public areas, especially near a dispenser.

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Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement of this template shall include, but is not limited to:

  1. Monthly review of this document by owner prior to the upcoming Safety Committee meeting (Safety Committee)

  2. Annual review to confirm this document is in the proper directory, and employees are aware of its location

The owner of the template shall review the proposed recommendations, and if necessary, seek the advice of peers on the recommended change.  If the owner agrees with the proposed revision, they shall implement the revised procedure as described in HQA-P-003 Control of Documents.
 

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