As the number of reported cases of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) rises worldwide, YEU/PSAC members are increasingly concerned for their health and safety at work. With the recent cancellation of the Arctic Winter Games, many Yukoners are wondering what's next, and how to protect themselves should the virus make its way north.
All workers have the right to work in a safe and healthy workplace. The purpose of this health and safety bulletin is to ensure that our members know what their health and safety rights are when dealing with their employer.
Six things workers need to know:
- Know what steps your workplace has in place for a pandemic. Ask if there is a business continuity plan. Find out what role you have in this plan.
- Participate in any training and education your workplace offers. During a pandemic, it will be essential for various workers to be able to cover some of the duties normally done by co-workers. Help train others to do aspects of your job as well.
- Know what “leave” policies your workplace has in place for sick leave, or for caring for your family. Knowing what options are available ahead of time will help you know what arrangements you need to make.
- Wash your hands after using the washroom, before eating, and after touching common surfaces such as doorknobs, railings and telephones. Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose, as this helps the virus enter your body more easily. Follow personal hygiene steps such as coughing into your arm, to help slow the spread of the virus. Use protective equipment provided by your employer such as N95 masks and/or safety gloves.
- Have a home emergency kit and a personal or family plan for a pandemic. Write down and post your family and work contact information. If you are at home with the flu, or to take care of a family member, be sure to keep in touch with your workplace so they know what your situation is. Also, let your workplace know if you have any medical conditions that may be an issue should you get sick at work.
- Stay home if you have the flu – or think you have the flu. Staying home when sick and washing your hands are the most effective ways to help slow the spread of a virus.
Pandemics and workplace laws
Due diligence is commonly addressed in health and safety legislation under the "general duty clause," which places a duty on employers to take all reasonable precautions to prevent injuries or accidents in the workplace. The general duty clause also applies to all situations that are not addressed elsewhere in the occupational health and safety legislation.
For example, to reduce the effects of a pandemic, an employer should practice due diligence by:
- Encouraging good hygiene, including hand-washing. This includes providing hand sanitation stations.
- Ensuring cleanliness of surfaces where the virus may reside (door handles, elevator buttons, shared telephones, etc.).
- Maintaining good ventilation.
- Having up-to-date sick or leave policies that are clearly communicated to staff.
- Encouraging employees to stay home when they are sick.
- Allowing employees to work at home or in staggered shifts.
- Having and enforcing a policy where people with flu symptoms are not allowed access to the workplace – this includes workers, contractors, and visitors.
Employers have a responsibility to provide appropriate training and education to all their employees. Workplace health and safety committees have a legal right to participate in the development of any workplace prevention and preparation strategies dealing with the virus.
PSAC members who sit on joint health and safety committees should request that a special meeting be called in order to review the workplace pandemic influenza plans that should be already in place.
Likewise, in smaller workplaces, where there is no committee, the PSAC member who is the health and safety representative for the workplace should request a meeting with the employer in order to review these plans.
Trusted Sources of Information:
Government of Yukon
COVID-19: Information for Yukoners
Seasonal Influenza Information
Yukon HealthLine (dial 811)
BC Centre for Disease Control
Information on coronavirus
Government of Canada
COVID-19: Outbreak update
COVID-19: Travel Advice
Toll-free line: 1-833-784-4397
Email: [email protected]
World Health Organization (WHO)
COVID-19 Outbreak Update