Preventing communicable disease in B.C. workplaces

While it’s no longer mandatory to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan available for review, employers still need to assess for the risk of all communicable diseases in their workplaces.

As part of the provincial government’s four-step Restart plan, employers no longer need a COVID-19 Safety Plan and can transition to communicable disease prevention. Communicable diseases like COVID-19, seasonal influenza, norovirus, and many other viruses will continue to pose a risk of illness in the workplace.

The resource “Communicable disease prevention: A guide for employers” can be found on worksafebc.com. It outlines permanent prevention measures employers must always have in place, along with any additional measures that must be taken at times of elevated risk. As an employer, you’ll need to monitor for announcements from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) to know what additional measures may be needed.

Some permanent measures to take are the same as those put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. They include policies to support workers staying home when sick, maintaining a clean work environment, regular hand washing, and adequate ventilation in the workplace. Note that as of August 25, the PHO has re-instated a mask mandate as an additional measure. Masks are now required in all public indoor settings for all people 12 years of age and older. When selecting safety protocols for the workplace, masks can be used in combination with those noted above, as well as other measures found on our Step 3 of B.C.’s Restart: Communicable Disease web page.

For more updates and information about communicable disease prevention and what it means for your workplace, visit worksafebc.com