Working Safely with COVID-19 and other Communicable Diseases

What to do as restrictions ease? 

As COVID-19 restrictions are easing, employers must be alert and flexible to change. The virus continues to create challenges in and out of the workplace and it is here to stay, similar to other communicable diseases like influenza. 

Having a written plan to eliminate or minimize the risk of communicable diseases in the workplace has always been a requirement under workplace health and safety legislation and will continue to be. 

  • Make your exposure control plan part of your existing health and safety program 
  • Continue to monitor your workplace and risk level of communicable disease along with the guidance, orders and recommendations from Public Health. Adjust and update your plan as necessary
  • Like all health and safety efforts, clearly communicate the changes so everyone in the workplace is aware of their responsibilities

WSCC has resources and checklists available below that can be downloaded and adapted for use in different workplaces and for different communicable diseases.

To have an OHS Inspector assist with your risk assessment, please email Covid-19@wscc.nt.ca or Covid-19@wscc.nu.ca

 

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Step 1: COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment

 

Complete a Workplace Risk Assessment for your business.

PDF: English | Français | ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ
Word: English | Français | ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ
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Step 2: COVID-19 Worker Hazard Assessment

 

Have each of your workers complete a Worker Hazard Assessment. This asks for information specific to each job or task at a work site.

PDF: English | Français | ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ
Word: English | Français | ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ
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Step 3: COVID-19 Exposure Control Planning Guide

 

Use your risk and hazard assessments to create an Exposure Control Plan. This plan outlines how employers, supervisors, and workers will eliminate or control the risk of COVID-19 exposure at p>

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Step 4: COVID-19 Workplace Safety Planning Checklist

 

Use the Workplace Safety Planning Checklist to help put necessary controls into practice.

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Watch WSCC's webinar COVID-19 Workplace Health & Safety for employers in the Northwest Territories.

Use this tool to determine if a customer or client presents a risk of exposing anyone in the workplace to COVID-19.

Use this form if you need to screen workers before they come to work. You must determine whether the worker presents a risk of exposing anyone at the site to COVID-19.

Use this form if you need to screen workers before they come to work. You must determine whether the worker presents a risk of exposing anyone at the site to COVID-19.

Use this tool to determine if a customer or client presents a risk of exposing anyone in the workplace to COVID-19.

Plan, build, and develop safety control measures for your workplace.

While it is not always hazardous to work alone, it can become hazardous when the work environment changes; the change to social distancing (physical distancing) is one example. The risk will depend on the location, type of work, interaction with the… more

WSCC Safety Bulletins

Wearing a mask can help to prevent the spread of some respiratory illnesses, but it can also become a source of infection if not worn or discarded properly. When you wear a mask, be sure to clean your hands before putting the mask on, and after… more

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets containing the virus. To work safely, find out what level of protection you need.

Respiratory viruses like influenza and the common cold circulate regularly. They spread by coughing, sneezing, shaking hands with a sick person, or touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Using safe work… more

Guides

Prepare yourself and your vehicle to minimize the risk of contracting COVID‐19. 

Prepare yourself and your vehicle to minimize the risk of contracting COVID‐19. To have an OHS Inspector assist you with your Risk Assessment in Nunavut – email: Covid‐19@wscc.nu.ca

These guidelines are to assist employers and workers as they navigate the changes and challenges associated with working remotely, in efforts to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

If you work as a taxi, shuttle, or bus driver, you may determine that you do not want to continue to drive passengers during this time due to the risk of exposure to COVID-19. For some drivers, this may not be an option. Taxi drivers may also be… more

If you work as a taxi, shuttle, or bus driver, you may determine that you do not want to continue to drive passengers during this time due to the risk of exposure to COVID-19. For some drivers, this may not be an option. Taxi drivers may also be… more

External Bulletins & Alerts

Be ready for the flu and other infectious diseases in the workplace.