Kirsi Henry and Jack Minacs discuss Ontario’s new COVID-19 Response Framework and share steps you can take to create a safety plan. They also discuss the province’s screening requirement - how can you make it work at your business? Finally, what can you do if one of your employees or customers breaks your COVID-19 safety rules?

RESOURCES FOR THIS WEEK’S TOPICS

COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open
https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open

SAFETY PLANS
Develop your COVID-19 Safety Plan
https://www.ontario.ca/page/develop-your-covid-19-workplace-safety-plan

Recorded Webinar: Ontario Safe and Open – Building your Safety Plan
http://lp.wsps.ca/ON_Safe_Open_Webinar.html

Video: Safety Plan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTIUKsMdTME

Article: New COVID-19 Response Framework: How to create your safety plan
https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Articles/New-COVID-19-Response-Framework-How-to-create-you.aspx

Sample safety plans available on the WSPS COVID-19 Resource Hub – just type “sample safety plan” into the search

SCREENING
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces 
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/workplace_screening_tool_guidance.pdf

5 best practices for bringing visitors safely into your workplace (article)
https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Articles/5-best-practices-for-workplace-visitors-safety.aspx

What should you do when people (staff, customers) break your safety rules? 

Video: Small Business, Big Impact: Violence/Harassment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41M136IxDXU&list=PL5FjdkloWJyfH3VhNOuE_hZGHNLmbMcim

Article: Are your employees prepared to handle COVID-linked violence?
https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Articles/Are-your-employees-prepared-to-handle-COVID-linked.aspx

For free health and safety resources for small businesses, drop by the WSPS Small Business Centre. https://www.wsps.ca/Small-Business-Centre/Home.aspx

Visit the WSPS COVID-19 RESOURCE HUB for health and safety resources related to COVID-19.  https://covid19.wsps.ca/

Email us at smallbizsafety@wsps.ca.

Follow WSPS on social media:
Twitter:  @WSPS_News
Facebook: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
LinkedIn: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
YouTube: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

#1 - Creating a COVID-19 Safety Plan

There are COVID-19 variants lurking – what do they mean for you, your business and the masks you use? Safety experts Kirsi Henry and Jack Minacs get the scoop from WSPS’ “mask guru” Wagish Yajaman.

Note: This episode was recorded on February 9, 2021. All information presented was in effect at that time. Please check with your local Public Health unit to confirm up-to-date prevention measures that are in place in your area. 

RESOURCES 

Intro
WSPS Article: 5 steps to keep up with evolving COVID-19 requirements
https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Articles/5-steps-to-keep-up-with-evolving-COVID-19-requirem.aspx  

Ontario Small Business Support Grant
https://www.app.grants.gov.on.ca/msrf/#/

Ontario support grant to small businesses to assist with the costs of PPE.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/businesses-get-help-covid-19-costs#section-1 

IN THE NEWS: Masks: the Next Frontier

WSPS article on current mask recommendations
https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Articles/6-ways-to-meet-COVID-variants-head-on.aspx

WSPS article on how to safely use, handle and dispose of face coverings
https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Articles/how-to-safely-use-face-coverings.aspx 

WSPS Fact Sheet: Filtering Face Pieces, Masks and Fabric Face coverings
https://d1ow5xpphy0w2p.cloudfront.net/common/Masks-Face-Coverings-Featr-Sht-LR-Final.pdf 

WSPS Poster: Using the Hierarchy of Controls to fight COVID-19
https://d1ow5xpphy0w2p.cloudfront.net/common/covid19-hierarchy-of-controls-poster.pdf 

Ontario.ca: Using Masks in the Workplace
https://www.ontario.ca/page/using-masks-workplace 

New York Times animation on how masks work
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/30/science/wear-mask-covid-particles-ul.html

Toronto Star article: One mask or two? As other countries explore new options, Canada sticks to its COVID-19 advice
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2021/01/28/one-mask-or-two-as-other-countries-explore-new-options-canada-sticks-to-its-covid-19-advice.html 

Washington Post opinion article on premium masks
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/26/n95-masks-safest-next-best-options/

Contact Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

Looking for Small Biz resources and more information? Visit the WSPS Small Business Centre
https://www.wsps.ca/Small-Business-Centre/Home.aspx

Have health and safety questions? Contact the WSPS Duty Consultant by email dutyconsultant@wsps.ca or call 1-877-494-WSPS (9777).

Have questions about this podcast or show ideas? We’d love to hear from you! Contact:  smallbizsafety@wsps.ca
 

Follow WSPS on social media

Twitter
https://twitter.com/WSPS_NEWS

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/wsps.news 

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/workplace-safety-&-prevention-services

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/WSPSpromo


Download the free WSPS COVID at Work App 
This new app gives workers access to helpful health and safety information and resources on the go. Download from:

The App Store 
https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/prevent-covid-at-work/id1531461767 

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apps.wsps

#4 - Masks: the Next Frontier

Run a small business? Let our safety experts walk you through simple steps to make your workplace safer and your business better.

Brought to you by Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) in Ontario, Canada.

#1 - Creating a COVID-19 Safety Plan

Small Biz Safety Podcast

Related tracks