COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources Last Updated: 09-22-2020

COVID-19

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COVID-19 Safety Plan

All employers in British Columbia are required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace and implements measures to keep workers safe. This requirement comes from WorkSafeBC regulations and an Order from the Provincial Health Officer of BC.

WorkSafeBC has created a template to assist employers, it can be found here.

AgSafeBC has created many resources, documents, posters etc. to support employers with keeping agricultural workers safe from exposure to COVID-19. Many of our documents were created prior to the WorkSafeBC safety plan template, and can be found in multiple places on this page.

This section has been created to provide clarity for employers using the 6-Step, WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan Template. Below are the six steps of the plan, and resources from AgSafe to support employers for each step of the plan:

WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan Resources

Several documents support multiple steps of the WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan. Each of these documents are located in all of the sections they assist with to provide as much information as possible.

Section/Document Title	Link(s)
Step 1: Assess the risks at your workplace
Risk assessment and infection prevention & control protocol *AgSafe worked with industries to provide customizable Risk Assessments, that include many standard tasks. Please click the Industry Link to get started.	Blank WORD PDF By Industry INDUSTRY
Enhanced Surface Cleaning and Disinfection	English
Step 2: Implement protocols to reduce the risks
Risk assessment and infection prevention & control protocol *AgSafe worked with industries to provide customizable Risk Assessments, that include many standard tasks. Please click the Industry Link to get started.	Blank WORD PDF By Industry INDUSTRY
Exposure Control Plan	English
First level: Elimination
Occupancy Limit Poster (WSBC)	English
Safety Notice for Workers	PDF WORD
Second level: Engineering
Designing Effective Barriers (WSBC)	English
Enhanced Surface Cleaning and Disinfection	English
Third level: Administrative
Safety Notice for Workers	PDF WORD
Employee Awareness of Protocols Sign Off Form	PDF
COVID-19 First Aid Procedures	PDF
Fourth level:Using Masks
COVID-19 Mask Sign	English
Selecting and Using Masks	English
Effective Cleaning & Hygiene Practices
Enhanced Surface Cleaning and Disinfection	English
COVID-19 Enhanced surface cleaning and disinfection TFW living area schedule	English
Hand Washing Poster	English Spanish Punjabi-English
Location of Hand Wash Facilities	English Spanish
Waste Removal Schedule	English Spanish
Kitchen Rules Sign	English Spanish
Step 3: Develop Policies
Self-Assessment Flow Chart	English Spanish
COVID-19 First Aid Procedures	PDF
Occupational First Aid Attendant protocols during COVID-19 (WSBC)	English
Site Access Health Questionnaire	English French Punjabi Spanish
Violence in the Workplace Prevention Program (WSBC)	English
Self-isolation Protocol	English
COVID-19 Cleaning Symptomatic Workers	English Spanish
Step 4:Develop communication plans and training
Exposure Control Plan	English
Occupancy Limit Poster (WSBC)	English
Site Access Health Questionnaire	English French Punjabi Spanish
Gov of Canada: How to Isolate at Home – COVID-19	English Spanish Other Languages
New Worker Orientation Checklist	English Punjabi/English Spanish
Step 5: Monitor your workplace and update your plans as necessary
COVID-19 Coordinator Sign<	English Spanish
First Aid attendant Contact Sign	English
Step 6: Assess and address risks from resuming operations
This will be specific to organizations, locations, equipment, machinery that has been out of use for a period of time either during the COVID-19 pandemic or from before the pandemic began. Employers will have to review as needed and have a restart plan specific to the operation.
New Worker Orientation Checklist	English Punjabi/English Spanish

AgSafe BC Links and Resources
- Agricultural Site COVID-19 Prevention Procedures
- COVID Coordinator Contact Sign
- Employee Awareness of Protocols Sign Off Form
- Enhanced Cleaning (06-22-2020)
- Enhanced Cleaning: Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Living Area Schedule
- Exposure Control Plan
- Employer Protocol for Pandemic
- First Aid Procedure (PDF)
- Risk Assessment & Infection Prevention & Control Protocol (PDF)
- Risk Assessment & Infection Prevention & Control Protocol (WORD)
- Risk Assessment & Infection Prevention & Control Protocol (SAMPLE)
- Safety Notice for Workers (PDF)
- Safety Notice for Workers (WORD)
- Self-Assessment Flow Chart (05-29-2020)
  - This document will be updated as new information becomes available.
- Self-isolation Protocol (07-02-2020)
- Site Access Health Questionnaire (06-04-2020)
WorkSafeBC Links and Resources

General COVID-19 Information

BC Centre for Disease Control
- COVID-19 Information
BC COVID-19 App
- iPhone
- Android
BC Provincial Health Officer
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
- Information and Tips on COVID-19
Canadian Agriculture Safety Association
- COVID-19 Resources
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
- Pandemic (COVID-19) Tip Sheets
Canadian Federation of Agriculture
- COVID-19 Resources
Equine Guelph
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
Farm Safety Nova Scotia
- 10 Ways to Manage Respiratory Symptoms at Home
Government of Canada
- How to Isolate at Home When You Have COVID-19
HealthLink BC
- Common Questions about COVID-19
Public Health Agency of Canada
- COVID-19 Overview
Wali Canada
- General Information
WorkSafeBC
World Health Organization
- General Information
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak

Bell Let's Talk
- COVID-19 Tips and Resources
BounceBack
- Online Support for Mental Wellness
Canadian Red Cross
- Psychological First Aid Pocket Guide (PDF)
Crisis Services Canada
- COVID-19-Resources
Do More Ag
- General Information
Government of British Columbia
- Virtual Mental Health Supports During COVID-19
Government of Canada
- Tip For Working From Home
Mental Health Commission of Canada
- COVID-19 Resources
MindSkills Canada
- Coping With a Pandemic
National Farmers Union
- General Resources
University of Guelph
- 8 Domains of Well-Being - COVID-19 Style
Wellness Together Canada
- Mental Health and Substance Use Support

Employers are required to provide workers with appropriate respirators wherever workers are exposed to hazardous substances in the air. This includes gases and vapours, dusts, fibres, mists, fumes and bioaerosols.

Different hazards require different types of respirators, so it is important to choose the right respirator for the breathing hazards in your workplace. Some respirators must also be fitted with the correct filter or cartridge in order to be effective.

Before a worker may use a respirator, they must be fit tested to ensure contaminated air cannot leak into the respirator and be inhaled. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AgSafe is not conducting fit testing services. However, some companies in British Columbia are still offering fit testing service for a fee.

If an employer wishes to conduct fit tests for their own employees, they must have an approved fit testing kit available from safety equipment suppliers and be trained on how to use the kit and conduct the test.

Basic instructions on fit testing is available by watching the 3M YouTube videos below. For more information contact your AgSafe advisor or consultant.

Respirator Fit Testing Providers

Respirator Train the Fit Tester (TFT) training providers:
Respirator Fit Test providers: QUALITATIVE
- Hazmasters
- Freebird Safety Services
- Irwin Safety (Throughout BC)
- OK Audio Lab (Okanagan)
- OHandS Canada (Langley and Kamloops)
- Levitt Safety
- Nutech Safety (Kamloops and Kelowna)
- First aid Kelowna
- Vancouver First Aid
- Link to Life First-Aid (Vancouver)
- ABC First-Aid (Nanaimo)
- Jade First Aid (Smithers)
- Interior Workplace Compliance Testing
- BC Fit Testing
- Lotus Environmental BC
- Keltech Safety
Respirator Fit Test providers: QUANTITATIVE
- Pacific Rim Safety
- Levitt Safety

Download Checklist

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Application Checklist - Updated (08-21-2020)

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Application Checklist Documents

This table contains all of the documents available in the checklist above as well as resources in additional languages.

#	Question	Link
Q1.	I have downloaded and read the Province of BC's COVID-19 requirements, Protecting BC Farmers and Farm Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.	GovBC: PHO - Guidance Farms & Farm Workers English
Q2.	I have completed a COVID-19 workplace Risk Assessment (RA) of my farm operation	Risk Assessment Tool English (WORD) English (PDF) English (SAMPLE)
Q3.	I have created a COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Protocol (IPC)	Risk Assessment Tool English (WORD) English (PDF) English (SAMPLE)
Q4.	I have signage in place in the appropriate language on how workers can protect themselves from COVID-19.	Safety Notice for Workers English Spanish
Q5.	I have someone identified (COVID-19 Coordinator) that workers can go to if they have questions on COVID-19.	COVID-19 Coordinator Sign English Spanish
Q6.	Common areas allow physical distancing of 2m / 6ft at all times.	No Document
Q7.	Beds in the right configuration with the right distance apart.	No Document
Q8.	I understand what is needed for a person to self-isolate.	GovCDN: How to Isolate at Home English Spanish Other Languages
Q9.	I have separate accommodation to let a worker self-isolate away from other workers or have arranged for separate accommodation.	Self Isolation Protocol English
Q10.	I have laundry services available for regular use.	No Document
Q11.	I have disposable gloves for the handling of garbage or there is access to hand hygiene facilities either through hand hygiene stations or the provisions of hand sanitizer.	No Document
Q12.	I have a waste removal schedule.	Waste Removal Schedule English Spanish
Q13.	I have sturdy, leak resistant garbage bags.	No Document
Q14.	I have an adequate number of hand washing sinks available to workers	No Document
Q15.	There is an appropriate supply of warm water for all sinks.	No Document
Q16.	I have provided plain soap.	No Document
Q17.	I have provided disposable paper towels.	No Document
Q18.	I have put up signs to promote regular hand washing.	Hand Washing Poster English Punjabi/English Spanish
Q19.	I have sleeping arrangements that maintain physical distancing or use physical barriers.	No Document
Q20.	I have physical barriers like face shields or masks for situations where physical distancing is not possible.	Face Masks Sign English
Q21.	I have a schedule to ensure common and high touch areas are cleaned or disinfected at the start and end of each day.	Enhanced Cleaning: TFW Living Area Schedule English Spanish
Q22.	I have materials ready on the risk of exposure of COVID-19 and the signs and symptoms of the disease.	Safety Notice for Workers English Spanish
Q23.	I have materials ready on hand washing, physical distancing, and cough/sneeze etiquette.	Safety Notice for Workers English Spanish
Q24.	I can provide locations of hand washing facilities, including dispensing stations for alcohol-based hand rubs.	Location of Hand Wash Facilities English Spanish
Q25.	I have materials ready on how to seek first aid.	First Aid Contact Sign English
Q26.	I have materials ready on how to report an exposure to or symptoms of COVID-19 (to COVID-19 Coordinator)	COVID-19 Coordinator Sign English Spanish
Q27.	I have schedules in place for kitchen/eating areas to limit contact and maintain 2 metre physical distancing.	Kitchen Rules Sign English Spanish
Q28.	Each worker has their own dishware, utensils and drinking cup or provided disposable alternatives (no sharing)	Kitchen Rules Sign English Spanish
Q29.	Used dishware will be washed immediately.	Kitchen Rules Sign English Spanish
Q30.	I have the facilities to promptly separate and self-isolate the individual from others in their own accommodation	No Document
Q31.	I am prepared to provide individuals exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 with a surgical/procedural mask or tissues to cover their mouth and nose.	No Document
Q32.	I am prepared to direct the person to call HealthLinkBC (8-1-1).	COVID-19 Coordinator Sign English Spanish
Q33.	I am prepared to clean and disinfect any rooms that the person has been in while symptomatic.	Cleaning: Symptomatic Workers English Spanish
Q34.	If commercial accommodation is being used to self-isolate, then I will inform management of the situation and necessary requirements.	No Document

Exit Interview (09-16-2020)

COVID-19 Awareness Course for Fruit Pickers in BC

To work as a fruit picker, or to stay in a designated campsite in BC, workers must complete either the in-person or online version of this presentation and keep proof to show your employers.

This course is available in English and French.

The online COVID-19 Awareness for Fruit Pickers in BC course is available 24/7, and allows users to self-enroll in either English or French.

Create Your Account:

Go to the AgSafeBC E-Learning site
- Here
Click "Register" on the login screen
- Helpful hints for creating your account:
  - Each person will need their own account
  - Account registration requires:
    1. Full First and Last name
      - Will be reflected on any potential certificate
    2. Email Address
    3. Phone Number
      - Field is located at the bottom of screen, please scroll down if needed.

Enrolling in Course:

Mobile:
- Select the course in the language of your choosing from the menu
  - Located in the dark blue banner (white square button will open menu)
- On the course screen click the dark blue "Enroll" button.
- Proceed to course.
Desktop:
- Select the course in the language of your choosing from the menu
  - Located in the green banner.
- On the course screen click the dark blue "Enroll" button.
- Proceed to course.

COR

All COR activities/audits must follow the safety and hygiene practices outlined for COVID-19 by public health agencies (i.e. physical distancing, PPE, etc.)

Information for COR Certified Employers

COR Guideline Information Published By WorkSafeBC on: March 30, 2020

WorkSafeBC’s Certificate of Recognition (COR) team is working with certifying partners (CPs) like AgSafe BC to support employers with your 2020 COR audit requirements during the COVID-19 outbreak.

2020 Audits

New certifications

All new 2020 COR employer certifications need to follow the standard processes and auditing requirements.
- If this is not possible, you are requested to defer pursuing COR certification until the usual auditing requirements can be satisfied.

Re-Certification:

Audits that have been completed or are in progress
- Completed audits will be processed as usual.
- Audits that are underway must follow the practices outlined by public health agencies (e.g., physical distancing during interviews).
Audits not yet started for employers with COR certifications that expire by August 31, 2020
- If you are a COR Certified Employer who will not be able to complete the certification audit, you can apply for a “2020 audit waiver.”
  - To apply:
    - Contact AgSafe to ask for the waiver
    - AgSafe will complete and submit the 2020 audit waiver form to WorkSafeBC on your behalf
    - WorkSafeBC will reply to AgSafe with appropriate approvals
    - AgSafe will contact you to outline next steps
- If approved, WorkSafeBC will issue a one-year COR certificate(s) from the date of the original certificate expiry.
Audits for employers with COR certifications that expire between September 1 and December 31, 2020
- At this time, WorkSafeBC is planning to continue as usual with certificates that expire after September 1, 2020. However, this will be continued to be monitored and adjusted (per WorkSafeBC) as necessary.

Maintenance Audit (M1 and M2)

Maintenance audits can be performed at any time of the year, as long as they are completed before December 31.

Audit Questions

To help determine if an audit is still practicable and to see the preventative measures you can take when conducting an audit, please visit WorkSafeBC’s COVID-19 information and resources or AgSafeBC's COVID-19 Resources.

If you have questions about your audit, please contact AgSafe at cor@agsafebc.ca

For all safety related questions, please contact your local AgSafe Regional Safety Consultant or Advisor, or contact@agsafebc.ca

Next Steps

We will continue to work with WorkSafeBC to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and adjust our processes to ensure we follow the guidance from public health agencies. If you have questions, please contact cor@agsafebc.ca

Documents

Risk Assessments & Infection Prevention & Control Protocols

Involve frontline workers, supervisors, joint health and safety committee (or worker representative) in risk assessment process.

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Safety Plan

WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan Resources

General COVID-19 Information

Links:

Respirator Fit Testing Providers

Download Checklist

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Application Checklist Documents

Exit Interview (09-16-2020)

COVID-19 Awareness Course for Fruit Pickers in BC

Create Your Account:

Enrolling in Course:

COR

Information for COR Certified Employers

2020 Audits

New certifications

Re-Certification:

Maintenance Audit (M1 and M2)

Audit Questions

Next Steps

Documents

Risk Assessments & Infection Prevention & Control Protocols

Signs

Videos

New Worker Orientation (English)

New Worker Orientation (French)

New Worker Orientation (Spanish)

French Resources

Punjabi Resources

Spanish Resources

Vietnamese Resources