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Rural Municipality of Whitemouth E.3
Workplace Policy during COVID-19
Policy Introduction:
As health authorities around the world take action to contain the spread
of COVID-19, the Municipality must also play a role in stopping the
spread of this disease within the R.M. of Whitemouth and Province. This
policy provides simple strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in
the workplace to keep everyone safe. As the fall/winter season
approaches, the Municipality will continue to practise social distancing in
the Municipal office, PW shop, with staff, ratepayers, and stakeholders. It
will be necessary to continue with the cleaning protocols outlined by the
Province and adhere to all other guidelines and safety practices described
and be flexible to the changes that will occur when additional restrictions
are mandated by the Province.
Below are actions currently in place that will be adhered to until further
notice.
General Guidance
- Limit number of staff, ratepayers, and stakeholders within the
buildings to allow for physical distancing.
- Inform ratepayers, stakeholders and those entering the buildings
about actions that are being taken to keep everyone safe.
- Schedule frequent cleaning and disinfection of high-touch items,
surfaces, and washrooms.
- Conduct health screening for COVID-19 symptoms for staff,
ratepayers, and stakeholders.
- Restrict admission, to allow ease of movement while maintaining
physical distancing.
- Use posters, floor markers and furniture to encourage everyone to
maintain two metres/six feet.
- Encourage hand hygiene by providing hand sanitizer (70-90% alcohol
concentration) at the entrance.
- Conduct enhanced cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces,
and washrooms.
- Anyone who travels to an area deemed high-risk or to a destination
when government have advised against travel, the employee will
notify their supervisor of their intent to travel and upon return will be
required to undergo a 14-day period of self-isolation before they
return to work. The period of self-isolation will be unpaid unless there
is sufficient vacation pay available.
Staff Health Screening and Attendance
- All staff will be informed of any changes being made to protect them
against COVID-19 by the CAO.
- The Municipality will make plans to operate with different levels of
employee absenteeism due to illness, ill-dependants, or for childcare
during unexpected school closures.
- Physical Distancing signs to be posted at all entrances, offices and
break rooms, and in public areas.
- The Municipality will manage entrance flow and limit the number of
staff, ratepayers, and stakeholders at any given time by posting signs
on number of people allowed into the premises at one time.
- The Municipality will provide online services or by phone whenever
possible.
- The Municipality will encourage hand hygiene and respiratory
etiquette.
- The Municipality will post: Wash your Hands, Cover your Cough,
Protect Yourself signs in high traffic areas.
- Hand sanitizers dispensers will be placed by entrances for everyone to
use upon entering the Municipal office.
- Should an employee have a fever or be sent home due to a fever, the
Municipality will request a written document from the employee stating
that they are negative before being allowed back to work. If an
employee collects EI benefits due to being isolated, a written
document will also be required. Any other absence/sick leave will be
under the Employee Manual.
Public Works and Leisure Services:
- Municipal vehicles will continue to maintain single drivers wherever
possible. Should it be necessary to have two people in a vehicle,
masks will be worn.
- Vehicle interior will be sanitized between uses. All vehicles must be
sanitized prior to being parked at the end of the workday.
- Social distancing guidelines must be adhered to when working, if it is
not possible to social distance then masks must be worn while
working.
- Any equipment used on a job site must be sanitized on high-touch
surfaces between uses and again when put away for the day. High
touch surfaces include steering wheels, door handles, arm rests, etc.
- Wash your hands between jobs wherever possible or use hand
sanitizer.
- All vehicles will carry masks, screens, gloves, disinfectant wipes and
hand sanitizer
- Any incidents of illness must be reported to the CAO immediately.
Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfection
- Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces at least twice a day and
more frequently as needed. High touch surfaces include items such as
door handles, counters, cabinet doors, light switches, faucets, toilet
handles, handrails, touch screen surfaces, and keypads.
- Ensure washrooms are always stocked with liquid soap and paper
towels.
- It is anticipated we may see additional requirements as we enter the
second wave of the pandemic. This policy will be amended as
provincial health protocols are announced.
Screening Measures Communication Example
COVID-19 Screening Measures are in place for this building.
If you or any members of your household have TRAVELLED OUTSIDE OF
CANADA WITHIN THE PAST 14 DAYS or have any of the symptoms below,
please do NOT enter the building and contact your manager for further
instruction:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
Reviewed and Accepted on February 27, 2024, by Resolution No.42/24
Accepted as policy on October 13, 2020_, Resolution 307/20