COVID-19 Health and Safety Support Information

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)  is a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting Ontario workers and businesses. A proud partner in Ontario’s occupational health and safety system and a trusted safety advisor since 1917, WSPS has a rich history of making Ontario workplaces safer. 

WSPS has gathered a number of health and safety resources to support your business through COVID-19. LEDC has partnered with WSPS to ensure businesses know:

• What steps you can take right now to keep your employees / workplace safe
• What to do if an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19
• What the 'new normal' of health and safety at a workplace may look like and how you can implement preventative measures upon returning to work

Section 1: COVID-19 Resource Information
Sources: WSPS and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

WSPS’ main Covid-19 Portal:

This link will direct you to WSPS’ main Covid-19 portal. Listed below are examples of specific resources:

1. Business Preparedness Pandemic Checklist. - Links to official sources (Public Health, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, etc.)
2. Link to a page of business resources (government, planning and sector-specific information) 
3. Links to COVID-19 and infection control information – including some great awareness resources from the Government of Canada
4. Link to a new “Working Remotely” page that features information on ergonomics, mental health and online learning 
5. 9 Suggestions To Help Avoid Work Refusals.
6. WSIB Covid-19 Injury Related Claims.

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters:

1. Social Distancing in the Manufacturing Workplace: Protocols and guidelines to help manufacturers put in place social distancing measures to keep employees safe through the COVID-19 crisis
2. Protocols & Guidelines: COVID-19 Positive Employee: For manufacturers, one question looms larger than all others as we prepare to weather the COVID-19 crisis: what do we do when one of our people tests positive? The CME Made Safe health and safety experts have prepared recommendations to guide manufacturers through the necessary steps and operational decisions that follow a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
3. Guidelines for Healthy and Safety Operations During Covid-19: We are introducing our most comprehensive guide on COVID-19  so far, aiming to answers manufacturers' most pressing operational questions. With the right tools and information, we will be able meet these new challenges and the ones that lie ahead. We hope that by sharing this information, our industry will be able to respond quickly to this pandemic.
4. Importing Goods & Packages: COVID-19 Shipment Handling Guidelines: CME Made Safe has prepared a document to help manufacturers implement effective safety measures for goods shipped over borders.
5. Health and Safety Tips: Using Disinfectant: COVID-19: Advice and protocols on using disinfectants correctly and, tips on how to mitigate transmission risks in the manufacturing environment
6. CME Pandemic Guide (LAST UPDATED: 2009): This document developed by CME during the SARS epidemic and updated in 2009 and, although it is in part outdated, it does contain information that can still be helpful today.

Section 2: Mental Health in Times of COVID-19
Sources: WSPS, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Mental Health Commission of Canada

1. Mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic 
2. Psychological Safety Blog
3. COVID-19: Psychological Health & Safety: Tips and insights to help manufacturers address mental health in the workplace throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
4. WSPS “Working Remotely” page that features information on ergonomics, mental health and online learning.
5. Mental Health Poster
6. WSPS eLearning Sessions (free of charge) 

• Mental Health: Health and Wellness Strategies
• Mental Health: Signs, Symptoms and Solutions
• Mental Health: Psychologically Healthy Workplaces
• Mental Health: Communication Strategies
• Mental Health: Awareness                        

Section 3: Information & 'How-To' Posters
Sources: WSPS, Federal & Provincial Government, National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOHS), Public Health Ontario

Covid-19 Specific Information Documents and Posters

1. About coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Infographic
2. Help reduce the spread of Covid 19
3. Physical Distancing – Actions for reducing the spread of Covid-19 
4. Surgical Mask vs. N95 Respirator
5. How to Self-Isolate
6. How to Self-Monitor
7. Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings
8. Public Health Ontario’s How to Handwash Poster
9. Public Health Ontario Multilingual “How To” Posters
10. Mental Health Poster

Section 4: Occupational Specific Health & Safety Guidelines
Sources: WSPS

Here you will find guidelines for a variety of industries and roles, including Agricultural, Truck Driving, Equipment Operators, Food Retail Sector, Office Sector, Restaurant Services, Grocery, Warehousing and more. Scroll to bottom of page – located under ‘downloads’

Section 5: Health & Safety Duty Consultant
Sources: WSPS, Federal & Provincial Government, National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOHS), Public Health Ontario

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) has, and will continue to be, a leader in providing impactful hazard risk management solutions. We have extended our core business hours and have a Duty Consultant on call from 7am – 7pm to Monday to Friday.  You can reach the Duty Consultant via email  at dutyconsultant@wsps.ca or telephone 1-877-494-9777.  There is no charge for this service.

Section 6: Free COVID-19 related eCourses
Sources: WSPS, ViewBiz

WSPS Covid-19 related eCourses (no charge):

• Pandemic Planning
• Pandemic Awareness
• Coronavirus Preparedness for Employers and Employees (English) (30 min) 

Other Free WSPS eCourses indirectly related to Covid-19 (no charge):

• Supervisor Responsibilities and Due Diligence Refresher (English) (10 min) 
• Workplace Violence and Harassment Awareness (English) (20 minutes) 
• Mental Health: Health and Wellness Strategies
• Mental Health: Signs, Symptoms and Solutions  
• Mental Health: Psychologically Healthy Workplaces
• Mental Health: Communication Strategies
• Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention                
• Office Ergonomics                                                                        
• Mental Health: Awareness                

Section 7: Emergency Specific Information
Sources: Government of Ontario

Emergency information related to Covid-19

Providing information on:

• Staying Protected
• How to self-isolate
• Safely providing care
• Return from travel
• Symptoms and treatment

Section 8: Business Recovery
Sources: WSPS, Government of Ontario

Reopening Ontario after Covid-19.

WSPS recovery checklists (available shortly). Three versions; 1) customers that are currently operating, 2) customers that have shut down operations; and, 3) those that have moved their staff to remote work locations. 

Section 9: Additional COVID-19 Sources of Information

• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
• Food and Beverage Ontario
• Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Ontario Ministry of Health
• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention