COVID-19 Safety Plan for Fisk Construction Inc.

Fisk Construction Inc. is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our workforce, including taking the appropriate steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Safe operations on our job sites are guided by the following principles:

  • Our top priority is the health and safety of any and all persons on site

  • We use the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer and WorkSafe BC Guidelines as our baselines for conducting in-person activities

  • We recognize the benefits of in-person services and will add these when safety permits

  • We recognize that every subcontractor and individual has unique circumstances that may affect the ability to deliver in-person services

  • We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic situation is ever-changing and we must be flexible and adaptable in our approach, prepared to be able to relax or tighten restrictions as circumstances dictate

GUIDING STRUCTURE

This plan is informed by WorkSafe BC Guidelines and the Provincial Health Officer recommendations. It is administered under the guidance of Fisk Construction Inc.’s Senior Management Team. 

DETERMINING RISK OF COVID-19

Currently, construction is classified as a lower-risk occupation according to the Occupational Risk Pyramid for COVID-19. Currently, information suggests COVID-19 is spread through:

  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, followed by touching the eyes, nose or mouth

  • Airborne respiratory droplets expelled during regular talking and breathing as well as coughing and sneezing

  • Touching a contaminated surface or object, then touching the eyes, nose and mouth

Because of these transmission methods, being in close proximity (within but not limited to 6-feet) to an infected person can result in transmissions. Enclosed spaces (e.g. trailers, toilets, etc.) confined spaces and any space with recycled air present an additional exposure risk and should be avoided as much as possible. 

REDUCING RISK OF COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that is transmitted through person-to-person contact. 

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads in several ways, including through droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, and from touching a contaminated surface and then touching the face. Higher-risk situations require adequate protocols to address the risk. The risk of COVID-19 depends on the amount of virus circulating in the community, which changes from place to place and over time. Community transmission is monitored by public health authorities in British Columbia.

When selecting the most appropriate prevention measures, consider the current level of community transmission of COVID-19 as well as the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention. The collection of prevention measures chosen will depend on what the institution needs to function.

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First level protection (elimination): Where practical, safe physical distancing between people as recommended by the Provincial Health Officer is enforced. Use policies and procedures to reduce the number of prolonged close contacts among faculty, staff and students.

Second level protection (engineering controls): In situations where physical distancing cannot be maintained and a large number of contacts are expected (e.g. site meeting), physical barriers are in place to reduce the number of close contacts. 

Third level protection (administrative controls): Establish rules and guidelines, such as cleaning protocols, advising faculty, staff and students not to share tools, or implementing one-way doors or walkways. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick or have close contact with someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider.

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20-seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren’t available. Always follow good hand washing practices:

    • Upon arriving at the Jobsite and before going home at the end of the day

    • Before and after eating

Fourth level protection (protective Equipment or PPE): During periods of high levels of community transmission and when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, consider the use of PPE, such as nonmedical masks. Be aware of the limitation of non-medical masks to protect the wearer from respiratory droplets. Ensure faculty, staff and students are using masks appropriately. Note that PPE may be mandatory in certain post-secondary settings (e.g., clinical settings, laboratories). Health experts advise that masks may be problematic for some people, such as those with asthma, autism, or hearing impairments. For this reason, alternate PPE options should be included in planning.

COVID-19 SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL

The BC Ministry of Health developed a self-assessment tool to help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else if they are unable. COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool

SELF-MONITORING & SELF-ISOLATION

The BC Centre for Disease Control offers information on self-monitoring and self-isolation on its website.

Self-monitoring means looking for new symptoms or signs of COVID-19 infection such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, etc.

Self-isolation means staying home and not going to work or school, and monitoring for symptoms for 14 days. Some essential service workers may be exempt from the 14-day self-isolation period.

Check the BCCDC website for full details.

STAY UP TO DATE

The B.C. Government has developed a COVID-19 Support application, which lets you receive the latest updates and alerts, and resources from trusted sources. The self-assessment tool is also embedded in the application. 

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

  • Non-medical hotline: 1-888-COVID19 or 1-888-268-4319. The line is staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and information is available in more than 110 languages.

  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19, call 811 to speak with a health care professional.