COVID-19 Resource Centre

Tools and resources for workers and employers

Job Guidance for Employers

 

Job Guidance for Workers

 

Tools and Resources for Workplaces

Resources to Support Healthy Workers

 

Reexperience Our Virtual Conference Sessions

In January 2020, a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified as the cause of an outbreak of pneumonia originating in Wuhan, China. The Ontario Ministry of Health indicates that there is evidence of human-to-human transmission of this virus.

 

The situation continues to evolve, and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario are closely monitoring the outbreak, conducting surveillance and testing, and providing public health and infection control guidance. The Ontario Ministry of Health has produced Guidance Documents and Directives for a number of health sectors related to COVID-19. Ontario Health has also developed a number of Health System Response Materials, including recommendations for the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

 

If you think you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use Ontario’s self-assessment tool to help determine if you need to seek further care. For the latest information on how to protect yourself, visit covid-19.ontario.ca and Public Health Ontario.

Job Guidance for Employers

 

The following COVID-19 job guidance information sheets have been created for essential occupations to support Healthcare, Public Safety and Municipal employers.

 

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Health & Community Care

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Municipalities & Government

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Public Safety

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Education & Culture

Job Guidance for Workers

 

The following COVID-19 job guidance information sheets have been created for essential occupations to support workers in Healthcare, Public Safety and Municipal workplaces.

 

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Health & Community Care

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Municipalities & Government

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Public Safety

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Education & Culture

Develop Your COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan

All employers are encouraged to develop a COVID-19 workplace safety plan and to review and update it regularly. Some businesses, including all those operating during a lockdown or shutdown, must have a written safety plan by law. If you are required to have a safety plan you must make it available to anyone who asks to see it, and post it in a place where it will be seen easily.

Tools and Resources for Workplaces

 

Preparedness, thoughtful planning and coordination will be fundamental for organizations to navigate through the pandemic safely and sustainably. The following tools and resources can support employers and workplaces as they respond to meet the occupational health and safety needs of their communities.

 

Prevention Resources

Infection Prevention and Control at Work: Basic Awareness Training
This eLearning program will equip workers with knowledge in how infections spread and what action can be taken to protect themselves and others.
General Infectious Disease Risk Assessment Tool
The following tools and appendices have been developed for broader public organizations to help them identify and assess infectious disease risks, develop controls and an action plan to protect workers or others in the workplace.
Infectious Disease Threats Risk Assessment Tool for Acute Care
This tool follows a six-step risk management process and is divided into two worksheets: Risk Identification and Analysis Worksheet; and Risk Assessment and Management Worksheet.
Occupational Illness Infectious Disease Reporting Form
Accessory form for the Occupational Illness: Requirements to Report to the Ministry of Labour fast fact.
COVID-19 Donning Poster and Checklist
This checklist is designed to assist healthcare workers (HCWs) and paramedics on the correct donning of personal protective equipment (PPE).
COVID-19 Doffing Poster and Checklist
This checklist is designed to assist healthcare workers (HCWs) and paramedics on the correct doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE).
COVID-19 Police Donning Poster and Checklist
This checklist is designed to assist police service workers on the correct donning of personal protective equipment (PPE).
COVID-19 Police Doffing Poster and Checklist
This checklist is designed to assist police service workers on the correct doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE).
PPE in Police Workplaces During COVID-19
This fact sheet is designed to assist Police organizations and the frontline worker with understanding the benefits and limitations of the various types of facial PPE.
Public Health Ontario Donning Full PPE Video
A step-by-step demonstration of how to properly put on full personal protective equipment for droplet/contact precautions.
Public Health Ontario Doffing Full PPE Video
A step-by-step demonstration of how to properly take off full personal protective equipment for droplet/contact precautions.
COVID-19 Posters
This suite of posters provide COVID-19 guidance for essential service sectors. While the posters are based on information from the sector guidance notes, they can be used across several sectors. It is recommended that these posters are printed and posted in highly visible areas around the workplace.
COVId-19 Affiches
Cette série d’affiches fournit une orientation sur la COVID-19 à l’intention des secteurs de services essentiels.

Workplace Planning Resources

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – Support for Businesses
Learn about federal programs and benefits to find the support you need for your business.
COVID-19: Help for Businesses in Ontario
Learn about changes to government programs and available supports as your business recovers from COVID-19.
Ontario Small Business Recovery Resources
Learn about resources available for Ontario businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
Return to the Workplace Readiness Assessment
A self-administered questionnaire to help businesses assess how prepared they are for returning to the workplace following COVID-19.
Return to the Workplace Roadmap
An action plan template for businesses to build their Return to the Workplace plan structured into 3 stages of recovery.
COVID-19 Safety Checklist for Workplaces (MLTSD)
Employers can use this checklist to make sure their COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan contains key elements to help protect workers, customers and the general public.
COVID-19 Prevention & Response Policy
This sample policy is designed to be part of a workplace emergency preparedness and response plan.
Business Continuity Planning Checklist for a Pandemic
A strategic planning process called business continuity planning can assist small or larger businesses in the development of a comprehensive and effective Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for adverse events e.g. pandemic.
Small Business Continuity Planning Checklist for a Pandemic
This tools will enable organizations to identify gaps in their business continuity planning processes and allow them to develop an action plan to close the gaps.
Maintaining an Effective JHSC During Emergency Situations COVID 19
The continued operation of an effectively functioning JHSC is a legal requirement for Ontario.
COVID-19 Inspection Checklist for Joint Health & Safety Committees
The sample COVID-19 Inspection Checklist is designed to assist JHSCs in assessing various aspects of the workplace and determine whether or not corrective action is necessary.
COVID-19: Worker and Employer Duty to Report
This fast fact provides the basic information that you need to know about Worker and Employer illness reporting duties.
OHS Considerations for Reopening & Operating During the Pandemic
This CSA Report reviews and summarizes occupational health and safety practices that can support safer reopening and ongoing operation of workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
Review a list of companies that sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to keep your employees and customers safe.
Ontario Together: Help Fight Coronavirus
Sell medical supplies, find personal protective equipment (PPE), solve problems, or volunteer to help protect against COVID-19.
Custom COVID-19 Consulting Services
PSHSA has the expertise and resources to support your organization through the recovery phase of the pandemic.

Webinars

The Role of Ventilation as a Control for COVID-19 in Workplaces
Do you have questions about how to safely reopen workplaces? How do you recognize and control hazards?
Infection Control Precautions to Mitigate the Effects of a Second Wave
Join Occupational Hygienists, Maryam and Jackie, as they discuss the epidemiology of COVID-19.
First Responders and the Novel Coronavirus - The Designated Officer's Role
This webinar reviews the behavior of viruses and the Novel Coronavirus specifically.
Fatigue Management for Essential Workers
Join Occupational Hygienists, Maryam and Jackie, as they discuss how to identify risk of fatigue, why it is important, how does this impact workers.
Occupational Health & Safety in Long-Term Care
Jointly facilitated by the MLTSD and the PSHSA, this webinar provides important information and details to support Ontario’s long-term care organizations.
ORCA Occupational Health and Safety During COVID-19 Webinar – Retirement Homes
Highlights of the webinar included: the role of the MLTSD and current approach during the pandemic,
Learn about Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses like COVID-19. Ontario’s vaccine distribution will happen in stages.

Resources to Support Healthy Workers

 

The following resources provide tips and guidance to help workers find balance and stay healthy and safe both at work and at home during this unprecedented time.

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – Support for Individuals
Learn about federal programs, benefits and supports that are available to you.
COVID-19: Support for People
Learn what financial, mental health and other supports are available during COVID-19 from the Ontario Government.
Coping with Uncertainty
As the COVID-19 situation is evolving, we are learning more every day but there is still so much that is unknown. It’s natural for us to feel anxious, fearful, stressed or overwhelmed when we are surrounded by uncertainty.
Safety at Home after Work
Although all effort is made to reduce exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, workers can unknowingly carry contamination from the workplace back to their homes.
Safety at Home after Work Video
Although all effort is made to reduce exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, workers can unknowingly carry contamination from the workplace back to their homes. What precautions can workers take to reduce contamination at home?
Staying Productive while Working From Home
Working from home has become the new normal for most workers in Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Effectively Managing Financial Strain
In any disaster- natural or manmade- jobs and the economy are one of the first things to be impacted as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physical Activity and Physical Distancing
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important for people of all ages and abilities to be as active as possible.
Mental Health and COVID-19
Join the conversation with Dr. Bill Howatt, Chief of Research, Workplace Productivity at the Conference Board of Canada.
Activities for Kids While at Home
Widespread closures of schools, community centers and public spaces due to the necessary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 have parents thinking about how to keep their children occupied.
Using Your Pantry For Healthy Recipes In Social Distancing
As our community follows physical distancing and self-isolation strategies, cooking is a great way to explore creativity.

Reexperience Our Virtual Conference Sessions

 

PSHSA hosted two recent virtual conferences exploring the impacts of COVID-19 and supporting workplaces in keeping their employees, customers and communities safe. Tune into these recorded sessions for insights and guidance from thought leaders and health and safety experts spanning a range of industries across Canada.

 

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