Ontario has issued a new set of guidelines for employers in order to protect workers, customers, and the general public from COVID-19.
The announcement was made earlier today as part of Premier Doug Ford’s daily address. “We all want to reopen our businesses, services and favourite places across the province, but we must do it in a safe and responsible way,” Ford said. The rules released today apply to those working in manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, restaurant and food service and the agricultural sector.
“We are truly in extraordinary times,” Labour, Training and Skills Development Minister Monte McNaughton said. The new sector specific rules include:
- Ways to ensure appropriate physical distancing, like eliminating pay-at-the-door options, holding team meetings outdoors, staggering shift times and using ground markings and barriers to manage traffic flow.
- Changes to the workplace, like installing plexiglass barriers, increasing the air intake on building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to increase air flow, and using boot sanitizing trays.
- Promoting proper workplace sanitation, providing personal protective equipment, substituting dry dusting with vacuuming, ensuring customer-facing staff are given hand sanitizer, providing a place to dispose of sanitizing wipes, and enforcing handwashing before and after breaks.
The province is also adding 58 new inspectors. These include workers from Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). Their job will be to help promote the new safety guidelines, and enforce emergency measures including physical distancing and closure of non-essential businesses. For more information including guidance documents visit their website.
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