This policy has been canceled but will remain in the safety manual in case of another pandemic!
Power Tech Industries is closely following the impact of the Covid-19 virus as it extends around the World and into our Country and Province. Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our customers, suppliers, employees, primary contractors, sub-contractors, and visitors. This policy not only applies to the current Covid-19 pandemic but will apply to ANY pandemic emergency that may arise.
Responsibilities:
Senior Power Tech managers are responsible for the implementation of this policy in the event of a pandemic emergency, and to ensure all employees are trained in and follow the precautions as listed in the policy below. This training will include signs and symptoms of Covid-19 and / or any other prevalent pandemic event applicable at that time, pointers on preventing the spread of the disease, and precautions to take to minimize the possibility of coming into contact with the disease. Employees will be trained in disease containment plans that are put in place at their workplace.
Following any pandemic event meetings will be held with all staff to acquire input on the procedures and their effectiveness in Power Tech’s current work areas. This will allow input on the current procedures and allow for changes to be made in case some are ineffective. Senior management and the safety advisor will be responsible to follow through with all recommended changes discussed at these meetings. Employees will be trained on all procedure changes.
Senior Power Tech managers are responsible for all communications resulting from a pandemic situation in the workplace. They are to contact any applicable health authorities with any/all pertinent information resulting from a pandemic contamination.
Although this policy specifically mentions Covid-19 the policy is intended to instill safety precautions for any pandemic event that may occur.
Precautions:
To help stop the spread of this virus and any other pandemic events, all employees are instructed to immediately take the following precautions:
•Wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Soap and sanitizer will be available in all Power Tech washrooms and offices.
•Social distancing practices should be followed. Maintain at least 2 metre (6 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
•Gatherings of up to 30 people are allowed ONLY if social distancing rules can be followed. The size of the group is to be determined by the amount of room for social distancing and Provincial Government guidelines.
•Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth in case you have touched a surface that is contaminated with the Covid-19 or any virus.
•Always practice respiratory hygiene by covering your nose or mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue immediately.
•All employees must self-monitor your health. If you develop symptoms or are sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay home and seek medical attention. Call the health hotline at 811. If you call your primary physician, call in advance to ensure you are directed to the correct facility. This will help avoid the spread of the virus to others.
•To minimize spread of any virus amongst fellow workers and the public, if you have travelled outside of Canada to a region that is afflicted with a pandemic, or the current COVID-19 virus, or if you have come into contact with other people who may have contracted the virus, a mandatory 14 day self-isolation will be required. If symptoms show up during this period, you must seek medical attention.
•Although there is no vaccine for Covid-19 at this time, employees are encouraged to obtain this immunization when it is available. Employees are encouraged to obtain immunization shots for any virus that has the potential for a pandemic.
•Any outbreak at the work site MUST be reported to the Sask. Health Authority. Senior management is responsible for this communication.
•If an out break at the work site occurs, senior management will notify Power Tech customers if any work interruption is to occur.
As of March 2020, Power Tech has implemented the following precautions that all employees must follow. These precautions apply to all pandemic events:
•Employees must maintain physical distancing of a minimum of 6 ft.
•Safety and staff meetings are to be held in the back shop to ensure physical distancing practices can be met.
•More staff meetings will be held to keep employees informed on Covid-19 and any/all applicable pandemics and their impact on Power Tech, the Province, and Canada.
•Employees are to be educated on common pandemic procedures such as, hand washing, physical distancing, avoiding touching your eyes or face, practicing respiratory hygiene by sneezing/coughing into your elbow.
•A 14-day quarantine as per health regulations, is to be enforced for any employee who has travelled out of the country.
•A daily Covid-19/pandemic questionnaire sign in sheet is located in the office and back shop. Employees must sign in everyday.
•Extra cleaning/sanitizing at all Power Tech facilities are to include contact surfaces such as counter tops, hand rails, office equipment, bathrooms, etc..
•Employees are supplied hand sanitizer and have been instructed on how and when to use it.
Business Continuity:
To ensure business continuity and the ability to provide uninterrupted services, Power Tech has the following precautions in place:
•The use of multiple suppliers in the area in case of business interruption of any single supplier. This provides redundancy in the ability to keep minimum required stock and to ensure special items are available upon demand and / or available for quick order / shipment.
•All Journeymen Electricians and Apprentice Electricians are cross trained to fulfill job requirements of other crews in the event any crew is unavailable. This provides the ability to fulfill any job order as it is received.
•In the event of a COVID-19, or any pandemic outbreak, many office staff are cross trained and Power Tech office would be capable of being run with minimal staff via use of electronic communications and document scanning. Other office staff are capable of working from their home if required. Work crews would not need to attend the office and can receive / send documentation electronically.
•Effective March 23, 2020 a mandatory 14 day self-isolation will be required for any employees who have travelled outside of Canada to a region that is afflicted with a pandemic virus, or if have come into contact with other people who may have contracted the virus.
This pandemic plan / policy is to be reviewed on a yearly basis with all employees. Any errors found, or updates needed, will be discussed at the review meetings.
