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This planning tool has been designed to guide Assisted Living residences through WorkSafeBC’s six-step process to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in Assisted Living.  Briefly, these steps are:

Step 1: Assess the risk at your workplace

Step 2: Implement measures to reduce the risk

Step 3: Develop policies

Step 4: Develop communication plans and training

Step 5: Monitor your workplace and update your plans as needed

Step 6: Assess and address the risks from resuming operations.

 

This plan is a template and is designed to be modified based on the needs of your organization. 

Green text throughout the document can be replaced with your organization’s information. 

The checklists in each section are fillable – if the item listed is applicable to your workplace, you can click on the box and a checkmark will appear.  If the item as written is not applicable, you may re-word it to meet the needs of your workplace or delete it.

There are boxes to add additional information at the end of each section.  If there is no additional information to be added, the box can be deleted.

Process:

Assemble a team including leadership and worker representatives from the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC).  For sites that do not have a JOHSC, a worker safety representative must be involved in the process of developing your COVID-19 Safety Plan.

You may wish to perform an inspection of the assisted living residence as a part of developing your COVID-19 Safety Plan.  SafeCare BC has developed a COVID-19 Safety Inspection Tool that can guide you through the development of your COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Once completed, forward a copy of the Safety Inspection Checklist to your Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, and keep a copy on file.

In accordance with the order of the Provincial Health Officer dated May 14th, 2020 a copy of the completed COVID-19 Safety Plan must be posted on your website and also made readily available at the workplace for review by workers, contractors, volunteers, suppliers, visitors, and any other person who could be providing services at the workplace.

 

A copy of the COVID-19 Safety Plan and other associated documentation must be provided if requested by a WorkSafeBC officer.

 

This COVID-19 Safety Plan should be regularly reviewed and updated as work processes change or new orders from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) or Medical Health Officer (MHO) are implemented.

 

COVID 19 Safety Plan

Organization NameThe Wellesley
Address2800 Blanshard St. and 2811 Nanaimo St.
Date of Creation2020
Date of Revision(s)February 2022



Orders from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) or a Medical Health Officer (MHO) that reference Assisted Living take precedence over this policy.

All employers in British Columbia have an obligation under the Workers Compensation Act to ensure the health and safety of workers and others at their workplace and to implement polices and procedures to protect workers from the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

At The Wellesley we have developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan (Safety Plan)  mandated by the Provincial Health Officer Order dated May 14th, 2020.  This plan outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures put in place to eliminate, and where elimination is not possible, to reduce, the risk of COVID-19 exposure to The Wellesley workers, contractors, volunteers, residents, and visitors.

This Safety Plan addresses current operating status of The Wellesley.  As services are gradually increased within the assisted living residence, this plan will be updated.

As a part of assessing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace, the following groups and information sources were consulted:

 

The following documentation was used to assist in developing The Wellesley COVID-19 Safety Plan:

This plan applies to all workers, including management, supervisors, front line workers, volunteers, and visitors to The Wellesley

 

Current Control Measures in place at The Wellesley

Workers (including Contractors & Volunteers)

 

Additional Information:

2) Physical distancing measures (2m) are in place

3) For high traffic areas, such as the General Store, we have signs on the ground enforcing 2 meter distancing

4) Common areas where staff / resident’s sit has been adjusted to accommodate physical distancing. I.e. every chair is strategically positioned 2 meters apart

5) We have staff that screen people entering the building

6) Physicians will limit in-person visits to essential visits

7) Pharmacists will limit in-person visits to essential visits

8) Managers will stagger their schedules when necessary.

9) Occupancy limits for workers:  We have set-up a second staff room to limit the number of employees in the staff room at one time.

10) Set-up virtual visitation for family members

11) Rapid Antigen Test offered to any residents or staff reporting symptoms or possible exposure.

 

 

Visitors

Additional Information: Rapid Antigen Test offered to visitors requesting. 

 


Residents

 

Additional Information: Residents asked to self-monitor, anyone experiencing symptoms is asked to remain in their suite and alert the Front Desk.  Rapid Antigen Test offered.  Resident requested to isolate until symptoms resolve/ 5 days.

 

Hand Hygiene

 

Additional Information: JHSC conduct regular hand hygiene audits.

 


Respiratory Hygiene

 

Additional Information: General Manager is Fit Test certified.  Fit Test Kit on site if required.


Workplace Arrangements

Organization Entrance

One door for entry, one door for exit.

Organization Lobby

Consider spacing seating arrangements or removing seating.

-Barriers around reception desk if physical distancing can not be maintained.

Worker Lunchroom/break room Consider arrangement of furniture, staggered breaks.

Occupant limits posted.

Additional lunch room provided.

 

Worker shared spaces Consider arrangement of furniture, staggered breaks.

 

Administrative areas Arrangement of workstations/furnitureHallways/Corridors

Directional signage

Elevators

Occupant limits posted

Staff Washrooms

Occupant limits posted

Training Rooms

Consider arrangement of furniture.

Occupant limits posted

 

Board Room – N/A 

 

 

 


Additional Information:


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Additional Information: Weekly PPE inventory to insure supply requirements met.



Cleaning and Disinfection

 

Additional Information: Ryobi atomizer utilized at night in common areas while residents sleep. 


Environmental Cleaning

 

Additional Information:

 

Additional Information:

Provide information about your cleaning plan. Specify who is responsible for cleaning, the cleaning schedule, and what the cleaning protocols will include (e.g., which surfaces, tools, equipment, and machines).

 

1) Enhanced cleaning plan is outlined in the Exposure Control Plan

2) All staff have a role in enhanced cleaning. Housekeeping staff play a particularly important role in disinfecting high-touch areas including:

– Hand rails in stairwells

– Chair armrests and back of chairs

– Door handles

– Door lock keypads

– Dining room tables

– Hallway seating

– Hand rails in hallways

– Elevator buttons

– Buttons and handles on equipment and machines

– Magnetic lock release buttons

– Staff room

– Bathrooms

The staff in charge of disinfecting these high-touch areas will be cleaning these surfaces at least twice per day

3) Proper hand hygiene technique education has been provided to all staff. Staff have also been instructed, during their care for residents and before / after meals, to provide hand sanitizer to the residents

4) Recreation department will have a formal cleaning schedule of rec area and office to ensure cleaning is done as efficiently as possible

 

 

Expansion of Services

The Wellesley has reviewed our existing risk assessments for the jobs and areas affected in the workplace.  We have considered the effects of control measures discussed in this COVID-19 Safety Plan on existing safeguards and controls and revised our risk assessments and other documentation accordingly.

 

Additional Information



A copy of The Wellesley COVID-19 Safety Plan has been posted at JHSC Board , as required by the order of the Provincial Health Officer.