COVID 19 Safety Plan Instructions – Independent Living

This planning tool has been designed to guide Independent Living residences through WorkSafeBC’s six-step process to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in Independent 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 14^th, 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

Orders from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) or a Medical Health Officer (MHO) that reference Independent 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 Auburn Seniors Residence we have developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan (Safety Plan) mandated by the Provincial Health Officer Order dated May 14^th, 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 Auburn Seniors Residence workers, contractors, volunteers, residents, and visitors.

This Safety Plan addresses current operating status of Auburn Seniors Residence. As services are gradually increased within the independent 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:

• Auburn Seniors Residence, staff including front line workers, supervisors, and managers.
• Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) Currently Health and Safety Rep

The following documentation was used to assist in developing Auburn Seniors Residence, COVID-19 Safety Plan:

• Information about COVID-19 (BCCDC)
• Auburn Seniors Residence Exposure Control Plan
• SafeCare BC’s COVID-19 Safety Inspection Tool
• SafeCare BC’s Hierarchy of Control
• British Columbia Center for Disease Control
• WorkSafeBC – Health care and COVID-19 safety
• Orders, guidance, and notices issued by the provincial health officer relevant to Independent Living.
• Infection prevention and control interim guidance for long-term care and assisted living facilities (BCCDC)

This plan applies to all workers, including management, supervisors, front line workers, volunteers, and visitors to Auburn Seniors Residence

Current Control Measures in place at Auburn Seniors Residence

Workers (including Contractors & Volunteers)

• Workers are encouraged to use the BCCDC Health-Care Worker Self-Check and Safety Checklist before each shift and are instructed not to come to work if they are experiencing or have COVID-19 like symptoms.
• Workers with signs or symptoms of illness, as well as those in self-isolation or quarantine in accordance with public health directives, are not permitted to enter the independent living residence.
• Signage is posted at points of entry indicating people are not to enter if they are sick or if they are required to self-isolate in accordance with Public Health directives.
• A list of all workers and visitors is maintained seven days a week, 24 hours/day.
• Procedures are in place for workers to follow should they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at work or after work.
• All workers are actively self screened for signs and symptoms of illness, including COVID-19 prior to every shift. Screening results are documented.
• Workers who are working alone are required to follow Auburn Seniors Residence Working Alone Policy.
• Workers have received training and strategies to address the risk of violence that may arise and follow Auburn Seniors Residence violence prevention program.
• Workers are aware of how to report hazards in the workplace. Contact GM/AGM/ FSM to report hazards at any time when management is not on site. (604.798.0044)
• Workers have received refresher training on infection control practices.
• Supervisors have been trained on how to support workers in following the policies/procedures and know how to monitor/respond to identified hazards.
• All training has been documented and can be provided upon request.

Visitors

• All visitors are actively screened for signs and symptoms of illness, including COVID-19 prior to every visit. Visitors with symptoms identified via screening do NOT enter the residence.
• Visitors must sign in when entering the independent living residence. Signage is posted
• Visitors are instructed to adhere to infection prevention and control guidance regarding safe visitation practices such as hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and maintaining their physical distance from other visitors and staff.
• Visitors must wear a mask when in any common or public areas at Auburn Senior Residence.
• Visitors shall be given guidance on limiting circulation/movement throughout the independent living residence while visiting.

Residents

• Residents who leave the independent living residence are encouraged to follow appropriate public health guidelines and infection prevention measures while off site.
• Procedures are in place to isolate residents who show symptoms of COVID-19, have been directed to self-isolate by public health, or are under order to quarantine after travel outside of Canada.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, all resident in Auburn Seniors Residence are encouraged to wear a mask in all common and public areas at Auburn Seniors Residences
• During Isolation, the following measures are implemented: Delivery service of all meals, PPE measures for staff/visitors
• Procedures are in place if a resident is suspected of having COVID-19.

Hand Hygiene

• Signs and posters are posted throughout the Independent living residence to promote and guide proper hand washing by workers, visitors, and residents.
• Alcohol based hand rub (ABHR) with at least 70% alcohol content is available at all entry and exit points, common areas, and resident area’s.
• Workers must practice diligent hand hygiene before, after and during each episode or provision of care – cleaning their hands with soap and water or ABHR.
• Sinks are well stocked with plain soap and paper towels for hand washing.
• Supplies such as disinfecting wipes, tissues and waste receptacles are available as required at point-of-use.

Respiratory Hygiene

☐ Signs and posters are posted throughout the independent living residence to encourage and guide workers, residents, and visitors on proper respiratory hygiene.

• An adequate supply of tissues and lidded, non-touch waste baskets are available for use by workers, residents, and visitors.
• Workers are aware and are instructed on the importance of diligent respiratory etiquette. This includes covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching the face, mouth, nose, eyes, and mask.

Workplace Arrangements

• Hand hygiene stations are available and easily accessible at points of entry/exit to the independent living residence.
• Signs are posted to promote and encourage safe physical distancing by workers and visitors.
• Work areas including the following have been assessed for occupancy limits and arranged (where feasible) to maintain physical distancing.

• Virtual meeting tools and/or phone calls in lieu of in-person meetings or training sessions are held whenever possible. All required control measures, such as physical distancing, must be in place if communication or training takes place in person.
• Workers will maintain physical distancing measures when entering/exiting the workplace, while travelling through corridors and accessing common areas.
• Work tasks have been postponed, re-arranged, or planned in such a way that workers are not required to work in proximity to one another.
• Where 2 meters cannot be maintained between workers, the work task is planned and instructions to workers are provided to ensure that time spent in close proximity is minimized.
• Wherever possible, work processes within the independent living residence are re-organized to designate teams of workers to specific floors/wings of residents. If dedicated teams or workers for areas housing residents who are ill are not an option, workers must first work with asymptomatic residents before moving on to work with residents who are on droplet and contact precautions.
• Building ventilation systems are properly maintained.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Workers are trained on the proper use, care, maintenance, and disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes donning (putting on) and doffing (removing) PPE.
• Auburn Seniors Residence has trained, tested, and monitored worker’s compliance to ensure vigilant donning, wearing, and doffing of PPE.
• Signs are posted throughout the independent living residence indicating PPE requirements, and Auburn Seniors Residence follows guidelines for PPE use as set out by the BCCDC.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, all persons working in Auburn Seniors Residence wear a surgical/procedure mask for the full duration of their shift.
• Workers always follow droplet and contact precautions when entering COVID-19 units or rooms on droplet and contact precautions (i.e., rooms where residents diagnosed with confirmed or suspected COVID-19).

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Cleaning products and disinfectants used at Auburn Seniors Residence are effective against COVID-19. Disinfectants are classed as hospital grade and registered in Canada with a Drug Identification Number (DIN). Manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, contact times, safe use and material compatibility of all cleaning products is followed.
• Equipment and supplies are dedicated to a single resident where possible. If this is not possible, all reusable equipment that is shared between clients must be cleaned and disinfected with a hospital grade disinfectant first.
• All shared equipment (phones, tablets, computers, printers etc.) are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• Any furniture and surfaces in communal visiting areas will be sanitized as per the BCCDC guidelines at the end of each visit.

Environmental Cleaning

• A exposure control plan has been developed that outlines the procedure for enhanced daily cleaning throughout the independent living residence as well as high touch surfaces in nursing areas, staff room, common areas, hallways, resident rooms, bathrooms and other applicable areas. Environmental cleaning guidelines from the BCCDC are followed.
• Retirement Concepts – Auburn Seniors Residence I:\COVID19\WCSHM – Exposure Control Plan – April 15, 2020.pdf \\rc-file\users\mwipf\COVID Protocols\Exposure Control\WCSHM – Exposure Control Plan Quiz – April 15, 2020.pdf includes Cleaning and Disinfection process (pg. 21) and COVID-19 Environmental Cleaning Poster (Appendix F) have been developed that outlines the procedure for enhanced daily cleaning throughout the care home as well as high touch surfaces in nursing areas, staff room, common areas, hallways, resident rooms, bathrooms and other applicable areas. Environmental cleaning guidelines from the BCCDC are followed.
• Cleaning staff are dedicated to specific units or areas where possible. If not possible, cleaning staff should provide service to non-COVID-19 rooms/units first. Rooms on droplet and contact precautions, COVID-19 suspected or COVID-19 positive rooms to be cleaned last.

Expansion of Services

• Any modifications made to the current method of service delivery/work operations will be made in full consultation with those potentially affected by those changes, as well as the latest direction from the PHO, MHO, BCCDC and WorkSafeBC.
• Prior to any modifications being made, workers will be notified of the updated safety controls being implemented, including any new safe work procedures. These changes will be posted communication book, Itacit, bulleting board.

Auburn Seniors Residence 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.

In accordance with the order of the Provincial Health Officer dated May 14^th, 2020 a copy of Auburn Seniors Residence COVID-19 Safety Plan has been posted in Library, GM Office and Kitchen.