Covid 19 Safety
Assess the risks at your workplace:
- We have involved physiotherapists and admins
- We have identified areas where people gather, such as break rooms, reception area and treatment rooms
- We have identified job tasks and processes where workers are close to one another or to patients/families
- We have identified equipment, supplies and toys that workers share while working
- We have identified surfaces that people touch often, such as doorknobs, light switches, chairs, exercise equipment and toys
First level protection (elimination): Limit the number of people at the workplace and ensure physical distance whenever possible
- Limiting the number of physiotherapists working during any given shift to two
- The option of doing virtual sessions from home, to decrease the amount of time spent in clinic
- Limiting the number of people accompanying each patient to their appointment
- Reducing the number of people in the waiting room to prevent overcrowding
- Requesting patients arrive right at their scheduled appointment time to decrease time spent in reception area
- We have implemented measures to keep workers and others at least 2 meters apart, wherever possible. Options include revising work schedules and organizing work tasks
Second level protection (engineering): Barriers and partitions
- We have installed barriers where workers can’t keep physically distant from co-workers, customers or others
- We have included barrier cleaning into our protocols
- We have installed the barriers so they don’t introduce risks to workers
- There is a plexiglass “sneezeguard” along the entire length of the reception desk to separate patients from admin staff and physiotherapists
- The sneezeguard has wide bases, which are mounted to the desk surface to increase stability
- A surface cleaner will be used to clean the plexiglass at 2PM and at the end of the day
Third level protection (administrative): Rules and guidelines
- We have identified rules and guidelines for how workers should conduct themselves
- We have clearly communicated these rules and guidelines to workers through a combination of training and signage
- Using paper towel to wipe down equipment with appropriate cleaner
- Wiping down equipment with corresponding cleaner after each use
- Clear labels on each of the cleaning solutions so admin and physiotherapists know what to use it for
- Strict cleaning schedule of common area fixtures such as chairs, door handles, POS terminal and benches
Fourth level protection: Using masks (optional measure in addition to other control measures)
- We have reviewed the information on selecting and using masks and instructions on how to use a mask
- We understand the limitations of masks to protect the wearer from respiratory droplets. We understand that masks should only be considered when other control measures cannot be implemented
- We have trained workers in the proper use of masks
- All physiotherapists, admins and parents will be required to wear masks.
- Our team has been trained in the proper use of masks by reading WCB documentation and watching educational videos on proper donning and doffing of masks
- Masks are available in clinic for parents who do not have their own
- All physiotherapists and admin have access to masks
Reduce the risk of surface transmission through effective cleaning and hygiene practices
- We have reviewed the information on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
- Our workplace has enough handwashing facilities on site for all our workers. Handwashing locations are visible and easily accessed
- We have policies that specify when workers must wash their hands and we have communicated good hygiene practices to workers. Frequent handwashing and good hygiene practices are essential to reduce the spread of the virus
- We have implemented cleaning protocols for all common areas and surfaces. This includes the frequency that these items must be cleaned as well as the timing
- Workers who are cleaning have adequate training and materials
- We have removed unnecessary tools and equipment to simplify the cleaning process
- Physiotherapists are responsible for cleaning all large pieces of equipment used after each patient (exercise balls, ladder, bosu, balance beam, boxes) and any surfaces such as chairs, plinth, treadmill and bike
- Physiotherapists are responsible for disinfecting their workspace at the end of each shift
- Physiotherapists will wash hands between each patient
- Admin will disinfect reception area after each patient
- Admin will disinfect the POS after each use
- Admin will wash toys used after each patient
- Each admin will disinfect the desk surface, printer, phone, keyboard and pens used after each shift
- Physiotherapists and admin will bring their own water bottles and utensils, and these will be washed at home
- No water cups will be provided to patients
- Admin will disinfect the water cooler at 2PM and at the end of the day
- There are gloves available for anyone wanting to use when cleaning or for treatment sessions
Develop Policies: Our workplace policies ensure that workers and others showing symptoms of COVID-19 are prohibited from the workplace
- Anyone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days. Symptoms include fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and new muscle aches or headache
- Anyone directed by Public Health to self-isolate
- Anyone who has arrived from outside of Canada or who has had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self isolate for 14 days and monitor symptoms
- Visitors are prohibited or limited in the workplace
- We have a work from home policy in place (if needed)
Our policy addresses workers who may start to feel ill at work. It includes the following:
- Sick workers should report to Maegan or Missy, even with mild symptoms.
- Sick workers should be asked to wash or sanitize their hands, provided with a mask, and isolated. Ask the worker to go straight home and call 811 for further guidance
- If the worker is severely ill (ie: difficulty breathing, chest pain), call 911
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces the ill worker has come into contact with
Monitor workplace and update plans as necessary
- We have a plan in place to monitor risks. We make changes to our policies and procedures as necessary
- Our team knows who to go to with health and safety concerns
- When resolving safety issues we will involve Missy and the physiotherapists
Develop communication plans and training
- We have a training plan to ensure everyone is trained in workplace policies and procedures
- All workers have received the policies for staying home when sick
- We have posted signage at the workplace, including occupancy limits and effective hygiene practices
- Supervisors have been trained on monitoring workers and the workplace to ensure policies and procedures are being followed
- We have posted signage at the main entrance indicating who is restricted from entering the premises, including patients and workers with symptoms.
Assess and address risks from resuming operations
- We have a training plan for new staff
- We have a training plan for staff taking on new roles or responsibilities
- We have a training plan around changes to our business, such as new equipment, processes or products