Revised COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan (v3.0)
703DM CACC June 23, 2022
2022-06-23 13:09:16
COVID-19 Safety Plan – snapshot
Business name: Toronto Paramedic Services
Division/group: Central Ambulance Communications Centre (CACC)
Division/site: 703 Don Mills (703DM)
Date revised: June 23, 2022
Date reviewed: June 23, 2022
How we’re ensuring workers know how to keep themselves safe from exposure to COVID-19
- Staff updates summarizing the current situation and changes in measures are emailed on a regular basis to all Divisional staff.
- Supervisory staff are provided with regular messaging about measures in place so they can keep staff informed.
How we’re screening for COVID-19
- Toronto Paramedic Services requires all staff to complete an online Pre-Shift Screening tool within 2 hours of the start of their shift
- The screening tool is based on the guidance provide by Public Health Ontario in conjunction with Toronto Public Health and the Medical Advisor for Toronto Paramedic Services and is accessible from a mobile device
- Staff that fail screening receive a red “FAILED” screen with clear instructions on what the employee should do if they fail screening
- All failed screenings for communications staff automatically generate an email notification to the on-duty Superintendent and the Staff Support Centre for immediate follow up.
- Signage is in place to direct staff what to do if they fail screening
- The Staff Support Centre will monitor staff compliance of screening protocols
- Toronto Paramedic Services will notify Toronto Police of any positive cases while at 703 Don Mills
- A Voluntary Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) program has been implemented. A limited number of rapid tests are available to staff to utilize prior to attending work. Rapid tests are intended to be used to enhance the current preshift screening process. Additional information is available on the TPS Staff Blog (https://torontomedics.ca/today/29183/).
How we’re controlling the risk of transmission in our workplace
Physical distancing & separation
- Workstations adjacent to high traffic areas, like aisles & printers, have additional barriers added to a height of 6 feet to the workstation walls.
Masking
- Fit testing is maintained for all staff in the workplace based on available City-issued N95 mask supply
- N95 masks and/or surgical masks are available to staff upon request
- Although no longer mandatory, masking is strongly recommended during activities where staff are required to be in close proximity to each other for an extended period of time, e.g., when a Communications Training Officer and EMD are training at a single workstation/desk
- TPS staff who prefer to continue wearing a mask in the workplace will be supported in doing so, and masks will continue to be made available to all TPS staff members
Eye Protection
- TPS staff who prefer to use eye protection (e.g. face shield, goggles, or safety eye glasses) in the workplace will be supported in doing so, and eye protection will continue to be made available to all TPS staff members
Cleaning
- Facilities cleans washrooms, change rooms, kitchen, lounge and the 8th floor Ambulance Communications Centre as per normal procedures.
- CACC staff are provided with disinfectant products for cleaning their workstations.
- Staff are required to thoroughly clean their workstations at the beginning of their shift and as needed throughout their shift.
- If staff are not being relieved at end of shift, they are required to clean their workstation to leave it in a state of readiness in case of an unplanned operational need.
- Cleaning kits have been made available in areas where staff are expected to clean furniture or surfaces.
Hand Hygiene
- (4) wall-mounted hand sanitizers have been installed throughout the 8th floor Ambulance Communications Centre
Vaccination Planning
- The City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy became effective September 7, 2021, and requires all employees to be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021. Additional information is available on the TPS Staff Blog (https://torontomedics.ca/today/28108/), the intranet (http://insideto.toronto.ca/coronavirus/index.htm), or ELI (https://toronto.csod.com/).
What we will do if there is a potential case, or suspected exposure to, COVID-19 at our workplace
- Staff that are identified as a potential case or suspected exposure through the pre-shift screening, will not be cleared for work and are directed to:
- Don a mask
- Leave the building immediately
- Contact the Staff Support Centre immediately
- Any staff that become symptomatic while on duty will immediately be removed from the 703DM site and asked to contact the Staff Support Centre (SSC)
- The SSC will review the symptomatic employee’s situation and determine the appropriate course of action
- If required, the SSC will conduct contact tracing for that employee to identify other staff who may have been exposed
- If a staff member who has tested positive (PCR, RAT) has worked in the 703DM site within 48 hours of being notified, relevant work areas will be disinfected.
How we’re managing any new risks caused by the changes made to the way we operate our business
- As new risks become known, staff updates are provided outlining the extent of the risk and the measures being implemented
- The SSC is in daily contact with Toronto Public Health and collaboratively review recent exposures to determine areas of concern
- Toronto Public Health provides guidance and recommendations to Toronto Paramedic Services regarding mitigation measures
- On-going consultations with City of Toronto Ergonomist
- Enhanced measures have been implemented. These have included restriction to some facilities, and changes in practices to reduce staff risk
- On-going consultation and alignment with Toronto Police Communications regarding pandemic measures
How we’re making sure our plan is working
- Pandemic measures are continually being re-evaluated based on the latest guidance from Toronto Public Health, Public Health Ontario, the City of Toronto and the Ministry of Labour
- The SSC works closely with Toronto Public Health to review all exposures and identify circumstances that may have contributed to the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace
- If required, Toronto Public Health may provide specific recommendations to mitigate exposures
Revised COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan (v3.0)
HQ CACC June 23, 2022
2022-06-23 12:58:06
COVID-19 Safety Plan – snapshot
Business name: Toronto Paramedic Services
Division/group: Central Ambulance Communications Centre (CACC)
Date revised: June 23, 2022
Date reviewed: June 23, 2022
How we’re ensuring workers know how to keep themselves safe from exposure to COVID-19
- Staff updates summarizing the current situation and changes in measures are emailed on a regular basis to all Divisional staff.
- Supervisory staff are provided with regular messaging about measures in place so they can keep staff informed.
How we’re screening for COVID-19
- Toronto Paramedic Services requires all staff to complete an online Pre-Shift Screening tool within 2 hours prior to entering the CACC.
- The screening tool is based on the guidance provide by Public Health Ontario in conjunction with Toronto Public Health and the Medical Advisor for Toronto Paramedic Services and is accessible from a mobile device or on the iPads within the building screening stations.
- The CACC screening station is located in the north hallway to ensure all incoming staff have passed/cleared screening before entering the CACC.
- Staff that clear screening will receive a green “Cleared” screen.
- Staff that fail screening receive a red “FAILED” screen with clear instructions on what the employee should do if they fail screening.
- Signage and floor markings are in place to direct staff what to do if they fail screening
- All failed screenings for CACC staff automatically generate an email notification to the on duty CACC superintendent and the Staff Support Centre for immediate follow up.
- The Staff Support Centre will monitor staff compliance of screening protocols.
- A Voluntary Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) program has been implemented. A limited number of rapid tests are available to staff to utilize prior to attending work. Rapid tests are intended to be used to enhance the current preshift screening process. Additional information is available on the TPS Staff Blog (https://torontomedics.ca/today/29183/).
How we’re controlling the risk of transmission in our workplace
Physical distancing and separation
- Workstations adjacent to high traffic areas, like aisles & printers, have additional barriers added to a height of 2 meters to the workstation walls.
- Single seating tables have been physically distanced throughout the Atrium for staff as requested
Masking in CACC
- Fit testing is maintained for all staff in the workplace based on available City-issued N95 mask supply
- N95 masks and/or surgical masks are available to staff upon request
- Although no longer mandatory, masking is strongly recommended during activities where staff are required to be in close proximity to each other for an extended period of time, e.g., when a Communications Training Officer and EMD are training at a single workstation/desk
- TPS staff who prefer to continue wearing a mask in the workplace will be supported in doing so, and masks will continue to be made available to all TPS staff members
Eye Protection in CACC
- TPS staff who prefer to use eye protection (e.g. face shield, goggles, or safety eye glasses) in the workplace will be supported in doing so, and eye protection will continue to be made available to all TPS staff members
Cleaning
- Facilities cleans washrooms, change rooms, kitchen, lounge and the CACC as per normal procedures.
- CACC staff are provided with disinfectant products for cleaning their workstations.
- Staff are required to thoroughly clean their workstations at the beginning of their shift and as needed throughout their shift.
- If staff are not being relieved at end of shift, they are required to clean their workstation to leave it in a state of readiness in case of an unplanned operational need.
- Cleaning kits have been made available in areas where staff are expected to clean furniture or surfaces (lounge, kitchen, Atrium, Quiet Room).
Hand Hygiene - Wall mounted hand sanitizers have been installed throughout the CACC and common areas, including beside the multifunction (print, copy, fax, scan) printers in the CACC
- Wall mounted hand sanitizers have also been installed in the Atrium and at the screening stations
Vaccination Planning
- The City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy became effective September 7, 2021, and requires all employees to be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021. Additional information is available on the TPS Staff Blog (https://torontomedics.ca/today/28108/), the intranet (http://insideto.toronto.ca/coronavirus/index.htm), or ELI (https://toronto.csod.com/).
What we will do if there is a potential case, or suspected exposure to, COVID-19 at our workplace
- Staff that are identified as a potential case or suspected exposure through the pre-shift screening, will not be cleared for work and are directed to:
- Don a mask
- Leave the building immediately
- Contact the Staff Support Centre immediately
- Any staff that become symptomatic while on duty will immediately be removed from the CACC and asked to contact the Staff Support Centre (SSC).
- The SSC will review the symptomatic employee’s situation and determine the appropriate course of action.
- If required, the SSC will conduct contact tracing for that employee to identify other staff who may have been exposed.
- If a staff member who has tested positive (PCR, RAT) has worked in the CACC within 48 hours of being notified, relevant work areas will be disinfected.
How we’re managing any new risks caused by the changes made to the way we operate our business
- As new risks become known, staff updates are provided outlining the extent of the risk and the measures being implemented
- The SSC is in daily contact with Toronto Public Health and collaboratively review recent exposures to determine areas of concern
- Toronto Public Health provides guidance and recommendations to Toronto Paramedic Services regarding mitigation measures
- On-going consultations with City of Toronto Ergonomist
- Enhanced measures have been implemented. These have included restriction to some facilities, and changes in practices to reduce staff risk
How we’re making sure our plan is working
- Pandemic measures are continually being re-evaluated based on the latest guidance from Toronto Public Health, Public Health Ontario, the City of Toronto and the Ministry of Labour.
- The SSC works closely with Toronto Public Health to review all exposures and identify circumstances that may have contributed to the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace.
- If required, Toronto Public Health may provide specific recommendations to mitigate exposures.