BUILDING DURHAM

From Templeman LLP:

Workplace Reopening Q&A

I am ready to recall my employees from layoff – how do I do that?

The process to recall employees from a layoff may be dictated by whether you are a unionized workplace or not. If unionized, the collective agreement will typically include an article that will set out how layoffs and recalls will function, including how notice is to be given and the order in which employees return, which is usually based on seniority.

If you are not a unionized workplace, the proper process to follow may depend on your specific circumstances and the process through which layoffs were first administered. In general, recalls should be done in writing and a specific date for the recall should be set. It is advisable to make sure that employees have reasonable prior notice of the recall date. Employers may be expected to return an employee to the position he or she last held prior to the layoff, and any changes necessitated by changed circumstances should be communicated.

Under what circumstances can an employee refuse to return to work, and how do I respond?

There are several circumstances in which an employee may validly refuse to return to work. If the employee has specific concerns related to the health and safety of the workplace, and he or she is not part of a special class of excluded employees, the employee may engage in a work refusal under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) when the employee has reason to believe that he or she, or in some cases another worker, is likely to be endangered by:

• any equipment, machine, device or thing that the employee is to use or operate;
• the physical condition of the workplace or part of the workplace in which the employee works;
• workplace violence; or
• or the use of any equipment, machine, device or thing in a way that contravenes the Act.

In the case of COVID-19, complaints would likely be grounded in the second point, the “condition of the workplace”.

If an employee refuses to return to or perform work citing unsafe working conditions, employers will be expected to follow the OHSA work refusal process, which includes investigating the refusal and advising the Ministry of Labour if the investigation and any remedial steps taken do not resolve the issue.

Employees may also decline to return to work if they meet the criteria for a leave of absence under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). It is important to remember that the special emergency leave related to COVID-19 remains in effect for employees impacted by COVID-19 in a variety of ways, including if they cannot return to work due to childcare obligations.

Employees may also be justified in refusing to return if they have special circumstances such that insisting on their return to work could amount to a human rights violation. While employers should adopt a return to work policy or procedure and strive to apply it evenly and fairly across their workforce, individual refusals to report to work must be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Will my employees remain eligible for the CERB if they resume work?

An employee does not need to remain on layoff to access the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), provided they meet the established eligibility criteria. However, an employee may be ineligible if he or she earns more than $1,000 in a CERB eligibility period. If an employee is recalled during the first four-week period he or she applies for the CERB, the employee would be required to pay back the $2,000 benefit if he or she earns more than $1,000 for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period claimed. If the employee is recalled during a subsequent period, he or she cannot have earned more than $1,000 for the entire four-week benefit period. The $1,000 income threshold includes employment and self-employment income, and encompasses tips, non-eligible dividends, honoraria, and royalties earned during the benefit period.

If employees are approaching you with questions about how a recall will impact CERB entitlement, it is generally best for you, as their employer, to decline from giving advice that may have financial and tax consequences for the employee. Employees should obtain that guidance from the CRA or their own financial or legal advisors.

For more on the CERB eligibility and income requirements, see:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application/questions.html

If I am not in a position to recall my employees, how long can I keep employees on layoff?

Assuming that layoffs were validly implemented to begin with, further to a preexisting agreement between the parties or with the consent of the employee, a temporary layoff under the ESA is capped at 13 weeks in any consecutive 20-week period. Note that this does not require the layoff to last for 13 consecutive weeks. This may have implications if you are planning on recalling employees for a short period and then returning them to layoff.

Where certain criteria set out in the ESA are satisfied, such as continuing employee benefits, that period can be up to 35 weeks in a 52-week period.

After the period of a temporary layoff has ended, the employee is deemed to have been terminated under the ESA which may trigger termination pay obligations for you.

Layoffs that were not validly implemented pursuant to an employment contract or collective agreement may also lead to additional liabilities such as constructive dismissal claims.

Interestingly, British Columbia has recently passed legislation to extend the 13-week threshold to 16 weeks for layoffs relating to COVID-19, if the employee agrees. Ontario has not yet indicated whether it will take similar steps.

I’ve heard that the Ministry of Labour is stepping up inspections. How do I ensure that I am compliant with current workplace health and safety requirements?

At a minimum, employers should continue to follow public health advice and ensure that any reopening or relaxing of restrictions are consistent with the Government’s current emergency orders under the Emergency Management and Civil Protections Act. The Government has also now published over 90 sector-specific health and safety guidelines and workplace information posters. Employers should review and implement these guidelines as applicable, and would also be well served to display the posters and other health and safety association publications where appropriate.

The guidelines and other association resources can be accessed through:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/resources-prevent-covid-19-workplace

As the economic reopening stages progress, employers should continue to regularly consult Ontario’s centralized information site, https://covid-19.ontario.ca/, for updates and may wish to consult with industry or trade associations and with legal counsel for further direction.

While the public health risks persist, employers should position themselves to raise due diligence defences by tracking and complying with public health guidance.

Are there certain policies or procedures that should be in place before I begin bringing people back into the workplace?

The answer to this question is going to be very contextual and specific to your workplace.

As a starting point, employers should consider updating existing workplace health and safety policies to include policies and procedures specific to infectious disease.

It is also advisable to consider whether policies relating to sick time, reporting sickness, and/or the requirement for medical notes need to be revised. As indicated in previous Handouts from the Templeman Labour & Employment group, employers have to balance their obligation to safeguard the health and safety of their workforce with the general duty to safeguard the confidential medical information of employees. If you do not have a procedure that directs employees on the confidential reporting of health concerns, and/or a sickness or accommodation policy that deals with how you approach time off work when an employee is ill, adopting such policies could assist management in dealing with any issues that arise.

Employers may also see an increase in workplace harassment and discrimination complaints, as employees take issue with management requiring them to return to work or prompting them to do work that they don’t want to do. Under the OHSA, employers are required to have a policy on workplace harassment. Employers should ensure such policies are in place, and confirm that they include a procedure for dealing with complaints.

In a unionized workplace, an employer may have an obligation to consult with the union and/or a joint health and safety committee before introducing or amending policies. In the non-union context, employers should ensure that any updates and changes are clearly communicated to and acknowledged by employees.

Will I be liable if I recall an employee and he or she contracts COVID-19 in the workplace?

If you are an employer who is required to or who has opted into providing WSIB coverage, the WSIB has confirmed that it considers COVID-19 a compensable occupational disease, where applicable criteria are satisfied. What this means is that, in general, an employee will have a right to claim WSIB in relation to his or her illness, in lieu of a claim or right of action against his or her employer.

The WSIB has released a document clarifying how COVID-19 specific claims will be approached. Each claim will be determined on a case by case basis, and decision-makers will consider whether:

1. the nature of the worker’s employment created a risk of contracting the disease to which the public at large is not normally exposed; and

2. the WSIB is satisfied that the worker’s COVID-19 condition has been confirmed.

If these considerations are satisfied, the WSIB has indicated that they will constitute persuasive evidence that the worker’s employment made a significant contribution to the worker’s illness.

For more on WSIB claims, see:

https://www.wsib.ca/sites/default/files/2020-03/adjudicativeapproachnovelcoronavirus.pdf

We continue to encourage employers to actively monitor their workplaces and to follow pubic health and governmental directions to the greatest extend possible to minimize the risk of a health and safety liabilities. What this looks like will be different for every workplace, but before reopening employers should think through the details of physical distancing, sanitation measures, and whether any PPE is required for employees, so that those considerations have been addressed and the proper equipment is in place before people return.

RESOURCES

For up to date information, the following resources may be of use:

Government of Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Government of Ontario

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/

https://news.ontario.ca/newsroom/en

Ontario Hospital Association

https://www.oha.com/news/updates-on-the-novel-coronavirus

This summary does not constitute legal advice. Please feel free to contact your Templeman LLP lawyer with respect to specific plans for your workplace.

From the Ministry of Transportation:

Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 outlined the first steps in our government's immediate response to the current crisis.  It includes health care resources and provides immediate relief with support for people and jobs.

While the number one priority remains the health and well being of all people, we also need to be prepared once the state of emergency is lifted to responsibly reopen the economy.

For the next phase of Ontario's Action Plan, we need to develop a recovery plan with the same thoughtfulness as our crisis response so that we are doing everything we can to stimulate economic growth and job creation, while continuing to protect people.

Please find below a link to a survey.  The purpose of the survey is to understand the impacts of COVID-19 to your organization to date, recovery measures, planning, and transportation opportunities.  Recovery planning is moving quickly and we would like to gather this information as soon as possible.  Your participation in the survey and response by Tuesday, May 26 would be greatly appreciated.

Survey

If you have any questions, please email the project team at ProvincialPlanningOffice@ontario.ca.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced on May 15, 2020 that the Government of Canada will extend the CEWS by an additional 12 weeks to August 29, 2020. Extending the program will give workers greater confidence that they will continue to get the support they need during these difficult times. The Government will consult with key business and labour representatives over the next month on potential adjustments to the program to incent jobs and growth, including the 30 per cent revenue decline threshold. Any potential changes following the consultation will have as key objectives to maximize employment, ensure the CEWS reflects the immediate needs of businesses, and support the post-crisis economic recovery.

The Government has made regulatory changes to prescribe certain types of organizations in order to extend eligibility for the CEWS to additional groups. The prescribed organizations described below may now begin applying for the CEWS, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.

View full press release

The Durham Region Home Builders' Association (DRHBA) and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) applaud the Government of Ontario’s decision permit all construction activities under the COVID-19 Emergency Orders. The reactivation of construction activities will allow the industry to meet the housing, commercial building and renovation needs of Durham Region and Ontario.

“We are still focused on the safety of jobsites, workers and clients.  Getting our industry safety back to work means we can get back to providing the housing supply and choice our community needs, from renovations to new home builds to adding new commercial workspace in Durham Region,” said Johnathan Schickedanz, president of DRHBA.

Today’s decision allows for the full resumption of residential and non-residential construction and planned renovations on Tuesday May 19, 2020 including the restrictions on new home renovations.

As always, the industry will ensure that work is carried out in compliance with the Ministry of Labour’s Guidelines for Construction Site Health and Safety during COVID-19.  DRHBA and OHBA continues to support the critical role enforcement role of the Ministry of Labour inspectors.  The industry continues to support closing any jobsite that does not meet or exceed these requirements

“We all want safe jobsites.  The health and safety of colleagues, employees, tradespeople and clients continues to be the industry’s number one priority as the industry continues to make enhancements to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols,” said Joe Vaccaro, CEO, OHBA. “The provincial government continues to take a measured approach in response to this crisis.  The reactivation of construction and renovations for both residential and non-residential means the industry can work through the short Canadian construction season and deliver the keys to businesses waiting for their new work spaces and thousands of families waiting for the keys to their new or renovated homes.“

Resources:

News Release:  https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/ontario-announces-additional-workplaces-that-can-reopen.html  

Full document: https://files.ontario.ca/mof-framework-reopening-province-stage-1-en-2020-05-14.pdf?_ga=2.69189778.2006177927.1589477797-500872388.1575643750

Sector Specific workplace guidelines: https://www.ontario.ca/page/resources-prevent-covid-19-workplace?_ga=2.81257492.2006177927.1589477797-500872388.1575643750

Workplace PPE supply directory - https://covid-19.ontario.ca/how-your-organization-can-help-fight-coronavirus/#find-ppe

The City of Oshawa is undertaking a public consultation to obtain input on whether the City should pass by-laws under the Municipal Act, 2001 to control nuisance dust and dirt on roads and properties in Oshawa due to construction and development projects.

At its June 25, 2018, City Council considered report DS-18-127 “Dust Control Related to New Development” which identified a potential need to further control dust and mud primarily caused by site alteration in new development areas, beginning with the stripping or filling of the development site. Accordingly, City Council directed staff to undertake a public and industry consultation process to obtain feedback on whether the City should approve by-laws to control dust and mud associated with construction and development on roads and properties adjacent to the development. 

Examples of such by-laws are appended in the following attachments in report DS-18-127 “Dust Control Related to New Development”:

• ·         Attachment 3 – Road Fouling By-law
• ·         Attachment 5 – Nuisance Dust Control By-law

Feedback will be considered in a report at a future meeting of City Council.

You can provide your feedback directly to Michelle Whitbread (mwhitbread@oshawa.ca) or Ken Man (kman@oshawa.ca).

You can also provide feedback to Stacey (s.hawkins@drhba.com) for consideration for DRHBA's feedback letter.

Durham – May 8th, 2020 - The Durham Region Home Builders' Association (DRHBA) is excited to announce the winners of their 2020 Awards of Excellence.

These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in new homes, home renovations, innovative technology and construction, outstanding presentation and marketing of projects within Durham Region.

Due to the pandemic, DRHBA was not able to host its annual gala as normal, but still wanted to highlight the great work our members are doing in the community.  So this year, DRHBA took their Awards ceremony online.  The show went live on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. and everyone was able to tune in from home to watch.  Less than 24 hours after the show went live, it's been viewed almost 2,000 times! Watch the Awards here.

This year, members set a record for the number of nominations submitted and the competition was very fierce.  Judges from across Canada scored all of the entries and produced this year's winners.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

This year's winners include:

Excellence in Digital Marketing

Marshall Homes – HERE

Excellence in Logo Design

Marshall Homes – HERE

Excellence in Print Ad / Direct Mail Piece

Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows

Excellence in Sales Brochure Design

Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows

Excellence in Signage

Holland Homes Inc. – Liberty Street

Excellence in Interior Decorating – Model Homes/Suite

Brookfield Residential – New Seaton, Dunbarton

Excellence in New Homes Sales Office – Small Volume

Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours and Concepts Inc. – Courts of Canterbury

Excellence in New Homes Sales Office – Large Volume

Great Gulf – Whitby Meadows

Excellence in Bathroom Renovation

Paradisaic Building Group – Publow Bathroom

Excellence in Kitchen Renovation

Accubuilt Construction Ltd. – Goodwood Kitchen

Excellence in Room Renovation

Trademark Homes – The 360

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition ($100,001 to $250,000)

Trademark Homes – The 360

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition ($250,001 to $500,000)

Trademark Homes – Modern Farmhouse Oasis

Excellence in Home Renovation/Addition ($500,001 and up)

Accubuilt Construction – Goodwood Renovation

Excellence in Landscape Project

Accubuilt Construction – Swiss Heights

Excellence in Custom Built Bathroom Design

Trademark Homes – Country Gem

Excellence in Custom Built Kitchen Design

DeSousa Homes Inc. – Brawley Kitchen

Excellence in Custom Built Home (under 2500 sq. ft.)

Andelwood Homes – Odlum

Excellence in Custom Built Home (2501-3500 sq. ft.)

Jeffery Homes – The Zylstra Residence

Excellence in Custom Built Home (3501-4500 sq. ft.)

Trademark Homes – Country Gem

Excellence in Custom Built Home (4500 sq. ft. and up)

DeSousa Homes – Brawley Custom

Excellence in Back to Back Townhome

Minto Communities with credit to RN Design Limited – Windsor Corner, Ivy Ridge

Excellence in Semi-Detached or Townhome under 2000 sq. ft.

Delpark Homes with credit to Cassidy & Co. Architectural Technologists – Kingsbridge 7

Excellence in Semi-Detached or Townhome over 2000 sq. ft.

RN Design  Limited – Whitby Meadows

Excellence in Mid-Rise Building Design (4 to 6 Storeys)

Holland Homes Inc. – 976 Simcoe Street

Excellence in High-Rise Building Design (7 Storeys and Up)

Tribute Communities – UC Tower

Excellence in Production Built Bathroom Design

Trademark Homes – Sunset Heights

Excellence in Production Built Kitchen Design

Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours and Concepts Inc. – The Cavendish

Excellence in Single (under 2000 sq. ft.)

Geranium with credit to RN Design Limited and Colours and Concepts Inc.– The Cavendish

Excellence in Single (2001-3000 sq. ft.)

Minto Communities Ontario – RN Design Limited – Winchester, Ivy Ridge

Excellence in Single (3001-4000 sq. ft)

Minto Communities Ontario – RN Design Limited – Winchester, Ivy Ridge

Excellence in Single (4001 sq. ft. and over)

Marshall Homes – HERE Flexhouz

Excellence in Social Media

FarSight Homes

Excellence in Training and Development

Cassidy & Co. Architectural Technologist

Excellence in Website Design

Tribute Communities – UC Tower

Excellence in Workplace Safety

FarSight Homes

Trade of the Year

The Fireside Group Inc.

Supplier of the Year

Reliance Home Comfort

Renovator of the Year

Accubuilt Construction Ltd.

Prestige Awards:

Corporate Citizenship

Minto Communities Ontario

Community of the Year

Podium Developments – Ironwood in North Oshawa

Builder of the Year – Small Volume

Holland Homes Inc.

Builder of the Year – Large Volume

Great Gulf

The Durham Region Home Builders' Association is a non-profit association composed of home builders, renovators, trade contractors, suppliers and related professionals.  They have been an active voice for the residential construction industry in Durham Region for 65 years.  For more information, visit www.drhba.com.

For more information contact Katelyn Widdop at 905-579-8080 ext. 1 or k.widdop@drhba.com.

OHBA/BILD/RESCON obtained a legal opinion from Leo Longo at Aird & Berlis LLP to provide some guidance and clarity regarding what construction activities are permitted under new residential regulations posted on Monday (82/20) and earlier today (200/20).

Please review the legal opinion and Attachment A that outlines the related construction activities connected to the Regulation 30.1 that now permits construction to prepare a site for residential development including excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure. 

This industry legal opinion should assist members in determining what construction activities are permissible under the new regulations and should help to confirm those activities when in discussion with your local municipal building officials.

As always, industry members should consult with their local building departments, own legal counsel, and any additional professionals before proceeding under the current state of emergency regulations, and always document and prepare to defend their decision to continue construction activities as the penalties under the State of Emergency are significant.

View/Download Legal Opinion

The Durham Region Home Builders' Association and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) welcome the Government of Ontario’s decision today to expand the list of allowable construction activities under the COVID-19 Emergency Orders. The resumption of more normal construction activities will allow the industry to meet the housing needs of the Durham Region and Ontario.  

“Building new homes and communities is a long complicated process and requires different construction activities over a number of seasons,” said Johnathan Schickedanz, president of DRHBA. “Losing the entire construction season for site servicing would be setting our local housing supply back, and risk the homes that our clients are looking to move into next year.  Under the new provincial guidelines, we will continue to deliver homes safely today and in the future. “

Today’s decision to resume earthworks or site grading makes sense as every operator is in their own machine, therefore ensuring physical distancing.  Site grading is vital to every construction site as it must be completed before all other construction activity can start.

In addition, the decision allows for site and land-servicing projects to commence or continue new residential, industrial, commercial and institutional developments. Underground servicing, the installation of storm water controls, water pipes, sanitary sewer pipes, road construction, including curbs and sidewalk, landscape works, trails, parks and utilities (telecommunications, water, gas, electricity, etc.) are necessary for the activation of new homes and eventual occupancy.

Work must be carried out in compliance with the Ministry of Labour’s Guidelines for Construction site Health and Safety during COVID-19 and the industry supports shuttering any site that does not meet these necessary requirements.

“We all want safe jobsites,” said Joe Vaccaro, OHBA CEO. “Adding these new construction activities along with new provincial COVID-19 health and safety guidelines means members will continue to focus on worker safety while delivering keys to the thousands of families waiting for their homes to be completed. We can keep each other safe while delivering housing supply across Ontario.”

Steady Decrease in COVID-19 Cases Required Before Beginning Next Stage of Reopening

TORONTO ― The Ontario government is allowing certain businesses and workplaces to reopen as long as they comply with strict public health measures and operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Those permitted to start up include seasonal businesses and some essential construction projects.

Today's announcement was made by Premier Doug Ford, Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has provided general recommendations on how the openings of businesses and workplaces could be implemented to support safe operations, including strict adherence to health and safety requirements.

"We are allowing certain businesses to reopen under strict guidelines because we are confident they can operate safely and adapt to the current environment," said Premier Ford. "While further reductions in the spread are needed before we can begin reopening the province, we have the right framework and the right workplace guidelines in place to do so gradually and safely." 

The government, in partnership with Ontario's health and safety associations, has developed more than 60 guidelines in response to COVID-19. These sector-specific measures will help employers prepare their workplaces so they can be reopened safely and ensure workers, customers and the general public are protected.

By following the proper health and safety guidelines these businesses will be permitted to begin operations on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.:

• Garden centres and nurseries with curbside pick-up and delivery only;
• Lawn care and landscaping;
• Additional essential construction projects that include:
• • shipping and logistics;
  • broadband, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure;
  • any other project that supports the improved delivery of goods and services;
  • municipal projects;
  • colleges and universities;
  • child care centres;
  • schools; and
  • site preparation, excavation, and servicing for institutional, commercial, industrial and residential development;
• Automatic and self-serve car washes;
• Auto dealerships, open by appointment only;
• Golf courses may prepare their courses for the upcoming season, but not open to the public; and
• Marinas may also begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and w atercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed.

"Ontario workers and businesses have shown exemplary cooperation and resilience throughout the course of this crisis," said Minister Fedeli. "We're beginning to ease restrictions on select businesses as we carefully and methodically re-open Ontario's economy and continue together on our path to renewed prosperity."

Although certain businesses are being permitted to reopen, it is critical that people continue to stay home, practise physical distancing and only go out for essential reasons, to pick up groceries, prescriptions or to keep a medical appointment. It is through these simple actions that Ontario is making progress to stop the spread of COVID-19.  

"As we begin planning for the next phase of our fight against COVID-19, Ontarians should continue to stay home as much as possible to ensure we stop as quickly as possible the spread of this virus," said Minister Elliott. "While we have made tremendous progress in our shared battle against this new virus, we are not done yet. We need to keep up the fight by continuing to practise physical distancing and good hygiene habits."

On April 27, the government released A Framework for Reopening our Province, which outlines the criteria Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts are using to advise the government on the loosening of emergency measures, as well as guiding principles for the safe, gradual reopening of businesses, services and public spaces.

While the government remains in Phase One of Ontario's Action Plan in response to COVID-19, Protect and Support, allowing certain businesses and workplaces to open under strict guidelines demonstrates the government's commitment to balance the needs of the economy with the health and safety of the people of Ontario.

"People's efforts are paying off and we can see a light at the end of the tunnel," said Minister Phillips. "Our response has always been based on the current status of the outbreak in our province, and on what makes sense for Ontario. To be clear ― we haven't moved into the reopening phase of our response to COVID-19. Not yet. But based on the best public health advice available to us, we are a step closer."

TORONTO ― The Ontario government is ensuring employers have the safety guidelines they need to protect workers, customers, and the general public from COVID-19 as it prepares for a gradual reopening of the provincial economy.

The government safety guidelines released today will provide direction to those working in manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, restaurant and food service, and the agricultural sector. These measures build on more than 60 guidelines developed by Ontario's health and safety associations in response to COVID-19 for various sectors such as retail, health care, construction, transportation, police services, firefighters, and transit employees. 

"We all want to reopen our businesses, services and favourite places across the province, but we must do it in a safe and responsible way," said Premier Ford. "That's why we are providing clear guidelines to employers, with practical measures to help them keep staff and customers safe while preventing the spread of COVID-19. By taking these steps, we will be prepared to get people back to work when the time is right."

These new sector-specific guidelines feature recommended actions employers can begin to plan for as they prepare to adapt to the new reality during COVID-19, including:

• Ways to ensure appropriate physical distancing, like eliminating pay-at-the-door options, holding team meetings outdoors, staggering shift times and using ground markings and barriers to manage traffic flow.
• Changes to the workplace, like installing plexiglass barriers, increasing the air intake on building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to increase air flow, and using boot sanitizing trays.
• Promoting proper workplace sanitation, providing personal protective equipment, substituting dry dusting with vacuuming, ensuring customer-facing staff are given hand sanitizer, providing a place to dispose of sanitizing wipes, and enforcing handwashing before and after breaks.

The government is also issuing posters to promote a variety of useful safety tips. The posters offer helpful advice on physical distancing and sanitation. They are downloadable from the Ontario.ca website so employers can print and post them in their workplaces.

"We are truly in extraordinary times and employers and employees are facing situations they have never had to deal with before," said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. "It is incumbent on our government, with the advice of health officials, to provide the guidance and tips outlining the safest ways to reopen workplaces and help prevent the spread."

The government will work with Ontario's health and safety associations to bring forward additional workplace safety guidelines for more sectors in the coming days and weeks.

Starting this week, 58 new inspectors will join the hundreds of existing provincial labour inspectors on the ground. The inspectors, which include workers from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), will be tasked with communicating COVID-19 safety guidelines to essential workplaces or enforcing emergency measures, including physical distancing and the closure of non-essential businesses.

"Protecting the health and well-being of Ontarians during the COVID-19 outbreak has been and will always be our government's number one priority," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "These guidelines will help employers begin to plan for their safe reopening based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and in alignment with our framework to ease public health measures and restart our economy. In doing so, we can ensure we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep workers safe."

"Our province's businesses have made great efforts to protect the health and safety of their workers throughout the course of this pandemic," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "These new guidelines will help employers continue to protect their staff and customers as we begin to carefully and methodically re-open our economy, so that we can return Ontario to prosperity in the safest way possible."

The government is committed to a careful, stage-by-stage approach to loosening emergency measures and reopening Ontario's economy. Public health and workplace safety will remain the top priority, while balancing the needs of people and businesses.