Institution Safety Plan and Covid-19 Response Plan
Welcome.
The College ensures the health and safety of all staff, students and community by following the official guidelines set out by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia; local health and safety authorities.
In accordance with WorkSafe BC guidelines, the College has developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan. The plan is for all campuses: The plan applies to domestic and international students; faculty and staff; community and the public; and external contractors.
The guidelines / policies contained in this document and supporting resources are intended to ensure the same the phased return to campus operations, provide a comprehensive safety plan and a plan if there is identified illness. (see Sickness action plan: Covid-19 response plan)
The intent is to mitigate risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are an international student, interested in attending the College, please contact the College directly. We will advise you of our policies and procedures regarding enrolment, travel to Canada and your responsibilities, including quarantine requirements.
Together we can ensure everyone’s safety.
If you have questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact our office.
Call us
(604) 270-7426
Mail us
Visit us
540 – 4400 Hazelbridge Way
Richmond, BC, Canada
The institution has developed a Covid – 19 safety plan and has set in place polices and procedures which meet the four levels of planning, measures. policies and cleaning protocols: Protocols meet the expectations of the B.C Post Secondary COVID 19 Go-Forward Guidelines and the orders of the Provincial Health Officer, for all locations.
Safety planning framework
Institution Safety Directives
Covid-19 response plan (sickness action plan).
Level one
Maintaining physical distance at the workplace /campus.
Institutional management has worked with employees to set out onsite and offsite work plans. The intent is for staff to work off site or remotely when possible and minimize the number of people on campus. This plan requires:-
– Changes to work schedules
– Changes to how tasks are done
– Occupancy limits for workers
– Limiting or prohibiting visitors
– Reducing the number of visitors to only registered students, staff and approved visitors (by appointment only)
The College has “work from home” protocols in place.
Responsibility: All staff and onsite visitors/ students
Level Two
Where physical distancing is not possible, one-way directional traffic patterns with physical distancing markers have been established in hallways, corridors, and stairwells. If impractical for one-way traffic, counter-clockwise, two-way traffic with physical distancing markers, will be established.
The administrative area will be protected by having essential staff only and a physical barrier.
Responsibility: All staff and on site visitors/ students
Level Three
When planning to be on Campus, staff and students are required to adhere to the following requirements:
If not feeling well or if they have any symptoms associated with Covid 19 or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, the individual must not come to the campus. The individual must go directly to their accommodation and self isolate. They should contact the College by phone or email and they will be advised you what to do.
All staff, students, and visitors will be required to take a health self-assessment before entering the College. The self-assessment questionnaire can be found here:
https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/
Individuals will take the self-assessment at home. If any individuals respond “yes” to any of the questions, they should stay at home, as they will not be admitted into the College.
Only registered students and College staff are allowed on campus unless given prior approval by the College Director.
Campus protocols:
There will be a temperature check on arrival.
Individuals will be registered as being on campus.
All persons will apply the hand sanitizer provided at the front door; and as needed in other areas.
All persons will maintain at least 2 meters distance from others when possible on campus.
Individuals will wear an approved face mask if distances cannot be met.
Individuals will wear an approved face mask in the correct way when needed
All persons will comply with one way paths, selected seating and so on.
They will not enter closed off areas.
They will not physically share equipment or resources with others.
They will not loiter (hang out) at the College.
Kitchen / social rooms / some other areas will be off limits to students.
Communally used objects (e.g. coffee-makers, shared utensils/plates, microwaves) will not be available at this time.
Responsibility: All staff and on site visitors/ students
Level Four
Face coverings are to be used when physical distancing cannot be consistently
maintained or if preferred by the user.
If a face covering is required, practice the following mask etiquette:
Before putting on a mask, clean hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water; wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose.
Avoid touching the mask while using it. If you touch the mask, clean your hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water.
Remove the mask from behind. Do not touch the front of the mask. Discard it immediately in a closed bin and clean hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water.
Staff, faculty, and student users must supply their own face coverings unless required due to specific planned instances of close physical interaction due to instruction or work activities.
Responsibility: All staff and on site visitors/ students
Cleaning Protocols
Strict protocols on cleaning and disinfecting premises and other aspects of environmental health will be observed, using hard-surface disinfectants as approved by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Public spaces and communal areas shall be cleaned and disinfected multiple times per day, with emphasis on high touch surfaces, such as:-
• Light switches
• Computer keyboards and mouse
• Faucets
• Elevator buttons
• Door handles
• Copiers /Printers
• Phones
• Countertops/Desktops
• Equipment controls (i.e., Remote controls)
• Staircase handrails
• Armrests
• Keypads
• Kitchen appliances
• Resource equipment
• Filing cabinets
• Washrooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily, with more frequent cleaning of high-touch washroom surfaces (e.g. flush handles, faucets.) throughout the day.
Kitchen / social rooms will be locked and off limits to students.
Communally used objects (e.g. coffee-makers, shared utensils/plates, microwaves) will not be available at this time.
Responsibility: Cleaning contractors, allocated duties for staff during the day, all staff when needed.
Sickness action plan: Covid-19 response plan
COVID-19 symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. Learn what symptoms may include.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illnesses, but symptoms can sometimes suddenly worsen in a few days. People infected with COVID-19 can also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting a few days after the onset of the above symptoms.
If faculty, staff, or students develop symptoms while at the institution:
The symptomatic individual will be separated from others in a supervised area and direct the symptomatic individual to return to their place of residence.
Arrangements for transportation will coordinated if required.
The director will be informed and a report, including contact tracing will be made. As required, health authorities will be informed and directions taken.
If symptoms persist, the individual will be instructed to contact 8-1-1 or their local health care provider for further direction.
Staff responsible for facility cleaning will clean and disinfect the space where the individual was separated and any areas used by them (e.g., classroom, bathroom, common areas).
As required any other health reporting guidelines will be adhered to.
Directions / support:
If feeling unwell, it may be the case that they have a common cold or flu, rather than COVID-19. Regardless, if they have cough and flu-like symptoms, however mild, they should self-isolate and get tested.
While self-isolating, the individual should monitor daily for fever, cough and worsening symptoms and check your temperature each day (if possible). The BC self-assessment tool will help you assess your symptoms.
• The institution will provide further information on how long and how to self-isolate.
• If there are have worsening symptoms at any time OR the individual is not feeling better 5 or 6 days after they initially started feeling unwell, call 8-1-1, your family doctor, or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre.
• If at any time they they are feeling very unwell and are worried this might be an emergency (e.g. severe difficulty breathing or chest pain), call 9-1-1.
Reference: Modified from: Fraser Health self isolation information.
https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/coronavirus/self-isolation-information#.X4OEoGhKjcs
Keep in contact with the College and the College representative will contact you for updates and provide support