As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe workplace, including reducing your workers’ risk of contracting and spreading the COVID-19 illness. Current information on COVID-19 can found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website. The Government of BC has developed a Business Continuity Planning Checklist to help small businesses prepare staff and operations for potential business disruptions during the COVID-19 outbreak. For information about COVID-19, visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website for guidance on topics such as: Symptoms: The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold. Join us each Tuesday at 11am as we discuss tips and resources for navigating the COVID Economy. For more information, see Occupational Health and Safety Guideline G3.12. If you are hiring temporary foreign workers, review the Government of Canada’s. How it spreads: Coronavirus is transmitted via larger liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. Role of Businesses and Employers in Responding to COVID-19. Physical distancing and other preventative measures, Employment status, work sharing and temporary work. Employers are required to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan that outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures they have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Ensure that workers can raise safety concerns. TORONTO (NEWS 1130) — Half of small businesses in Canada have seen a further drop in sales amid the second wave of COVID-19, according to a new survey. Business COVID-19 Support Service will be operated by Small Business BC (SBBC), a non-profit organization that is well known and respected by the business community. WorkSafeBC has produced the following guides to assist with managing the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the workplace: For more resources, see our mental health FAQs. Employers must review their COVID-19 safety plan is consistent with WorkSafe BC guidelines, Daily health checks of employees must be performed, employees must not work if they did not pass or properly perform the daily health check, Employers must encourage workers to work from home if that is possible, and provide supports for this, businesses impacted by COVID-19. You may want to record the details of their other employment to help you assess any possible impact on their work and any steps you may need to take to mitigate potential risk. Governments and the private sector are providing a wide-range of supports for small businesses in British Columbia affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new information is available here: Canada expands 75% wage subsidy to COVID-19 affected businesses of all sizes. The Government of BC has developed a … Learn more about health and safety responsibilities when working from home. Once that occurs, a prevention officer will consult with workplace parties to determine whether there is an undue hazard and issue orders if necessary. Eliminate in-person team meetings or modify them to incorporate technology such as conference calling and online meetings. This handy document contains links to the most up-to-date information and resources. 550-555 W. 12th Ave at 1.888.621.SAFE). Consider what kind of work records you need to maintain, particularly if your temporary employees are also working elsewhere. This information sheet outlines the limitations of masks as a protective measure, and describes how to select and use different types of masks including cloth masks, surgical masks, and disposable respirators. A poll from Insights West finds 43 per cent of small businesses have closed their doors, and a further 27 per cent are operating, but are having difficulties. As part of B.C’s COVID-19 Action Plan, our provincial government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Support Service will be operated by Small Business BC and advisors are available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm (Pacific time) and Saturday from 10am to 4pm at 1-833-254-4357. Small businesses may consider some of the following advice or best practices at their worksite to reduce the risk of worker exposure to COVID-19. Small Business BC has information and resources available for small businesses, including applications for Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) and the B.C. Add signage about best practices for personal hygiene for customers who may interact with your workers. The BC Business COVID-19 Support Service, facilitated by Small Business BC, serves as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during COVID-19. COVID-19 & Business Research for British Columbia’s Small Businesses Note: This is a work in progress and intended to be a starting place for Canadian, and specifically BC, businesses to gather information. Overview of changes in effect Jan. 1, 2021, Consultation on permanent partial disability benefits, Consultation on retirement age determinations, Summary of provisions, Historical reports, Board of Directors’ decision on the consequential amendments, Board of Directors' decision on permanent partial disability benefits, Board of Directors' decision on retirement age determinations. Employers must also ensure they are abiding by any orders, notices, or guidance issued by the provincial health officer, and the appropriate health authority, that are relevant to their workplace. Business COVID-19 Support Service, operated by Small Business BC, is a one-stop shop for information on support for businesses available during COVID-19. If you have any questions, please contact: askus@smallbusinessbc.ca. New York-based nonprofit TruFund Financial Services Inc. is allocating loans and grants from Google to local small businesses looking to rebuild after the coronavirus … Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free, partially forgivable, loans of up to $60,000, to small businesses and not-for-profits, that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 but face ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages. Education & Events NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A large number of small shops, cafes and other business ventures in B.C. Employers may want to consider whether any of their workers can work remotely (i.e., work at home). Telephone: 1 800-667-2272. askus@smallbusinessbc.ca . To learn more, read Inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more. Workers and employers with questions or concerns about workplace exposure to COVID-19 can call WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Information Line at 604.276.3100 in the Lower Mainland (toll-free within B.C. Small and Medium businesses are vital to our provincial economy. If practicable, reconfigure the workplace to maintain appropriate distance between workers and customers. In addition to your regular new employee orientation, employers need to ensure adequate training is provided with regards to COVID-19 exposure risks and the prevention policies that you have in place. For COVID-19, an “undue hazard” would be one where a worker’s job role places them at increased risk of exposure and adequate controls are not in place to protect them from that exposure. Should this be practicable, be aware that many health and safety roles, rights, and responsibilities are just as applicable for at-home workers as they are for more traditional workplaces. Workers have the right to refuse work if they believe it presents an undue hazard. Visit our Small Business Help Center to learn more. How to support small businesses during COVID-19, How To Choose The Right Business Structure, Tuesday, April 13th 2021 Help SBBC Improve Our Services - You Could Win a BC Shop Local Gift Card, Start Smart 1: Basics of Starting a Business. See the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Learn more. About 60% of businesses that have closed during the coronavirus pandemic will never reopen, and restaurants have suffered the most, according to new data from Yelp. Fax: 604-775-5520 SBBC advisors are available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by phone, email and live chat. Content from health and safety associations and other parties is also subject to change and WorkSafeBC has not reviewed this material for the purpose of ensuring it is aligned with our guidance. It’s important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and employers should take measures to support mental well-being and health. We respectfully acknowledge our place of work is within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and that we serve the Peoples of the many Nations throughout British Columbia. As part of B.C’s COVID-19 Action Plan, our provincial government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. B.C. The BC Centre for Disease Control’s hand hygiene guidance recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) or soap and water to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Check with your local library regarding We are actively recruiting for individuals who have active certifications including: EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-P, LVN, LPN A typical day in the life of a Medcor COVID-19 Screener Train your staff on changes you’ve made to work policies, practices, and procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep records of that training. Enhance cleaning and disinfecting practices in high contact areas like door and cabinet handles, keyboards, and light switches. An undue hazard is an “unwarranted, inappropriate, excessive, or disproportionate” hazard. Download the Small Business support directory The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact. Employers must take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves, workers, and others at the workplace. This tool will guide... During the course of the current pandemic, public health experts advise that activities should be moved outdoors wherever possible. TruFund Receives $1M Grow With Google Small Business Fund Loan, $150K Google.org Grant To Help Small Businesses Recover From COVID-19 PR Newswire Mar 8, 2021 However, the BC Liberal critic for jobs, economic recovery, and innovation, Todd Stone, says that with only $65 million of the $300 million allocated for the program having been handed out since October, and the deadline for applications set for March 31, time is running out for struggling businesses. prepare. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Our primary concern is the health of all British Columbians, and we continue to work across government and with our federal counterparts to help people and businesses in B.C. Special thanks to the Academic Business Librarians of British Columbia, who have helped curate the information on this webpage. The program runs until March 31, 2021 … Please also visit and check our webpage with links to current information and relevant private sector articles on COVID-19 considerations for business. For more information from WorkSafeBC, please see: Every employer is required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace and implements measures to keep their workers safe. The Canadian Business Resilience Network Small Business BC has information and resources available for small businesses, including applications for Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) and the B.C. They are the heart of our communities and we care deeply about the challenges they are facing in this crisis. This poster illustrates the steps to follow to put on and take off a mask safely. Note: you can withdraw your consent at any time - for more information see our Privacy Policy or Contact Us for more details. Learn more. Employers with fewer than 9 employees must also have a way for workers to raise health and safety concerns at the workplace. Modify work processes and practices to encourage physical distancing, such as instructing workers to not greet one another or customers by shaking hands. Remind staff of effective personal hygiene practices. Contact Small Business BC with your business related questions. The Canada Centre of Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a number of resources that can be used by small businesses, including fact sheets and workplace posters outlining effective hygiene practices to help reduce the risk of exposure. Post Date: February 19, 2021 The B.C. Small businesses will now be able to receive up to 75 per cent in federal government funds in order to keep paying their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic – up from the previously announced 10 per cent subsidy plan. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources On March 13, 2020, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz, and Superintendent of Financial Institutions Jeremy Rudin outlined a coordinated package of measures to support the functioning of markets, the resilience of our financial sector, and continued access to financing for Canadian business… 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Support is available in several languages. Links to public health orders and guidance, Community social services (non-residential), Controlling the risk of COVID-19 transmission, Overview of changes in effect Jan. 1, 2021, Consultation on permanent partial disability benefits, Consultation on retirement age determinations, Board of Directors’ decision on the consequential amendments, Board of Directors' decision on permanent partial disability benefits, Board of Directors' decision on retirement age determinations, Create & manage a healthy & safe workplace, Search the OHS Regulation & related materials, Get health & safety resources (videos, posters, publications & more), orders, notices, or guidance issued by the provincial health officer, Reviewing and updating your COVID-19 safety plan: A guide for employers, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), health and safety responsibilities when working from home, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers Regarding COVID-19, Managing the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for employers, Addressing the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the workplace: A guide for workers, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Canada Centre of Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). You’ll be able to speak to a prevention officer to get answers to your questions, and if required, a prevention officer will be assigned to assess the health and safety risk at your workplace. 100% guaranteed loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow in response to COVID-19, available through your financial institution until June 30, 2021. TTY (Teletypewriter): 1-800-457-8466 Inquiries can also be emailed to covid@smallbusinessbc.ca, or raised on our live-chat feature available at covid.smallbusinessbc.ca. The COVID-19 global crisis has hit small businesses especially hard. We pleased to share our new Digital Meetups series. Prioritize the work that needs to occur at the workplace to help your business operate. This handy document contains links to the most up-to-date information and resources. Federal Paid Leave Questions: Ordinarily the rule is that Hourly employees are paid only for the time … Employers must provide and maintain adequate washroom facilities, as required by Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 4.85 . Small to medium sized businesses based in and registered in BC that employ less than 149 B.C. During a WorkSafeBC inspection, we will ask employers about the steps they have taken to protect their workers and to see their plan. Business COVID-19 Support Service, which serves as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic. What to do if you feel sick: If you have COVID-19, or think you might have it, you can follow steps to minimize its spread. Remove shared items where cross-contamination is possible (e.g., shared coffee and water stations and snack bins). If the matter is not resolved, the worker and the supervisor or employer must contact WorkSafeBC. Small Business BC advisors are ready to help Monday-Friday 9am-5pm at 1-833-254-4357, covid@smallbusinessbc.ca & live chat. An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses. Recovery Grant is available to small and medium sized businesses impacted by COVID-19. All SBBC services are now available remotely, and the office is closed, due to COVID-19.Small Business BC Before hiring temporary workers you should ensure they are not exhibiting signs of sickness and that they are not in violation of any mandatory self-isolation order either because they are waiting for COVID-19 related test results or because of travel activities. Phone: The B.C. To prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19, you must first understand the virus and how it spreads. Visit COVID-19 for the latest small business information. Detailed knowledge about COVID-19 and educating employees through sharing the updates provided by Medcor Clinical Affairs. Download the Business Continuity Checklist Small Business BC is B.C.’s key resource centre for comprehensive small business information and services. This may be through a worker representative in workplaces of 9 to 20 employees, or through a joint health and safety committee for workplaces of more than 20 employees. We’re dedicated to supporting your business through this difficult time by compiling answers to the most common COVID-19 questions and keeping you up to date on the latest relief measures from the federal government. Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) interest-free loans.