WorkSafeBC launches new workplace health and safety awareness campaign amid pandemic

WorkSafeBC is launching a province-wide, multi-language campaign focused on several specific actions workers and employers need to take to keep workplaces safe from COVID-19.

“Our campaign is urging employers to revisit and update their COVID-19 safety plan as conditions change, and make sure it addresses risks in all areas of the workplace, including lunch rooms, hallways and meeting areas,” said Al Johnson, head of prevention services for WorkSafeBC. “For workers, our campaign is emphasizing the importance of understanding and abiding by their employer’s safety plan. This includes asking questions and sharing safety concerns with their employer, completing a daily health check with their employer before entering the workplace, and staying home when feeling sick.”

The awareness campaign – the third campaign for WorkSafeBC since the pandemic began – emphasizes that employers need to ensure COVID-19 safety remains a priority. The campaign is scheduled to start earlier this month and continue throughout 2021. It will include radio, television, digital, social media and signage.

“Advertising and messaging is an important tool for WorkSafeBC to reach workers and employers in B.C. about health and safety during the pandemic,” says Johnson. “The campaign will build on our ongoing consultation, education and enforcement efforts to continue to reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.”

WorkSafeBC’s consultation, education and enforcement efforts include:

• conducting 4,169 consultations, both virtually and in-person, with employers related to COVID-19
• responding to 28,087 enquiries from workers and employers about COVID-19 through its Prevention Information Line
• conducting more than 100 virtual town hall meetings with employer groups throughout the province on COVID-19 safety plans and sector-specific protocols
• creating more than 25 resources in multiple languages about COVID-19 prevention in the workplace, as well as a free COVID-19 safety plan app
• conducting 22,122 worksite inspections throughout the province related to COVID-19
• issuing a total of 1,667 orders to employers for COVID-related health and safety violations

Last month, WorkSafeBC released a guidebook to help employers prevent slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

Meanwhile, Ontario carried out workplace inspections in Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham in the penultimate weekend of January 2021 to ensure workers and customers are properly protected from COVID-19.