COVID-19 will be with us for a while longer and as such we are providing you with a collection of resources to assist workers and workplaces in navigating the unique challenges that this disease/infection presents.
COVID-19
OCC-COVID Webinar Series
Science, Solutions and Success Stories
An ongoing series of webinars that present the current COVID situation and provide guidance and direction for dealing with it in our workplaces and public settings.
View resources from Previous Sessions
The following sections provide a wealth of resources related to a variety of COVID-related topics:
New Content Added January 13, 2023
COVID & Infectious Diseases Reference Team (CIRT) Slide Presentation
Overall Infectious Disease Updates, Vaccination Rates, General info on Covid, studies, use of face masks, ventilation, and more.
VIEW PDF:
COVID IS AIRBORNE
Is Your Class / Meeting Room Ventilation Adequate?
Use our Excel-based tool to determine the adequacy of the ventilation in your classroom
*Tool can also be used to evaluate single offices and small meeting rooms.
PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
for Homes and Workplaces Based on Public Health Fundamentals
IT’S IN THE AIR – What can you do to help stop the spread?
The following infographics are provided to help simplify the messaging around what can be done to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Post them in your home or workplace to help get the message out.
Practical Solutions
Based on Public Health Fundamentals for Homes and Workplaces
View related Practical Solutions web page
TRANSMISSION and EXPOSURE CONTROL
Regional Risk Tools and Tips
A colourful and engaging, interactive page that provide tools to determine your local infection risk and corresponding tips for COVID-10 prevention in non-healthcare workplaces.
COVID-19 Infections Rates in Different Regions of Ontario
An interactive graph available on the page
View the following resources to learn more about COVID-19 Transmission and Exposure Control:
There are over 20 resources related to this topic.
Use the pagination dots above to view all resources.
WORKPLACE RISK MANAGEMENT
Working During a Pandemic
As the risk for infection gets higher, for higher risk jobs, such as health care workers (HCW) working in close proximity to COVID19 patients; it is even more important that more emphasis be placed on increased ventilation.
The OHCOW Workplace COVID-19 Risk Management (Control Banding) Matrix infographic has adapted the OSHA Risk Levels into a control banding matrix to help support decisions on risk management.
This infographic is provided as a “communication and education tool”, to highlight that “higher order controls” are in fact much more effective than personal protective equipment and that the degree of infection protection control (IPC) should be commensurate with the level of risk.
It can be used along with OHCOW Regional Risk Tool and Tips which provides “additional practical advice” which in addition incorporates “community transmission” which should be considered in the occupational health risk assessment.
The US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has simplified the risk management process by assigning risk levels to different jobs and assigning controls based on the risk level which is described in more detail in:
Guidance on Hazard Recognition and Classifying Risk of Worker Exposure to SARS-COV-2
(OSHA, 2020)
The guidance provided by OSHA, for each risk level, has been aligned in the infographic with the hierarchy of controls (HOCs) to reinforce that higher order control (such as ventilation) are even more important when managing the risk of infection from an aerosol transmissible disease (SARS-COV-2).
Additional Resources on the topic of Workplace Risk Management include:
Use the pagination dots above to view all resources.
RESPIRATORS and PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
With the wide variety of masks, face shields and respirators available on the market today,
we are providing some resources to help you make an informed selection.
Use the pagination dots above to view all resources.
RESEARCH and SCIENCE
OHCOW has been working with various labour and academic partners using surveys to capture pandemic workers’ experience (in healthcare, essential workers, working from home, and educators). We have also been involved in demonstrating the science behind aerosol transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the measures need to protect workers and workplaces. We have also invited various experts and researchers to share their knowledge regarding the pandemic during numerous online and archived webinars.
Use the pagination dots above to view all resources
AGRICULTURAL WORK and COVID-19
Working Together to Communicate Important COVID-19 Prevention Information to the Ontario Agricultural Sector
COVID19 introduces serious and complex health and safety challenges for the arrival, isolation and work of temporary foreign workers in Ontario agriculture, particularly in regard to healthcare capacity, public and occupational health, and workplace communication and coordination for this disconnected population, made more vulnerable by high-density housing.
OHCOW Migrant Farm Worker Program (MFWP) staff continue to collaborate with employers, workers, partners and stakeholders and offer experience and support to contribute to frontline planning, preparedness and response.
Use the pagination dots above to view all resources
Visit our Migrant Farm Workers page for more details on this program
PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE and IMPACT
Pandemic Experience Surveys
OHCOW has conducted two surveys over the course of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Round two of the general workers survey is ongoing.
Share your pandemic work experience, by taking part in the survey using the survey buttons below:
Survey of HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic
OHCOW workplace stress experts, along with several academic and labour partners, have developed a survey to measure The Experiences of a Healthcare Worker During a Pandemic. It is based on a number of scientifically-recognized questions that measure different aspects of job-related psychosocial conditions, along with symptoms related to intense stressful conditions and mood disorders.
Survey of WORKERS’ Experiences
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Building on the success of the Healthcare Worker Pandemic Experience Survey*, OHCOW and its partners have now created and launched a more “generic” Survey of Workers’ Experiences During a Pandemic to recognize the impact that working during the COVID-19 pandemic is having on all workers in the province (country and world).
*which already has more than 3500 respondents
Survey Results
Watch the presentations that reveal the results of these two highly insightful surveys:
Use the pagination dots above to view all resources
WORKING FROM HOME
Given the new normal of businesses and government striving to maintain services while reinforcing critical physical distancing,
more and more Ontarians are working from home.
OHCOW ergonomists offer a few tips in the following documents on taking the time to set up a proper workstation
to improve health, safety, and even productivity, which is better for everyone.
ERGONOMIC RESOURCES
Our Office Ergonomics page as well as our Office Ergonomics Reference Guide also provide an abundance of information and guidance that will assist your when you are working from home.
If none of that helps, don’t hesitate to contact the OHCOW Clinic nearest you to set up a phone or virtual consultation.
Additional Resources
The following are Workplace Health Without Borders webinars hosted by OHCOW Hygienist, Dr. Kevin Hedges, in his role as International President.
From Our Partners, et al.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
COVID-19 Health and Safety Resources
POSTERS/INFOGRAPHICS
Take the Time to Wash Your Hands
Prevent the Spread of Infections
Controlling COVID-19 in the Workplace
Prevent the Spread
eCOURSES
Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers FREE!
FACTSHEETS
Coronavirus
Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Infectious Agents for Health Care Workers
Respirators – Respirators Versus Surgical Masks Versus Non-medical Masks
Good Hygiene Practices – Reducing the Spread of Infections and Viruses
Government of Ontario
WEB PAGES
Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan
Manufacturing health and safety during COVID-19
Agriculture health and safety during COVID-19
Food manufacturing and processing health and safety during COVID-19
Restaurant and food services health and safety during COVID-19
COVID-19: self-isolation and return to work
Meal and break periods at work during COVID-19
Construction site health and safety during COVID-19
AON
Home and Virtual Office Ergonomics
ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOUNDATION International (ESFi)
Electrical Safety While Working from Home
