Last weekend, WorkSafeBC Prevention staff inspected three Squamish employers for COVID-19-protocol compliance.
One of the inspections resulted in an order relating to a COVID-19 Safety Plan, a WorkSafeBC spokesperson told The Chief.
WorkSafeBC did not release the names of the businesses.
In November, WorkSafeBC ramped up inspections related to the pandemic in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Coastal Health regions in response to rising cases and tighter restrictions put in by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
At the time, the agency told CBC that it had 22 inspectors dedicated to the COVID-19-related inspections and was prioritizing places with the highest risk of transmission.
To date, WorkSafeBC has issued 1,667 COVID-related orders in the province.
"Following an inspection, prevention officers will issue an Inspection Report with orders to employers in cases where improvements to COVID-19 Safety Plans and protocols are required," the spokesperson said via email.
"In cases of continued non-compliance, other enforcement measures, such as citations, will be considered and may be applied as required."
All employers in B.C. are required to develop and implement 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. One Squamish employer did not have a written COVID-19 safety plan and therefore was cited an order under the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Asked why the inspections were done at the three Squamish businesses, the spokesperson said WorkSafeBC Prevention Officers may identify employers for inspection for several reasons: an anonymous call to the Prevention Information Line reporting a concern; a previously failed inspection; a COVID-19 outbreak at the employer or in the industry; information from Public Health or the regional health authorities; or information from Health and Safety Associations indicating that a particular industry is having challenges implementing its protocols.
Find out more about WorkSafeBC's role during the pandemic here.
