COVID-19 Workplace Information

• Workplaces are exempt from the restriction on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings. However, two-metre distancing between individuals should still be maintained. If this is not possible, other measures should be used, such as self-monitoring of personal health and supervision by Infection Prevention and Control or Occupational Health and Safety staff in the workplace.
• Operations may need to be altered or postponed to maintain distancing. Where this is not possible (i.e. for safety reasons, transport situations or production lines), staff should wash hands often and practise good coughing/sneezing etiquette (e.g. coughing into elbow).
• Besides customers, limit business-related visitors to essential services only. This may include tradespeople, pest control or compliance officers. Schedule visits to eliminate people gathering in reception areas.
• Customers should be encouraged to use credit or debit cards for payment. Limit contact by allowing customers to scan/tap/swipe their own cards.
• Employees who handle cash or credit cards should practise proper hand hygiene. When hands are not visibly soiled and between customer interactions, alcohol-based hand sanitizers approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number) can be used. Employees should wash their hands with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled, before and after any breaks, at the beginning and end of their shift, and before preparing food.
• Conduct business remotely (e.g. conference calls, video conferences, email), whenever possible.
• Limit the exchange of papers (e.g. signing contracts). If documents must be exchanged, leave them on a clean surface while maintaining a two-metre distance. Avoid sharing pens and office equipment. Disinfect after each use.
• In order to maintain physical distancing, elevator should contain no more than four people spaced two metres (or as far apart as possible, in each corner). Household groups are not required to distance and may use the elevator in groups larger than four if no other individuals are on the elevator at the same time.
• Escalators must be managed to maintain two metres between users.
• A response plan should be in place in case a patron or staff member develops COVID-19 symptoms while at the venue.
• Allow and encourage workers to work from home/remotely when they can.

• The COVID-19 virus can survive for several days on different surfaces. Frequent cleaning and disinfection is necessary.
• Commonly touched areas and shared equipment must be cleaned and disinfected at least twice daily, or when visibly soiled. These include light switches, door handles, toilets, taps, handrails, countertops, mobile devices and keyboards.
• Many chemicals used for COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting are classified under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015. Look for WHMIS hazard symbols on your products. Learn more about WHMIS 2015.
• Assign staff to dedicated work areas as much as possible. Discourage them from sharing phones, desks, offices and other tools and equipment.
• Clothing and fabric items should be laundered and dried on the highest temperature setting possible. Ensure items are thoroughly dried.
• Cleaning and sanitizing information for public facilities is available
• Employees should be provided access to tissues, no-touch trash receptacles, hand soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number), disinfectants and disposable towels.
• If PPE is required, there must be protocols for donning and doffing the equipment, as well as instructions for disposing of it. Additional COVID-19 PPE information is available.

• All workers must self-monitor for symptoms and use the self-assessment tool.
• Infection Prevention and Control or Occupational Health and Safety staff in the workplace can assist in monitoring employee symptoms and provide advice in line with the provincial public health order.
• Employers should have plans in place for increased worker absences due to illness or isolation.
• All businesses must have a workplace illness policy. If a policy does not currently exist or does not align with COVID-19 recommendations, the following should be included:
  • Sick employees must stay home or be sent home from work;
  • For employees housed in workplace accommodations (i.e. work camps), sick employees must be confined to their rooms until cleared for re-entry into the workforce;
  • Sick employees must use the Government of Saskatchewan's self-assessment tool for COVID-19 and follow the subsequent directions.
  • When employees go home sick, their work areas must be cleaned and disinfected.
• Practise physical distancing at work:
  • Remain two metres apart from others.
  • Avoid large crowds.
  • Avoid handshakes and any other physical contact with others.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Follow proper hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette:
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Scrub for 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada (DIN or NPN number).
  • Avoid touching your face, mouth, nose and eyes.
  • Cough/sneeze into the bend of your elbow and then wash your hands with soap and water.

Use of non-medical cloth masks or face coverings in workplace settings

• Non-medical masks or cloth face coverings are not considered personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment are based on risk assessments of specific environments and risk of exposure.
• There may be some non-healthcare work settings for which medical masks may be more appropriate than non-medical masks.
• Masks may not be suitable for all types of occupations. Employers should consult with their Occupational Health and Safety team and local public health before introducing mask-wearing policies to the workplace.

Fact Sheet – Use of non-medical masks or face coverings in community and workplace settings
Appropriate use of non-medical mask