New guidelines for B.C. miners, manufacturers, during COVID-19

The B.C. government and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are taking unprecedented measures to prevent the transmission of COVID 19.

Henry recently issued an order under the Public Health Act prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people.

Employers within the manufacturing sector and mining/smelting industries were given some clarity on what this means for their daily business.

Henry advised manufacturing industry employers that:

• There should be no more than 50 people in the same space, regardless of circumstance
• Employees must be able to maintain a distance of two metres apart from each other
• In-person meetings and gatherings should be reduced and held outdoors or in open spaces

Employers for mining and smelting operations are expected to:

• Reduce the number of on-site personal when feasible
• Divide daily pre-shift meetings of more than 50 people into smaller groups
• Have no more than 50 people in any shared space, including common areas such as bunkhouses and cafeterias.
• Encourage a distance of two metres between individuals both during and outside of work hours
• Limit elevators to four people at a time.

Both mining and smelting operations and manufacturers should:

• Clean all common areas and surfaces as needed, and at the end of each day
• Provide handwashing stations
• Maintain a list of workers, updating it daily

Additionally, anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms including sore throat, fever, sneezing or coughing must self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days.

Employers should reassess work environments daily and are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest information.