WorkSafeBC launching awareness campaign on workplace health and safety

WORKSAFEBC announced on Thursday that it is launching a new awareness campaign as part of its continuing efforts to support workplace health and safety during the pandemic. The province-wide, multi-language campaign focuses 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,” says 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 — which is 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 this week 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.” 

The organization’s consultation, education and enforcement efforts include:

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

WorkSafeBC is continuing to build, enhance, and update tools and resources to support outreach efforts, including a series of short animated videos that build on risk assessments in workplaces, and posters and signage in multiple languages that employers can download to use in their workplace to inform workers about the measures they have in place.Up-to-date COVID-19 information and resources is available online at: www.worksafebc.com.

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