For those of us returning to campus this fall during the 4th wave, there is a real sense of uncertainty and unease surrounding COVID-19 protocols. The answers below were received this week from Health and Safety Officer Maureen Calhoun in response to our efforts to clarify how faculty, staff and students will be kept safe this semester.
Q Is there PPE equipment readily and continually available for faculty in labs or other close encounter environments such as Dental, Paramedic program, labs to ensure their health and safety?
A Per the Occupational H&S Act, if employers require workers to wear PPE they must provide it. To clarify however, this is specific to PPE and does not in turn require employers to provide masks/facial coverings that are not PPE requirement in particular environments.
Q Classrooms currently have a “COVID capacity number of persons” permitted noted on outside of classrooms – are these “COVID capacity numbers” still active? Our understanding from the Town Hall meeting was that class sizes are not limited nor is physical distancing a requirement. Can you confirm?
A These signs were to have been removed. They are no longer required under the revised regulation.
Q There is signage on the floors and around campus regarding physical distancing requirements – is this still a requirement and/or being monitored by security? There is also physical distancing signage available on ICE for posting regarding physical distancing requirements so there is some confusion. For example, in the classroom do students and faculty have to maintain 2 metres?
A Physical distancing should be in place where possible. It is somewhat challenging in hearing the revised regulation removes the distancing requirement for an instructional space while in other areas distancing is required. We do still monitor for congregating in areas and encourage individuals to maintain appropriate distance outside of the actual instructional space.
Q The mask information is posted on MyCampus for students – however, what is the process for faculty if a student does not have a proper mask (are there extra masks in classrooms?) or removes it during class and after being advised by faculty the requirement to wear it, the student does not comply? Should faculty contact security?
A Masks are required in all indoor spaces per the provincial guidelines. If a student fails to comply with this they should be reminded of this and if it continues then I would recommend this be handled in the same manner as any student issues where there is a failure to comply with collage protocols. Security is able to assist if required but one would hope this would not be necessary.
Q Has appropriate mask information been disseminated via email to all faculty – for instance, in one program meeting faculty had different types of masks including clear ones and one with vents. Of concern, is the video faculty are to watch from the email sent on Friday, September 3? In that video there appears to be contradictory advise on whether faculty should be medical or non-medical masks.
A I have made the recommendation to update the mask requirement to remove the early direction that masks needed to be “non-medical.” Now that supplies are readily available, many individuals choose to wear medical grade masks. The need for a medical grade mask (which is a min 3-ply, outer layers tightly woven cloth, middle a non-woven) with minimum 95% filtration capability. The terminology for these masks may reflect “medical grade, level 1, procedural – basically it is the 3-ply and filtration capabilities. In a situation where employees are not able to maintain 2m distancing, this level of mask should be worn in addition to eye protection. This requirement generally would be based on a risk assessment and we typically see this in laboratory environments or if a particular task requires 2 individuals to work in close proximity to each other (such as a facilities job).
Q Is there any eye protection eyewear available for faculty on-site? Where should they attend to obtain it?
A Safety glasses have been provided to all office areas. These may be requested through a service ticket if not available. Supervisors/managers should be able to coordinate these requests.
Q Are students permitted to drink or eat in the classroom – is faculty to direct them to not do so or advise them to leave?
A Students should not be permitted to eat or drink in a classroom. This expectation should be made clear.
Q The last question in the Pre-Screening COVID questionnaire asks – Have you taken a COVID test? Does this mean on that date? or ever? We are concerned about the wording which may cause confusion. Should the wording be changed to “Have you recently completed a COVID test where the results are still pending?”
A The dropdown response to this would be – is it negative and/or have you followed public health direction? This should eliminate any time frame confusion.
Q The video for faculty states that if a student advises faculty they are ill – faculty are to contact Maureen Calhoun – what happens if this occurs during teaching time? Should faculty if they are unable to reach Maureen contact administration in their school as an alternate?
A My cellphone number is my main contact point if the issue has some urgency. If illness occurs while on campus, the individual should leave and notify their supervisor and also ensure H&S (myself) is made aware.