With the mandatory mask order firmly in place, employers in British Columbia need to remain aware of and prepared to enforce the use of masks and face coverings in their workplaces. It is the employer’s responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy workplace for employees, customers and clients.
To help with the enforcement of the mandatory mask rule, WorkSafeBC created several posters for employers to post in their workplaces that outline the specifics of how, where and when to wear a mask.
These posters should be posted at entry points to a business and in other conspicuous areas to inform anyone entering the place of business what the expectations are surrounding mask use. They also show people how to properly wear a non-medical mask.
PolicyPro Human Resources British Columbia edition makes it easy for employers to access these posters and push them out to their employees through the Postings tab in the PolicyPro online platform.
There are also exemptions to the mask rules that employers need to be aware of. A poster outlining these exemptions is available from BC’s Human Rights Commissioner and, using PolicyPro, can be easily distributed online to each employee’s account. The exemptions include:
- Those under 12 years old do not need to wear a mask.
- Individuals with health conditions or physical or mental impairments are not required to wear a mask.
- Individuals who are unable to put on or a remove a mask without help are not required to wear a mask.
Employers must also be aware that if individuals claim that they fall under a category of exemption, they must be taken at their word. Proof should not be required from them. It’s important to note that businesses will not be fined for allowing people without masks to enter their place of business.
It is essential to a safe workplace that employers have a non-medical mask and face covering policy in place. Such a policy, which also includes the relevant posters, is available in the Emergency Preparedness section of British Columbia PolicyPro, along with 12 other emergency preparedness policies that include essential COVID-19 information.
Learn how PolicyPro can help you manage, distribute and get signoff for your HR policies.
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