The government has signed an Order in Council to amend O. Reg. 82/20 of the Reopening Ontario Act.   Of interest to OSSGA is that construction has now been limited to what is named in the regulation.  In essence, as Minister McNaughton was quoted as saying on Friday, what is now considered non-essential is “shopping malls, hotels, and office towers”.  The government has not provided a more comprehensive list.  What they have published is the Order in Council which will change the regulation that defines what construction activities are allowed, as follows:

(6) Section 43 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

Construction
43. Construction activities or projects and related services, including land surveying and demolition services, that,

(a) are associated with the health care sector or long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space;

(b) ensure safe and reliable operations of, or provide new capacity in,

(i) municipal infrastructure, or

(ii) provincial infrastructure, including but not limited to, the transit, transportation, resource, energy and justice sectors;

(c) support the operations of, or provide new capacity in, electricity generation, transmission, distribution and storage, natural gas distribution, transmission and storage or in the supply of resources;

( d) support the operations of, or provide new capacity in, schools, colleges, universities or child care centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014;

(e) are required for,

(i) the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries,

(ii) significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work commenced before April 17, 2021, or

(iii) industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance or enhancement of personal protective equipment, medical devices such as ventilators and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic;

(f) would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages or agricultural products;

(g) were commenced before April 17, 2021 and that would,

(i) provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services,

(ii) provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of Information Technology (IT) services or telecommunications services, or

(iii) provide additional capacity to, or enhance the efficiency or operations of, businesses that extract, manufacture, process and distribute goods, products, equipment and materials;

(h) support the operations of broadband internet and cellular technologies and services;

(i) are residential construction activities or projects and related services;

(j) prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads or utilities infrastructure;

(k) are necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused, or that are not active, to ensure ongoing public safety;

(l) are funded in whole or in part by,

(i) the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,

(ii) an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario, or

(iii) a municipality; or

(m) are,

(i) intended to provide shelter or supports for vulnerable persons or affordable housing, and
(ii) being funded in whole or in part by, or are being undertaken by,

(A) the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,

(B) an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,

(C) a municipality,

(D) a service manager as defined the Housing Services Act, 2011,

(E) a registered charity within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), or

(F) a not-for-profit corporation.

We will keep you informed of new information as we receive it.

As Ontario continues taking action to slow the spread of COVID-19, the government also appreciates the importance of supporting the safe and full re-opening of Ontario’s economy.

The Provincial Antigen Screening Program is a newly launched program that allows employers in priority settings to add an additional safety measure in high-risk and essential workplaces, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Through the program, rapid antigen tests will be distributed to organizations in priority settings, to enhance existing routine screening measures for asymptomatic employees. Rapid antigen tests may allow for workplaces to proactively identify cases of COVID-19 that may have otherwise been missed through routine workplace screening, supporting employee safety and business continuity. Rapid antigen screening does not replace existing workplace infection prevention and control measures.

If members are interested in participating in the Provincial Antigen Screening Program, please email Jennifer Fisk, Senior Strategic Advisor at Jennifer.Fisk@ontario.ca. Please find the information documents from the government below.

January 12, 2021 - The Government has declared a second provincial emergency in response to ever-more alarming COVID numbers.  You can read the release here.  Of particular importance to OSSGA members will be the new restrictions on construction activities.

Essential Construction now includes:

• Permitted construction activities or projects and related services, including land surveying and demolition services.
• Construction projects and services associated with the healthcare sector and long-term care, including new facilities, expansions, renovations and conversion of spaces that could be repurposed for health care space.
• Construction projects and services required to ensure safe and reliable operations of, or to provide new capacity in, provincial and municipal infrastructure, including transit, transportation, energy, mining, and justice sectors beyond day-to-day maintenance.
• Construction projects and services that support the operations of, and provide new capacity in schools, colleges, universities, municipal infrastructure and childcare centres within the meaning of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
• Construction projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
• Construction projects and services that support the operations of broadband internet and cellular technologies and services.
• Critical industrial construction activities required for the maintenance and operations of petrochemical plants and refineries, and significant industrial petrochemical projects where preliminary work has already commenced.
• Industrial construction and modifications to existing industrial structures limited solely to work necessary for the production, maintenance, and/or enhancement of Personal Protective Equipment, medical devices (such as ventilators), and other identified products directly related to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Construction projects that are due to be completed before July 2021 and that would provide additional capacity in the production, processing, manufacturing or distribution of food, beverages, or agricultural products.
• Construction projects that were commenced before January 12, 2021, and that would,

1. provide additional capacity for businesses that provide logistical support, distribution services, warehousing, storage or shipping and delivery services, or
2. provide additional capacity in the operation and delivery of Information Technology (IT) services or telecommunications services.

• Residential construction projects where,

• a footing permit has been granted for single family, semi-detached and townhomes
• the project is a condominium, mixed use, or other residential building, or
• the project involves renovations to residential properties and construction work was started before January 12, 2021.

• Construction to prepare a site for an institutional, commercial, industrial, or residential development, including any necessary excavation, grading, roads, or utilities infrastructure.
• Construction and maintenance activities necessary to temporarily close construction sites that have paused or are not active, to ensure ongoing public safety.
• Below-grade multi-unit residential construction projects, such as apartments and condominiums. The Ontario government also provided that businesses must follow public health measures and should review the workplace safety guidelines.
• Construction on any project intended to provide either, affordable housing, or shelter or supports for vulnerable persons, If the project is being funded in whole or in part by, or is being undertaken by, any of the following:

A. the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,

B. an agency of the Crown in right of Canada or in right of Ontario,

C. a municipality,

D. a service manager as defined in the Housing Services Act, 2011, or

E. a registered charity and not for profit within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Also in the announcement:

• Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. This order and other new and existing public health restrictions are aimed at limiting people's mobility and reducing the number of daily contacts with those outside an immediate household. In addition to limiting outings to essential trips, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.
   
• A new "Stay Safe All Day" campaign is being launched focusing workplace inspections in areas of high transmission, including break rooms, and providing new educational materials to employers to promote safe behaviour before, during and after work. Inspectors will use a data-driven approach to focus on workplaces with reported COVID-19 outbreaks, manufacturing businesses, warehouses, distribution centres, food processing operations, construction projects and publicly accessible workplaces deemed essential, such as grocery stores. The Ministry is also using a new data-sharing program, in conjunction with the Ministry of Long-Term Care and the Retirement Regulatory Authority, to focus onsite inspections of long-term-care homes and retirement homes.

Resources for On-going Operations

• NEW Colour-Coded Coronavirus Framework from Government of Ontario
• The Canadian Construction Association has created a Standardized Protocol for all Canadian Construction sites.
• The government of Ontario's guidance for the construction sector.  When you arrive on this page enter construction in the section filter and you will get a list of all types of resources -- from screening, to what happens if someone is sick to lunchroom practices and more.
• OSSGA's Health & Safety Committee has created Forward Facing Protocols as well as posters and other training materials specific to the aggregate sector.  Scroll down on this page for more information.

Financial support for employers  

• The Ontario government offers COVID 19:  Support for Businesses which lists some of the measures taken by the Provincial government to help employers.
• The Federal government offers:
  • Updates on Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) 
  • CRA and COVID which provides information about COVID related reporting.

Emergency Preparedness

• The Canadian Manufacturer and Exporter’s pandemic guide which was developed during the SARS epidemic (and updated in 2009) provides Canadian businesses with the information required to prepare a continuity plan to mitigate the potential effects of a pandemic. Visit: https://cme-mec.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/CME_Pandemic_Guide_Eng_2009Final.pdf
• The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has created the COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit
• Workplace Safety North has several resources related to pandemic preparedness for businesses. Visit: https://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/news/news-post/pandemic-preparedness-business
• The Canadian Construction Association offers the following resources:  https://www.cca-acc.com/covid-19-resources/

OSSGA has put together three COVID-19 Safety Brief Presentations to help businesses equip their employees with best practices and health & safety measures, regarding Physical Distancing, Mental Health and Sanitization. More Safety Briefs will be coming soon. Please select your desired format below, or visit OSSGA's Youtube Channel.

Physical Distancing Safety Brief - PowerPoint

Physical Distancing Safety Brief - Video (MP4)

Mental Health Safety Brief - PowerPoint

Mental Health Safety Brief - Video (MP4)

Sanitization Safety Brief - PowerPoint

Sanitization Safety Brief - Video (MP4)

OSSGA has put together a collection Safety First Alerts for members to use on their social media, website and communication channels, to help employees engage in safe activities at work, in their offices, at their sites, and with their equipment.

A total of 15 Safety First Alerts are available for download here, or by clicking the sample image below. For questions or help with the messaging please contact Sharon Armstrong or Richard Hillier.
 

Employers and constructors have obligations to protect workers from hazards in the workplace as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and the directives coming from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The IHSA has provided employers with guidance on how best to respond to a suspected COVID-19 exposre. Click here to read more.

Employers and constructors have obligations to protect workers from hazards in the workplace as set out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and the directives coming from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The IHSA has provided employers with guidance on how to protect their Transport Drivers and Operators during the current pandemic. Click here to read more.

Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, issued the following statement today regarding health and safety on construction sites:

"The health and safety of construction workers is a top priority for our government. With the COVID-19 situation changing day by day, we are working to ensure that workers have the tools they need to help keep job sites safe. We must do everything possible to fight the spread of this disease.

Read more about what Ontario is doing to limit the spread of COVID-19 at construction sites here.

The Government of Canada has listed the actions to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak:

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html

In addition to the list of Operational Industry Practices above, below are documents and resources from members and outside agencies that may be helpful.

Please scroll down as new resources are being added daily.

• Keeping vendors and employees safe (below)
• Communicating with the public (below)
• Strategies to avoid contact during operations/shipping (below)
• Resources for Business Continuity Plans - including resources from Ontario Chamber of Commerce and more

Courtesy of Nelson Aggregates...

Effective Immediately

Nelson/Waynco is advising all vendors to call ahead prior to making deliveries to Nelson/Waynco sites. Vendors selling production products will not be able to gain access to our sites, and we ask that you address these conversations by telephone or email only.  

Deliveries of pre-approved essential products are to be dropped off outside of Nelson/Waynco buildings. Access inside will not be permitted.

Access to sites to make any needed repairs to Nelson/Waynco equipment must be pre-approved and authorized by the site operation manager prior to entering any Nelson/Waynco site. Scheduled repairs and/or maintenance to equipment, Nelson/Waynco asks that social distancing is maintained (6 ft) while working on site as well as following good hygiene practices; wearing gloves, frequent hand-washing, and regular use of hand sanitizer.

Together we can positively contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by doing our part by prevent the spread of this wretched virus.

Nelson/Waynco Management

Tomlinson has implemented numerous safe work practices to ensure that we are abiding with measures to ‘flatten’ the curve, and are continuing to operate in our lines of business including aggregate, ready mix, environmental services, and construction.   Here is a link to the information we are providing to the public and our customers to ensure that we are putting public and employee health foremost, while operations continue.  https://tomlinsongroup.com/ 

We have instituted a company task force to stay up to date on developments, act on needed changes, and enhance the flow of communication both up and down.  

The message back to government should be that the flow of goods, supply chain and economy needs to keep moving and that industry is putting safety measures in place to facilitate. There will undoubtedly be financial impacts as work slows down, we will be looking to the government to provide leadership and a calming influence to power through the current challenges and through to the other side.

Courtesy of Fowler Construction:

Valued Customers:

Fowler Construction is closely monitoring Covid-19 and adjusting its business operations. We are making several changes at our locations in order to ensure the safety of our employees, customers, suppliers, families & local communities.
Effective immediately the following changes are occurring:

• Most of our team is working remotely. This change will not limit our ability to serve you. Contact information for our sales and customer service staff is listed below. We will best serve you by phone, text or email during this time.
• Our offices and scale houses are closed to visitors. Scale house operators can be spoken to by phone or at the ticket window.
• We are limiting in-person meetings and utilizing video conferencing wherever possible. This includes limiting customer meetings. If an in-person customer meeting is absolutely necessary - we will be not be greeting with a handshake, will be maintaining a minimum 1-metre distance at all times and attempt to hold the meeting outside or in an open space.
• We are dramatically increasing the frequency of sanitization in our offices, scale houses, shop, vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Our staff are limiting, or eliminating where possible, the sharing of equipment between multiple operators during shifts.
• Scale operators are no longer be obtaining a signature on tickets at the scale window. Our scale operator will ask for their name and sign for the driver or customer. The scale operator will then place their initial beside the name and provide the tickets to the driver or customer. Our delivery drivers will also not be asking customers to sign the ticket. We understand that this is a significant shift from our standard process. We are willing to provide our customers with additional reports as requested. Any customers that do not agree with this change of process is asked to contact us immediately in order to discuss further.
• Cash is not accepted at any of our locations. In addition, we are not accepting debit cards at all of our locations. We will continue to accept Visa and Mastercard for retail transactions, however the cards will be entered manually by our staff directly into the Point of Sale machine. Our staff are not directly handling credit cards. This will drastically limit the number of people handling these machines.
• Our scales will be closed for shipping from 12:00pm to 12:30pm daily in order to provide our staff with a lunch break and an opportunity to do additional workspace and/or equipment sanitization.

We thank-you for your understanding through these challenging times. When our business is in a position to return some, or all, of these changes back to normal - we will let you know. In the meantime, should you have any questions please feel free to contact any of our sales and customer service staff below.