Covid-19 Vaccination Policy
Revised Date: September 24, 2021
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE
1.01 The purpose of this COVID-19 Vaccination Policy (the "Policy") is to provide guidelines pertaining to the expectations and requirements of Staff and clients of Silecio Inc. with respect to COVID-19 and vaccination.
1.02 Silecio Inc. is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees, clients, and members of the public with whom we regularly interact.
1.03 In our day-to-day operations, we must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to ensure the health and safety of our staff and clients. It is therefore critical that our Staff & clients take any and all reasonable precautions to protect against the transmission and reduce the severity of the illnesses associated with COVID-19.
1.04 Receiving the recommended COVID-19 vaccinations (double vaccination or full vaccination) as soon as possible, and any further recommended booster vaccinations, will help to protect our employees and our families by reducing transmission and the severity of the illnesses associated with COVID-19.
ARTICLE 2 DEFINITIONS
2.01 In this Policy, "fully vaccinated" means having received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of approved COVID-19 vaccines and having received the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.
ARTICLE 3 SCOPE
3.01 This Policy applies to all employees of Silecio Inc. ("Staff") and clients, where applicable.
ARTICLE 4 POLICY
A. Vaccine Strongly Encouraged
4.01 We strongly recommend and encourage all Staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, as recommended by both the provincial and federal governments and public health authorities.
By September 29th, 2021, all Staff must provide, in writing, confirmation of their vaccination status (i.e., vaccinated or not vaccinated). In the case of vaccines requiring two doses, Staff must disclose whether they have received the second dose and whether the required 14-day antibody waiting period has elapsed. We may require that this information be updated at reasonable intervals.
4.03 Where a vaccine has been made available and a Staff member chooses not to be fully vaccinated, the Staff member will be required to disclose, in writing, to management the reason for not being fully vaccinated. This information will be kept secure in the employee's confidential information file. Use of the information is restricted to contact tracing and making decisions required to ensure every precaution reasonable is taken to protect health and safety in our workplace.
4.04 In the case of an employee who has the opportunity to receive the vaccine and has chosen not to be fully vaccinated, we will review all information of relevance, including any requirements of our clients, and will implement any actions necessary in the circumstances to protect workplace health and safety, up to and including restricting the individual's access to the workplace and/or specific job sites, placing the individual on an unpaid leave of absence, and/or modifying or terminating their employment.
4.05 Any Staff member who is not fully vaccinated, irrespective of the reason, who is permitted to continue in active employment, will (at a minimum) be required to utilize all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) deemed necessary or appropriate by us and/or our clients while at work, regardless of position, and to follow all protocols and other requirements and directives. These directives may require compliance with screening protocols deemed appropriate by us and/or our clients, which may include the administration of rapid testing at the commencement of each work day and prior to entry to any work areas. Any testing protocol or other directive that may be issued by us and/or our clients will continue until the COVID-19 pandemic is declared at an end by provincial and regional health officials, at which time the situation will be re-assessed by management. Testing will be conducted on the Employee's time, not during working hours, and at the Employee's expense.
B. Proof of Vaccination and Identification
4.06 In accordance with Ontario Regulation 645/21, as of September 22, 2021, Silecio Inc. requires proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, along with proof of identification, for all Staff and clients accessing certain settings as required by law. These settings include but are not limited to, indoor areas of meeting and event spaces and community centres/facilities that are used for the purpose of training.
4.07 Upon entry to any of the required settings, individuals will need to show either a paper or digital copy of their vaccination receipt that demonstrates they are fully vaccinated. It must include name, date of vaccination and brand of vaccine.
4.08 Proof of identification is also required to confirm the name of the person and date of birth. Identification must be issued by an institution or public body and include the individual’s name and date of birth.
4.09 Validation of identification occurs when the name and date of birth of the presenter of the vaccination receipt matches the name and date of birth on the identification document. If the name and date of birth on both documents do not match, or if an individual cannot provide proof of vaccination along with appropriate ID, the individual will not be permitted to enter the specific settings outlined in the Regulation.
C. Exemptions and Accommodations
4.10 Staff and clients who can establish that they are not recommended for vaccination for medical reasons, or that they have a bona fide religious objection to vaccination, will have their cases considered on an individual basis.
4.11 Silecio Inc. will accommodate bona fide medical and religious requests for not getting fully vaccinated to the point of undue hardship, however there are no guarantees that Staff who cannot or will not get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to continue working in active employment in their current position, or at all. Client requirements may also prevent employees that are not fully vaccinated from working at specific job sites, which could lead to a layoff due to a lack of work. Each case will be considered on its own merits in light of ethical and legal obligations to provide a safe work environment in-line with public health requirements and guidelines, and applicable law.
4.12 Individuals participating in training at Silecio-approved training centres with traditional classroom settings are exempt from the proof of vaccination requirement. These settings, which fall outside of the scope of the Regulations, continue to maintain all existing Covid-19 protocols and measures, including but not limited to, masking, capacity limits, screening and physical distancing.
D. Non-Compliance
4.13 Staff failing to follow this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
4.14 A failure or refusal to follow this Policy may lead to dismissal for cause or layoff due to a lack of work depending on client requirements.
ARTICLE 5 CONFIDENTIALITY
5.01 Information relating to an employee or client’s proof of vaccination and/or the reason(s) for not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination will remain confidential and will not be disclosed except as may be required for the purposes of ensuring the safety of our employees, contractors, clients and local communities in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak, or as otherwise may be required to ensure every precaution reasonable is taken to protect health and safety in our workplace.
5.02 If and when the COVID-19 pandemic ends, all information regarding an employee or client’s vaccination status will be securely destroyed, erased, or anonymized by Silecio Inc.
ARTICLE 6 CONTACT
6.01 Please contact Silecio Inc. at 1-855-852-2199 or info@silecio.com with any questions.
ARTICLE 7 AMENDMENTS AND COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW
7.01 This Policy may be amended from time to time by Silecio Inc. as we deem necessary or appropriate, as relevant circumstances change, and at all times will be applied in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code and all other applicable law.
COVID-19 POLICY AND PROCEDURE
Revised Date: January 15, 2021
PURPOSE
To continually provide a safe working environment for our employees, clients and the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our main goal is to minimize risk and help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 by practicing a high level of cleaning, disinfecting, hygiene and physical distancing measures.
PRACTICES & PROCEDURES
Self-Assessment
If an employee, instructor or learner is feeling unwell or exhibiting any flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea) he or she must stay home and consult with a health professional for further direction.
Personal Hygiene
All employees, instructors and learners will be expected to practice handwashing often with soap and hot water (if available) for a least 30 seconds, particularly before and after eating, as well as after using washroom facilities, coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. If soap and water is unavailable, alcohol-based hand sanitizer must be used. All employees, instructors and learners must make every effort to:
- Avoid touching their eyes, nose, mouth, and mask at all times.
- Cough or sneeze away from others and into the bend of their elbow (even if wearing a mask).
- Avoid all physical contact including handshaking, high-fives, etc.
Mandatory Use of Masks
All persons shall wear a facial covering at all times when indoors. Masks are required to be worn outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Learners are encouraged to bring and use their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to each class, including gloves, mask, and safety equipment. Should a worker not have a mask or facial covering to wear, a mask will be provided to the worker at an additional cost. Masks shall be disposed of properly in a wastebasket.
Enhanced Cleaning of Tools and Equipment
- Instructors shall sanitize all provided PPE and training equipment (iPads, tablets, etc.) with a disinfectant wipe or spray before and after each class.
- Training hosts will be responsible for sanitizing all high traffic surfaces/areas (tables, chairs, door handles, washroom facilities, etc.) with a disinfectant wipe or spray before and after each class.
- Personal items and supplies such as phones, iPads/tablets, pens, notebooks and PPE are for individual use only and must not be shared.
**CAUTION** At this time, it is not recommended to utilize any disinfectants on fall protection equipment as the effects of these chemicals have not been properly evaluated by their manufacturers. Webbing and stitching elements when exposed to chemicals found in many disinfectants may degrade and ultimately affect the product’s original design and strength requirements. The fall protection equipment used during Silecio Safety training classes is for demonstration purposes only and will never be put into actual use.
**NOTE** The fall protection equipment used during Silecio Safety training classes is for demonstration purposes only and will never be put into actual use.
Physical Distancing in Class
All employees, instructors and learners shall make every effort to maintain a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from one another at all times. A facial cover must be worn at all times as additional protection should the two meters of physical distance be reduced.
Reduced Class Sizes
Instructors and employers must ensure that class sizes adhere to all applicable Regulatory requirements. When capacity limits are enforced, the total number of persons permitted to be in each instructional space at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the business or place, except where necessary for teaching and instruction that cannot be effectively provided if physical distancing is maintained. In any event, instructors and employers shall ensure that in-person classroom training is restricted to a maximum of 10 students. Instructors shall ensure that the contact information for each trainee is recorded.
Additional On-Site Training Criteria
All clients requesting on-site training will be required to:
- Administer/complete a Covid-19 pre-screening questionnaire prior to each person entering the training class/location.
- Show evidence (i.e. pictures) of adequate washroom and washing facilities on-site, which must have clean running or potable water with hand soap and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Show evidence (i.e. pictures) of alcohol-based hand sanitizer at or near all entry points and high-traffic locations throughout the work area.
- Ensure there is no loitering before and after classes.
Blended Learning
Silecio Inc. can provide a blended approach to learning that incorporates interactive virtual online classrooms for the theory portion of all courses. One-on-one practical evaluations will be scheduled at a later date upon successful completion of the virtual/online training component. The practices and procedures outlined above will be in effect for all practical evaluations.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
Any cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to a course start date will be subject to applicable charges. If a participant fails to attend or does not meet the minimum requirements for a training course, he or she will be charged for the full quoted amount. Participants may be substituted up until the date of training, or a rain check can be requested for use at a later date.
Silecio Inc. reserves the right to cancel and/or reschedule any courses with notice. Should a course need to be cancelled for any reason (i.e., inclement weather, personal emergency, etc.) customers will be notified no later than 6:30 a.m. on the morning of training. Cancelled classes will be re-scheduled, or rain checks will be issued for use at a later date.
WORKING AT HEIGHTS IN CONSTRUCTION REFRESHER TRAINING POLICY
Prior to WAH Refresher training, Silecio Inc. asks for a copy of each trainee’s Learner ID number, which can be found on the CPO Approved WAH certificate that was issued by the Ministry of Labour upon completion of the full WAH course. If a trainee is unable to obtain his/her Learner ID number, then it is up to the trainee and/or employer to ensure that he/she is eligible for Refresher training, using the Eligibility Check Tool. Silecio Inc. does not keep records of Learner ID numbers or copies of the Eligibility Check Tool and will not be responsible nor bar an individual from a course should training eligibility not be met.
PAPERLESS POLICY
As of November 1st, 2019, and in an effort to do our part for the environment, Silecio Safety went paperless. This means that all training courses are now facilitated using tablets for training materials and exams.
We will also be transitioning to an electronic certification management system which will enable customers to view and print copies of their certificates as needed.
In the interim, hard copy certificates will no longer be issued, however PDF copies of trainee certificates will continue to be issued by email upon the successful completion of Silecio Safety courses and as requested thereafter once payment has been received in full.
CERTIFICATE POLICY
Each trainee who successfully completes his/her respective training course will receive a digital certificate upon receipt of payment. Trainees who do not successfully complete the course will not be refunded and will not receive a certificate. Certificates are valid for three (3) years from the training date.
WORKING AT HEIGHTS IN CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE POLICY
Each trainee who successfully completes the CPO Approved - WAH in Construction or WAH in Construction Refresher Training course will receive a digital certificate upon receipt of payment. Silecio Inc. is required by the Ministry of Labour to process all records of training and documentation on behalf of trainees within five (5) business days and therefore we require payment in full prior to training. Any trainee who does not successfully complete the course will not be refunded and will not receive a certificate. Certificates are valid for three (3) years from the training date.