These are still crazy times. We all must stay informed and when we go to work not accept anything less than what is required by the Provincial Health Officer, Center for Disease Control and WorkSafe BC. Below are links to critical information about what employers have to do to protect you on the job. Hand in hand with that is what we should be doing to protect each other. Remember many of us have contact with older relatives in our home, children and spouses. If you have any symptoms stay home for at least ten days. If you have been exposed to someone with a Positive COVID19 test, then self isolate for 14 days. They are making it much easier to get tested now. Just call your doctor for a telephone consultation and explain your symptoms. You will most likely be given an immediate appointment for testing. Remember if you have to stay home because of the covid you can collect the CERB benefit of 500 per week for up to 16 weeks. Check the link to confirm you would be eligible.
Now is a good time for health and safety training and apprenticeship training. Our apprenticeship training will soon be available with an online component to handle the classroom work and testing and scheduled practical sessions using proper physical distancing to protect your health. Let’s make lemon-aid out of this COVID19 lemon we have to chew on right now. Contact Sharon at the office 604-584-2021 or Geoff at 778-847-2472 to get you name on the list for apprenticeship training. Check back on this site for links to online health and safety training including the new Regional Safety Training Course. for now, enform/ossa (the new Energy Safety canada group) has extended the expiry date of all tickets that expire in the first half of 2020 to September.
March 21, 2020…update to Lafarge Shutdown Cautionary Notice. Below is an excerpt from an email statement delivered to Thorcan Management by Lafarge. We understand that a Thorcan higher up was in the same room as the COVID19 positive Lafarge higher up for a short period of time and at a safe distance. The hazard from this contact is relatively low. Please continue to practice self monitoring of your health and contact your health care professional if you begin to show any symptoms. It is important that you practise very careful social distancing, hand washing and take all precautions at home with those you live with. Please take care and again, if you know of older or retired members please contact them to check in and let them know they are not alone. The hall is still operating and we are available to help you navigate these troubling times.
“Dear Contractors/Vendors,
Lafarge Canada received notification from Vancouver Coastal Health March 19th, 2020 regarding our employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19. The VCH-Richmond Public Health has completed a subsequent risk assessment of potential exposure to the employees and clients and have identified a very small group of individuals who have a low risk of exposure.
We have confirmed with Richmond Public Health that it is safe for individuals to return to the workplace so long as they are in good health. We have contacted our employees to advise them of this recent communication and are taking the necessary steps to return them to active service at the plant.
Out of an abundance of caution, Vancouver Coastal Health is asking anyone who might have been in contact with the infected individual to:
· Monitor your health for fever, cough, malaise, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (until March 27th); and
· Avoid crowded public spaces and places where you cannot easily separate yourself from others if you become ill.
Prevention is the safest way to manage this outbreak. We are encouraging employees to continue to adhere to handwashing, social distancing, and hygiene protocols as recommended by both Health Canada and the World Health Organization.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is a caution to all members who have been working at
Lafarge Cement Plant Shutdown in Richmond.
According to Local 97, Ironworkers working for RKM have been
potentially exposed to the COVID19 Virus through their Supervisory personnel
who were in contact with a COVID19 Positive Lafarge manager/executive.
**Anyone working at Lafarge on this recent shut down should self-isolate for 14 days.** +++The latest information on the possible exposure at Lafarge, see top of this post, unless you have symptoms of illness, self isolation is not necessary. If you are on the job make sure all proper precautions are being taken; washing down and disinfection of tables, door handles, tools; safe distances are observed between people, frequent handwashing, try keep your hands from touching your face. +++
Take care to protect your loved ones from possible infection. If you have any symptoms especially fever, dry cough, sore throat and difficulty breathing contact your health care provider. See the information below from the Health Link BC website. Take care, be safe and contact us if you have any questions.
If you know of or are related to a retired member please check in with them from time to time to ensure they are doing well. Take care not to come in close contact but please do keep an eye out for them.
Geoff Higginson
Self-Isolation
Self-isolation means staying home and
limiting your contact with others for 14 days. This helps to lower the chance
of spreading the disease because symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear
after exposure to COVID-19. During this 14 day incubation period, there is a
small chance you can spread germs even though you don’t feel sick. This is
why it is important for people at risk of having been exposed to the illness
are asked to self-isolate.
To limit contact with others, you
should
Stay home
Avoid those who have chronic conditions,
compromised immune systems and older adults
Avoid having visitors to your home
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water
for 20 seconds
Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when
coughing or sneezing
Community Savings Credit Union Steps up for Workers
Construction work can’t be done from home. The BC Building Trades are advocating with the federal and provincial governments to help provide financial relief for construction workers in these extraordinary times. We have also reached out and been working with our partners at Community Savings Credit Union.
Community Savings is offering a special line of credit for workers facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This means that those facing job losses can have access to an interest free $2,500 line of credit. Due to the current economic situation, the credit union is maintaining a degree of flexibility for applicants in terms of work history and current employment status–you can apply on EI. Community Savings is offering a suite of other tools to those who do their banking there to relieve the pressure folks are facing right now. Importantly, these offerings are for current or new members of Community Savings only. Workers must join the credit union in order to leverage these options. This is an easy process and although Community Savings has branches throughout B.C., workers do not need to live near a branch in order to sign up; they can apply on the website.
This help is not intended to replace assistance from the government, but we hope it will provide an extra level of support to those in need right now.
For more information: Lower Mainland: 604-654-2000 Victoria: 250-385-8431 Toll Free:1-888-653-2000
