Physical distancing and other preventative measures, Employment status, work sharing and temporary work. Email: askus@smallbusinessbc.ca. During a WorkSafeBC inspection, we will ask employers about the steps they have taken to protect their workers and to see their plan. The B.C. prepare. Modify work processes and practices to encourage physical distancing, such as instructing workers to not greet one another or customers by shaking hands. The Government of BC has developed a Business Continuity Planning Checklist to help small businesses prepare staff and operations for potential business disruptions during the COVID-19 outbreak. An undue hazard is an “unwarranted, inappropriate, excessive, or disproportionate” hazard. Please also visit and check our webpage with links to current information and relevant private sector articles on COVID-19 considerations for business. New York-based nonprofit TruFund Financial Services Inc. is allocating loans and grants from Google to local small businesses looking to rebuild after the coronavirus … If the matter is not resolved, the worker and the supervisor or employer must contact WorkSafeBC. The BC Centre for Disease Control’s hand hygiene guidance recommends the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) or soap and water to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This information sheet outlines the limitations of masks as a protective measure, and describes how to select and use different types of masks including cloth masks, surgical masks, and disposable respirators. You may want to record the details of their other employment to help you assess any possible impact on their work and any steps you may need to take to mitigate potential risk. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. Education & Events The program runs until March 31, 2021 … An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses. 100% guaranteed loans of $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow in response to COVID-19, available through your financial institution until June 30, 2021. based businesses to create an online shop or improve their e-commerce experience to assist in expanding their business and reaching more customers. Prioritize the work that needs to occur at the workplace to help your business operate. For more information from WorkSafeBC, please see: Every employer is required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that assesses the risk of exposure at their workplace and implements measures to keep their workers safe. Today, we’re announcing a new effort to help small businesses access resources to help them recover and support their resilience — Salesforce Care Small Business Grants. 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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Business COVID-19 Support Service will be operated by Small Business BC (SBBC), a non-profit organization that is well known and respected by the business community. What to do if you feel sick: If you have COVID-19, or think you might have it, you can follow steps to minimize its spread. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact. The Launch Online Grant program provides funding to B.C. Federal Paid Leave Questions: Ordinarily the rule is that Hourly employees are paid only for the time … Canada, Phone: 604-775-5525 The Support Service will be operated by Small Business BC and advisors are available Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm (Pacific time) and Saturday from 10am to 4pm at 1-833-254-4357. Toll Free in B.C. Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant This new B.C. Role of Businesses and Employers in Responding to COVID-19. How it spreads: Coronavirus is transmitted via larger liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The COVID-19 global crisis has hit small businesses especially hard. Telephone: 1 800-667-2272. askus@smallbusinessbc.ca . COVID-19 has impacted businesses, livelihoods, and lifestyles in very challenging ways, particularly small businesses, and workers may be affected by the anxiety, stress, and uncertainty created by the outbreak. Recovery Grant is available to small and medium sized businesses impacted by COVID-19. Eliminate in-person team meetings or modify them to incorporate technology such as conference calling and online meetings. Small Business BC has information and resources available for small businesses, including applications for Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) and the B.C. It’s important to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and employers should take measures to support mental well-being and health. Employers must review their COVID-19 safety plan is consistent with WorkSafe BC guidelines, Daily health checks of employees must be performed, employees must not work if they did not pass or properly perform the daily health check, Employers must encourage workers to work from home if that is possible, and provide supports for this, have already shut down because of the COVID-19 crisis. Small businesses may consider some of the following advice or best practices at their worksite to reduce the risk of worker exposure to COVID-19. Small businesses will now be able to receive up to 75 per cent in federal government funds in order to keep paying their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic – up from the previously announced 10 per cent subsidy plan. The B.C. 12:00pm to 2:00pm. These protocols provide guidance to employers in small businesses. For instance, nearly $350 billion has been earmarked through the new Paycheck Protection Program to provide financial assistance to small business owners affected by the COVID-19 crisis. To prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19, you must first understand the virus and how it spreads. How the program works Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to small and medium sized B.C. NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A large number of small shops, cafes and other business ventures in B.C. Contact Small Business BC with your business related questions. Chris Back from WorkSafeBC will cover health and safety planning as we enter a new 550-555 W. 12th Ave Developing and communicating policies prohibiting the following workers and others from entering the workplace: Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days, Anyone who has been identified by Public Health as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, Anyone who has been told to isolate by Public Health. Governments and the private sector are providing a wide-range of supports for small businesses in British Columbia affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. See the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Consider what kind of work records you need to maintain, particularly if your temporary employees are also working elsewhere. This may be through a worker representative in workplaces of 9 to 20 employees, or through a joint health and safety committee for workplaces of more than 20 employees. WorkSafeBC has produced the following guides to assist with managing the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the workplace: For more resources, see our mental health FAQs. Note: you can withdraw your consent at any time - for more information see our Privacy Policy or Contact Us for more details. Detailed knowledge about COVID-19 and educating employees through sharing the updates provided by Medcor Clinical Affairs. Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources We respectfully acknowledge our place of work is within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and that we serve the Peoples of the many Nations throughout British Columbia. Small Business BC has information and resources available for small businesses, including applications for Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) and the B.C. The Canadian Business Resilience Network About 60% of businesses that have closed during the coronavirus pandemic will never reopen, and restaurants have suffered the most, according to new data from Yelp. Before hiring temporary workers you should ensure they are not exhibiting signs of sickness and that they are not in violation of any mandatory self-isolation order either because they are waiting for COVID-19 related test results or because of travel activities. We pleased to share our new Digital Meetups series. TruFund Receives $1M Grow With Google Small Business Fund Loan, $150K Google.org Grant To Help Small Businesses Recover From COVID-19 PR Newswire Mar 8, 2021 Learn more. Small Business BC advisors are ready to answer entrepreneurs’ questions about implementing or updating business continuity plans, accessing the Talk to an Expert program, or finding online training to help them take the next step. You’ll be able to speak to a prevention officer to get answers to your questions, and if required, a prevention officer will be assigned to assess the health and safety risk at your workplace. Employers must provide and maintain adequate washroom facilities, as required by Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 4.85 . The Canada Centre of Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a number of resources that can be used by small businesses, including fact sheets and workplace posters outlining effective hygiene practices to help reduce the risk of exposure. As part of B.C’s COVID-19 Action Plan, our provincial government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. B.C. Business COVID-19 Support Service, which serves as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Content from health and safety associations and other parties is also subject to change and WorkSafeBC has not reviewed this material for the purpose of ensuring it is aligned with our guidance. Once that occurs, a prevention officer will consult with workplace parties to determine whether there is an undue hazard and issue orders if necessary. Add signage about best practices for personal hygiene for customers who may interact with your workers. Our primary concern is the health of all British Columbians, and we continue to work across government and with our federal counterparts to help people and businesses in B.C. The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free, partially forgivable, loans of up to $60,000, to small businesses and not-for-profits, that have experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 but face ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and wages. Learn more. For the latest guidance, visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control for health information and see the latest news from the government of British Columbia. Visit our Small Business Help Center to learn more. Download the Business Continuity Checklist In addition to your regular new employee orientation, employers need to ensure adequate training is provided with regards to COVID-19 exposure risks and the prevention policies that you have in place. This poster illustrates the steps to follow to put on and take off a mask safely. Learn more. Remind staff of effective personal hygiene practices. Current information on COVID-19 can found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website. Join us each Tuesday at 11am as we discuss tips and resources for navigating the COVID Economy. Small to medium sized businesses based in and registered in BC that employ less than 149 B.C. These employers may also benefit from reviewing protocols developed for office spaces, personal services, restaurants, cafés and pubs, and retail. : 1-800-667-2272 Employers may want to consider whether any of their workers can work remotely (i.e., work at home). Download the Small Business support directory This tool will guide... During the course of the current pandemic, public health experts advise that activities should be moved outdoors wherever possible. For additional information, also see: WorkSafeBC will be reviewing plans of individual employers during their inspections of your workplace. Small Business BC is B.C.’s key resource centre for comprehensive small business information and services. TTY (Teletypewriter): 1-800-457-8466 at 1.888.621.SAFE). Please be reminded that in accordance with the order of the provincial health officer, this plan must be posted at the worksite and posted to the website, if there is one. As mass vaccinations have begun in British Columbia, businesses are making plans for the return of more staff to the workplace, but questions remain about COVID measures like barriers, distancing, PPE and so forth. The Government of BC has developed a … Enhance cleaning and disinfecting practices in high contact areas like door and cabinet handles, keyboards, and light switches. B.C. Employers must take all necessary precautions to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission and illness to themselves, workers, and others at the workplace. Visit COVID-19 for the latest small business information. For more information, see Occupational Health and Safety Guideline G3.12. residents and have been directly impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible to have their tuition covered Registration is open. Should this be practicable, be aware that many health and safety roles, rights, and responsibilities are just as applicable for at-home workers as they are for more traditional workplaces. Help SBBC Improve Our Services - You Could Win a BC Shop Local Gift Card, Start Smart 1: Basics of Starting a Business. Workers have the right to refuse work if they believe it presents an undue hazard. Business COVID-19 Support Service, operated by Small Business BC, is a one-stop shop for information on support for businesses available during COVID-19. How to support small businesses during COVID-19, How To Choose The Right Business Structure, Tuesday, April 13th 2021 Open Interest-free loans for small businesses and not-for-profits; HASCAP (Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program) Open Low-interest loans to cover operational needs for hard-hit businesses; CERS (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy) Open Rent and mortgage support for qualifying organizations affected by COVID‑19 Support is available in several languages. Meet Jordan Rogers, Lloyd-James Sales & Marketing, Sign up for our eNewsletter to get the latest updates. To learn more, read Inspections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small and Medium businesses are vital to our provincial economy. The new information is available here: Canada expands 75% wage subsidy to COVID-19 affected businesses of all sizes. They are the heart of our communities and we care deeply about the challenges they are facing in this crisis. To help you develop your plan, this page provides information and resources on keeping workers safe in industries that have been providing essential services since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. (AP) — More than $23.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds was split up among 25 applicants for the first two rounds of the South Dakota small business … Business COVID-19 Support Service: A one-stop resource operated by Small Business BC (SBBC) for businesses with questions about the supports available from governments and organizations. Post Date: February 19, 2021 This handy document contains links to the most up-to-date information and resources. All SBBC services are now available remotely, and the office is closed, due to COVID-19.Small Business BC If you are hiring temporary foreign workers, review the Government of Canada’s. We’re dedicated to supporting your business through this difficult time by compiling answers to the most common COVID-19 questions and keeping you up to date on the latest relief measures from the federal government. Regardless of whether your employees are full-time, part-time, temporary or participating in the Work-Sharing (WS) program, the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation still apply to your workplace. Check with your local library regarding A poll from Insights West finds 43 per cent of small businesses have closed their doors, and a further 27 per cent are operating, but are having difficulties. If practicable, reconfigure the workplace to maintain appropriate distance between workers and customers. Remove shared items where cross-contamination is possible (e.g., shared coffee and water stations and snack bins). Employers must also ensure they are abiding by any orders, notices, or guidance issued by the provincial health officer, and the appropriate health authority, that are relevant to their workplace. For COVID-19, an “undue hazard” would be one where a worker’s job role places them at increased risk of exposure and adequate controls are not in place to protect them from that exposure. Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) interest-free loans. Available via phone and email Monday – Wednesday, Friday9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact: askus@smallbusinessbc.ca. This handy document contains links to the most up-to-date information and resources. Business COVID-19 Support Service, which serves as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensure workers are provided with appropriate supplies, such as soap and water, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, nitrile gloves and garbage bags, and sufficient washing facilities. The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadian businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Special thanks to the Academic Business Librarians of British Columbia, who have helped curate the information on this webpage. The BC Business COVID-19 Support Service, facilitated by Small Business BC, serves as a single point of contact for businesses throughout the province looking for information on resources available during COVID-19. Small business advocates were pleased with the overall bill, and said the $1,400 stimulus payments to individuals and families as well as continued … Inquiries can also be emailed to covid@smallbusinessbc.ca, or raised on our live-chat feature available at covid.smallbusinessbc.ca. Small Business BC advisors are ready to help Monday-Friday 9am-5pm at 1-833-254-4357, covid@smallbusinessbc.ca & live chat. Employers with fewer than 9 employees must also have a way for workers to raise health and safety concerns at the workplace. Ensure that workers can raise safety concerns. We are actively recruiting for individuals who have active certifications including: EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-P, LVN, LPN A typical day in the life of a Medcor COVID-19 Screener Train your staff on changes you’ve made to work policies, practices, and procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep records of that training. As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe workplace, including reducing your workers’ risk of contracting and spreading the COVID-19 illness. Limit essential work travel, and eliminate all non-essential work travel. However, the BC Liberal critic for jobs, economic recovery, and innovation, Todd Stone, says that with only $65 million of the $300 million allocated for the program having been handed out since October, and the deadline for applications set for March 31, time is running out for struggling businesses. As part of B.C’s COVID-19 Action Plan, our provincial government is providing an additional $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and funding for people, businesses and services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 13, 2020, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz, and Superintendent of Financial Institutions Jeremy Rudin outlined a coordinated package of measures to support the functioning of markets, the resilience of our financial sector, and continued access to financing for Canadian business… Incorporate end-of-shift wipe downs for all shared spaces. Fax: 604-775-5520 Workers and employers with questions or concerns about workplace exposure to COVID-19 can call WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Information Line at 604.276.3100 in the Lower Mainland (toll-free within B.C. Phone: Overview of changes in effect Jan. 1, 2021, Consultation on permanent partial disability benefits, Consultation on retirement age determinations, Summary of provisions, Historical reports, Board of Directors’ decision on the consequential amendments, Board of Directors' decision on permanent partial disability benefits, Board of Directors' decision on retirement age determinations. Employers are required to develop a COVID-19 Safety Plan that outlines the policies, guidelines, and procedures they have put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. TORONTO (NEWS 1130) — Half of small businesses in Canada have seen a further drop in sales amid the second wave of COVID-19, according to a new survey. Learn more about health and safety responsibilities when working from home. SBBC advisors are available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by phone, email and live chat. Vancouver, BC V5Z 3X7 Note: The information on this page is based on current recommendations and may change. For information about COVID-19, visit the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website for guidance on topics such as: Symptoms: The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold. businesses impacted by COVID-19. COVID-19 & Business Research for British Columbia’s Small Businesses Note: This is a work in progress and intended to be a starting place for Canadian, and specifically BC, businesses to gather information. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.