Formation Safety Notices
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HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
BUSINESS RESUMPTION PLAN
Annex D – Public Health Measures and Personal Protective Equipment
Reference: CDS/DM Joint Directive – DND/CAF COVID-19, Public Health Measures and Personal Protection
Public Health Measure (PHM)
PHMs are behaviors, actions, or the wearing of non-medical equipment which reduce the risk of transmission and infection of viruses.
Non-Medical Mask (NMM)
An NMM is a mask that fully covers the nose and mouth to prevent respiratory droplets from contaminating people or things in the immediate vicinity of the wearer. The wearing of a non-medical mask is considered a PHM that will PROTECT OTHERS from you in the course of your normal activities.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
In the context of COVID-19, there are two categories of PPE: medical-grade PPE and non-medical PPE.
- The wearing of non-medical PPE is considered a PHM that will protect other people from you in the same way wearing a non-medical mask does.
- Medical-grade PPE is for the sole purpose of PROTECTING YOU from infection when performing tasks which place you at higher risk of exposure to pathogens like COVID-19. Medical-grade PPE is used in conjunction with PHMs. Medical-grade PPE includes equipment such as surgical and N95 masks, eye protection, face shields, gloves, and gowns.
COVID-19 Protective Zones
The following zones categorize exposure risk and help establish appropriate PHMs and PPE priorities for members of the Defence Team based on your duties and work environment:
- Home Zone: Place of duty is at home or in self-isolation;
- PHM Zone: Duties and work environments, where 2 metre physical distancing can be maintained;
- PHM Zone – Enhanced: Duties and work environments where 2 metre physical distancing cannot be maintained;
- PPE Zone: Duties and work environments that involves coming into contact with known COVID-19 infected or symptomatic individuals, their belongings or environment; and
- PPE Zone – Medical: Healthcare providers and first responders who provide patient care to known COVID-19 infected or symptomatic individuals.
General Public Health Measures (PHMs)
- The following PHMs are the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace:
- Stay at home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately report to your supervisor for tracking/awareness;
- maintain a physical distance of 2m (6ft) from others at all times. If you are not able to maintain physical distance, further PHM will be required such as wearing an NMM;
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food (>60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an alternative);
- report directly to your place of business and avoid all non-essential movement outside of your place of business;
- avoid gathering in groups;
- cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm and not your hands;
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; and
- follow all additional COVID 19 precautions as posted or otherwise directed.
Non-Medical Masks (NMM)
Masks or face coverings alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19 and must be used in combination with hand washing and physical (social) distancing.
- NMM must be well-fitted (non-gaping). These masks can become contaminated during use. You must avoid moving the mask around or adjusting it often. Masks shall not be shared with others;
- NMM shall be worn for the short periods of time (no longer than 4 hours) that you are unable to physically distance yourself from others in work or public spaces;
- NMM shall be changed as soon as they become damp or soiled. Used masks shall be considered as potentially contaminated. Wash your hands thoroughly before removing a mask. When removing a mask, do not touch the front or the inside of the mask; instead remove it by grasping the ties or straps with your fingers; and
- Soiled NMM shall be placed in a disposable bag and stored until the NMM can be laundered. The NMM can then be emptied into a washing machine and the bag disposed of in a regular garbage container. Then immediately wash hands. Cloth NMM can be laundered with other items using detergent and a hot cycle, and then dried thoroughly. Masks that cannot be washed shall be discarded and replaced as soon as they become damp, soiled, or damaged.
PHM and PPE Decision Tool
The following flowchart will help guide what level of PHM to take or PPE to wear if authorized to report for duty or work:
Mobile App
Stay inform and get the latest update with official DND Apps:
The HR GO App provides critical HR information to public service managers and staff including; articles, contacts, walkthroughs, links to online resources and calculators. The HR GO App was designed to support DND staff who may not have easy access to computers, networks and work primarily offline such as ship repair specialists, various trades, and employees in the field, on leave, or at home. Always up to date the HR GO app will update automatically when connected and continually provide new tools, functions and content to respond to user needs. HR GO is an accessible resource for every day, available “Anytime, Anywhere”.
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.forces.hrciv.hrgo&hl=en_US
Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/hr-go-rh/id1460154062
And
The Canadian Armed Forces app is a bilingual platform for CAF members to: – get updates from CAF leadership – access and customize your CAF social media feed – view latest videos and images – access a variety of CAF resources, including:
- Get help now
- Health Services
- Pay
- Pension
- Bases and wings
- Compensation and benefits
- Education and training
- Family resources
- Housing and relocations
- Legal services
- Morale and welfare services
- OUTCAN
- Veteran’s Affairs
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.forces.dnd.caf&hl=en_US
Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/canadian-forces/id1125442156
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