1. Warehouse Procedures
Overview
We are currently in the midst of a global pandemic. While the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly, the legislation and regulations used to govern workplaces are not. Under the law, employers have the duty to keep workers and work sites safe and free of hazards. The health and safety of workers is a top concern amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, all parties must place an increased focus on health and safety in order to keep job sites open. Therefore, the company has decided to enforce certain safety guidelines to protect all our employees.
Protecting yourself and your co-workers:
Coronaviruses are spread through close contact, including at work. Here are some helpful tips to help prevent the spread of germs:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Sanitizers have been provided for the use of all warehouse employees.
• Sneeze and cough into your sleeve.
• If you use a tissue, discard immediately and wash your hands afterward.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid high-touch areas, where possible, or ensure you clean your hands after.
• Wash your clothes as soon as you get home.
The following are mandatory, and non-compliance will result in disciplinary action:
• Wear gloves when interacting with high-touch areas.
• Wear masks at all times while in the warehouse. This includes all internal areas and the parking area.
• Maintain a minimum of 2m/ 6ft distance between each other while you are in the warehouse. This includes work spaces, yard, parking and all common areas.
• Irrespective of whether you are wearing PPE or not Social Distancing is mandatory.
• Our warehouses are monitored by video surveillance and any violations to Social Distancing will result in immediate disciplinary action.
If you are ill: notify your supervisor immediately, complete the self-assessment, call 811 and follow the instructions you get.
This policy will be sent via email and posted on the notice board in the warehouse and compliance is required immediately.
2. Visitor Restrictions
DO NOT VISIT THIS OFFICE IF:
• YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS (FEVER, BODY ACHES, SEVERE WEAKNESS, COUGH, SORE THROAT, RUNNY OR STUFFY NOSE OR VOMITTING/DIARRHEA)
• IF YOU HAVE TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF CANADA IN THE LAST 14 DAYS
• IF YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED/ADVISED TO QUARANTINE BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
• IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED / QUARATINED OR HAS TRAVELED
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION – ATLAS COURIER
3. Communication to Drivers
We will continue to reiterate the following important precautions we all can take as follows:
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid shaking hands, hugs and kissing during greetings.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
FAQ’s:
1) Does the 14-calendar day quarantine apply to Owner Operators/Drivers?
Yes, any owner operator who has visited one of the impacted countries needs to self-quarantine for 14 calendar days and contact Dispatch before returning to the office.
2) I have an external guest (supplier, customer, etc.) from one of the countries who wants to visit our office What do I tell them?
Please share with the guest that Atlas has a 14-calendar day quarantine policy for people returning from that country. Ask if they have been in that country in the past 14-calendar days. If yes, if they could please reschedule their visit after the 14-calendar day quarantine in Canada has been completed.
3) A member of my family (roommate, person I live with) has been to one of those countries in the past 14 days do I need to quarantine?
If you have been or will be in close contact, within 6 feet, then yes. Please contact your Dispatch Team immediately and quarantine for 14-calendar days from their return before returning to work.
4) I think I might have COVID-19 what should I do? If point three applies to you please follow the steps mentioned, if you or anybody you have been in contact with has not been in any of the effected countries but you are showing signs of the flu, reach out to your dispatch team to inform them, don’t come to the office and contact your health provider or call 811 to speak with a BC Health provider, update your Dispatch as required if you are told to self quarantine.
5) The customer I am delivering to wants me to follow certain protocols – what should I do? If you are delivering to a client that has specific requirements for COVID-19 please ensure you follow them. This may include: Testing/Restricted Access/ Wearing protective gear and washing your hands before and after entering the facility. Work with your Dispatch if you have any questions.
6) The customer I am delivering to is refusing to sign to confirm receipt of the package- what should I do? At this point it is acceptable to waive signatures. Confirm with the customer if they are agreeable to take a picture of the package being delivered on the doorstep.
7) Customers have the option to communicate how they’d like their orders delivered. They may include a note like “Please leave my package at the door” or “ring my doorbell and leave in the lobby.” You can see these instructions and follow the request.
8) I have just returned to Canada after traveling internationally – If you have returned to Canada after international travel you will need to self -isolate for a period of 14 days and follow the procedure outlined in this document. Do not report to work for the 14-day period.
As part of our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) we have made a few changes to work locations for some of our employees. Please note:
Finance Team – Effective Monday March 16th, 2020 this team will work from the Coquitlam Location.
Some staff members will be working from home to ensure we have no disruption to our business. If you need to reach a member of the staff, contact Dispatch and they can assist with your request.
Our leadership team continues to meet regularly to keep up to date and address any issues or concerns and are working directly with all our businesses in planning precautionary measures.
Important Procedures to follow:
Stay home for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread, ongoing community spread (Travel Health Notice countries) and practice social distancing.
Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:
Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not report to work for this 14-day period. Discuss your situation with your Dispatch before returning to work.
Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
What to Do If You Get Sick
If you get sick with fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or have trouble breathing:
Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room. In the Province of BC call 811
Tell your doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
Avoid contact with others.
If you need to seek medical care for other reasons, such as dialysis, call ahead to your doctor and tell them about your recent travel to an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.
If you have any additional questions, in general do not hesitate to contact Dispatch.
