E14 – COVID-19 Procedures

Originator: Safety and Health Services
Approver: President and CEO
Effective: June 15, 2022
Replaces: March 15, 2022

1.0 Preamble

Red River College Polytechnic (“RRC Polytech”) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all members of the College community, including Students, Residents, Employees, Contractors, Clients, and Visitors.

RRC Polytech is committed to taking all precautions necessary to minimize the risk and impact of COVID-19 on all campuses and in all spaces owned or occupied by the College, including classrooms, boardrooms, meeting rooms, lecture theatres, gymnasiums, dining rooms, restaurants, cafeterias, lounges, student residences, laboratories, shops, hallways, outdoor spaces, and other common use areas.

2.0 Definitions

1. “Approved Face Mask” means a College supplied medical grade or KN95/N95 mask which covers an individual’s nose and mouth, fits securely with no gaps and has no holes. Cloth masks are not permitted on Campus.
2. “Campus” refers to all RRC Polytech campuses (including regional campuses), and any and all spaces owned or occupied by the College, including classrooms, boardrooms, meeting rooms, lecture theatres, gymnasiums, dining rooms, restaurants, cafeterias, lounges, student residences, laboratories, shops, hallways, outdoor spaces, and common use areas.“Client” means a third party with whom the College has entered into an agreement to provide services, including but not limited to research or instructional services.
3. “Client” means a third party with whom the College has entered into an agreement to provide services, including but not limited to research or instructional services.
4. “Contractor” means a third party with whom the College has entered into a contract to provide services to the College and includes a Vendor of goods or services.
5. “Employee” means an employee of the College.
6. “Hand Hygiene” refers to hand cleansing by washing hands with the use of water and soap or applying an alcohol-based hand rub to the surface of hands.
7. “Health Services” refers to a division of Safety, Health and Security Services (SHS) that is a nurse run clinic located at the College’s Notre Dame Campus that supports Employees, and Students’ physical and mental health.
8. “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)” refers to any equipment and/or clothing used by an individual to minimize exposure to a specific hazard. As it relates to COVID-19, PPE may include items such as gloves, safety glasses, masks, etc.
9. “Resident” means an individual that resides in a College residence.
10. “Safety, Health and Security Services (SHS)” refers to the College’s department responsible for providing a safe environment for Employees, Students, and other individuals attending Campus. SHS works in conjunction with Academic Programs, Facility Management, Security Services, and the Workplace Safety and Health Committee (WSHC).
11. “Student” means a student enrolled at the College.
12. “Supervisor” means any person who has charge or authority over an employee, such as Chairs, Directors, Instructors, or Managers.
13. “Symptomatic” means having symptoms of illness. Symptoms of COVID-19 in adults includes feeling unwell/weak/tired, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell, breathing problems, skin rash, red/irritated eyes.
14. “Visitor” means any person who has been invited to attend a Campus for pre-approved, official College business or has been invited by a Resident as a guest to attend a student residence and is not a Student, Resident, Employee Contractor or Client.

3.0 Policy

3.1

RRC Polytech requires that all Students, Residents, Employees, Contractors, Clients, and Visitors adhere to the COVID protocols that have been implemented at all College Campuses as described in the Appendices attached to this Policy, as may be amended from time to time at the College’s sole discretion.

3.2

This Policy and associated Appendices shall, at a minimum, comply with all applicable provincial laws including The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), recommendations and Orders under The Public Health Act, and The Workplace Safety and Health Act and regulations and The Human Rights Code.

4.0 Responsibilities

4.1

College Community: Every Student, Employee, Contractor, Client, Resident, and Visitor has the responsibility to review and abide by this Policy. Any questions or concerns should be brought to the attention of a Supervisor, Safety, Health and Security Services.

4.2

Departments: All Departments and Programs must take all precautions necessary in accordance with this Policy and related Appendices to protect the safety and health of Employees against COVID-19.

4.3

Supervisors: Supervisors must ensure Employees within their department act in accordance with this Policy and related Appendices (which may change from time to time at the College’s sole discretion) and any direction from Safety and Health Services. Supervisors must ensure that Employees use appropriate PPE in accordance with this Policy and the College’s SHS Code of Practice on Personal Protective Equipment. Guidance on the College’s latest COVID-19 Protocols can be sought from SHS at any time.

4.4

Safety, Health and Security Services: Safety, Health and Security Services will investigate concerns related to COVID-19 and conduct necessary follow-up; SHS shall adhere, at a minimum, to Manitoba Public Health guidance on COVID-19 and shall be responsible for updating this Policy and associated Appendices as required.

SHS will provide necessary education and training related to COVID-19 to Employees and Students and will counsel individuals with concerns about COVID-19 and oversee all processes developed under this Policy.

5.0 Exceptions

5.1

No exceptions from this Policy may be granted without the approval of SHS or other designated authority. The College will retain discretion to permit exemptions from any aspect of the Policy not specifically contemplated where required, including to comply with The Human Rights Code.

Related Policies

E1 – Safety
E2 – Emergency Response
E11 – Reporting of Accidents and Serious Injuries
H1 – Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment Policy
SHS Code of Practice on Personal Protective Equipment

Appendices

Appendix A – COVID-19 Protocols

1.0 Protocols

1.1

Red River College Polytechnic requires all Students, Employees, Residents, Clients, Contractors, and Visitors to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols that may be implemented from time to time at College Campuses as it relates to COVID-19. These protocols include the following:

1. Using proper Hand Hygiene;
2. Using proper Cough Etiquette; and
3. Wearing PPE that has been identified for your work or learning environment or student residence.

2.0 Face Mask Usage

2.1

An Approved Face Mask may be worn on campus at the discretion of each individual. Masks are not required to be worn in indoor or outdoor spaces. Members of the College Community will be respectful of the choice made by others whether to wear or not wear a mask based on their personal considerations.

Appendix B

Appendix C – Protocols for Symptomatic Worker or Student on Campus

These protocols apply to all persons attending Campus, including those who are Fully Vaccinated.

1. Any person planning to attend a Campus must self-assess for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to attending the Campus and may not attend if showing symptoms of COVID-19.
2. Any employee or student who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus must immediately leave campus and not return until the symptoms of illness have resolved.

Appendix D – Individual Uncooperative on Campus

1. The College expects that all individuals will treat others with respect in connection with this Policy.
2. Where an individual refuses to comply with this Policy or fails to behave in a manner consistent with the College’s behavioural expectations, the College will take the steps outlined in the attached flowchart
3. In addition, in the event that any individual behaves in a manner inconsistent with the College’s behavioural expectations in their interactions with any College Employee or Student, they may be removed from and/or barred from Campus. The College reserves the right to impose other appropriate consequences as outlined in the Student Discipline Policy or under the Collective Agreement between the College and the MGEU.

Appendix E