New addition to on-campus COVID-19 protocols
In response to the rapid increase in COVID-19 transmission, the Ontario government has reviewed recommendations for COVID-19 risk mitigation, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
As part of the government’s , workers who are required to be onsite at their place of employment must wear appropriate PPE that protects their eyes, nose and mouth, if in the course of providing services they are:
- Required to come within two metres of another person who is not wearing a mask or face covering; or
- In an indoor area and are not separated by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier.
The university now requires those on campus to adhere to the following safety protocols:
- A face mask must be worn at all times.
- When two-metre distancing cannot be maintained, a face mask and eye protection must be worn.
Eye protection provides a barrier to infectious materials entering the eye, and the Ontario government now recommends that eye protection be used in conjunction with other PPE when two-metre distancing cannot be maintained.
Unless otherwise specified for a particular space, at a minimum, eye protection should fit comfortably and include side shields. Face shields do not provide adequate protection from COVID-19 when used by themselves. If you wear a face shield, you must also wear a face mask.
In environments where the risk of exposure is greater, your supervisor may recommend heightened levels of eyewear, such as goggles.
Note: The university has limited eye-protection supplies on hand at the moment. If you require eye protection, contact lookingahead@ontariotechu.ca.
For further information, contact Jacquelyn Dupuis, Director, Risk Management, at COVIDOTF@ontariotechu.ca.
