Pandemic Infectious Disease Outbreak Plan
A comprehensive corporate safety policy establishing the framework for preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from pandemic infectious disease outbreaks. This plan aligns with WorkSafeBC and OSHA regulatory expectations for business continuity and worker protection.
This Pandemic Infectious Disease Outbreak Plan establishes the corporate protocol for identifying, containing, and mitigating the impact of communicable disease events that threaten workforce health, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance. The plan applies to all company facilities, field operations, and personnel (including contractors and visitors). It defines the chain of command during an outbreak, the minimum hygiene and distancing standards, the protocols for exposure notification and contact tracing, and the return-to-work criteria following illness or quarantine. The program is built on the hierarchy of controls — elimination, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) — and is reviewed annually or immediately following any significant outbreak event.
This policy applies to all employees, supervisors, managers, contractors, temporary workers, and visitors at every company-owned or operated site, including administrative offices, manufacturing plants, distribution centres, and customer-facing locations. It covers any infectious disease outbreak declared by local, provincial, or federal health authorities (including influenza pandemics, coronavirus variants, and other novel pathogens) and remains in effect until the declared health emergency is lifted or the policy is formally superseded by an updated version. The safety department and executive leadership must ensure that this plan is communicated, trained upon, and enforced for every individual entering company premises or performing work on behalf of the organization.
- Mandatory self-screening before every shift: all personnel must report fever, cough, shortness of breath, or known exposure. Any positive screen must be recorded in the company safety log and the individual must be excluded from site until cleared by a medical professional or jurisdictionally approved return-to-work protocol.
- Hierarchy of controls must be implemented: elimination (remote work where possible), engineering controls (ventilation upgrades, barriers, air purifiers), administrative controls (staggered shifts, capacity limits, hand hygiene stations), and PPE (face masks, gloves, eye protection as required by task and risk level). Controls must be documented in a site-specific outbreak response plan.
- Mandatory reporting of any positive case or outbreak cluster to the local public health authority and, where applicable, to WorkSafeBC or OSHA within the stipulated timeframe. The company must cooperate fully with contact tracing, case investigations, and any orders issued by public health officials.
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols for high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, handrails, breakroom counters, shared tools, vehicles) at least twice per shift. Cleaning logs must be audited weekly by the site supervisor and retained for a minimum of 90 days.
- All employees must complete annual outbreak awareness training covering transmission routes, proper hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, reporting obligations, and the company's specific escalation procedures. Training records must be maintained in the employee safety file.
- Chief Safety Officer (CSO) / Director of HSE: Owns and maintains the Pandemic Outbreak Plan; convenes the Outbreak Response Team; communicates with public health authorities; approves any changes to restrictions or return-to-work criteria.
- Site Supervisors / Area Managers: Implement and enforce daily screening, cleaning schedules, capacity limits, and PPE compliance on their shift; report any suspected or confirmed cases to the Outbreak Response Team within 2 hours.
- Employees & Contractors: Self-screen before each shift; report symptoms or known exposures immediately; comply with all hygiene, distancing, and PPE requirements; complete all required training modules.
- Human Resources: Manage leave, accommodation, and return-to-work documentation; ensure privacy and non-retaliation for employees who report illness or follow exclusion protocols; coordinate with benefits providers for sick leave and medical coverage.
- Facilities / Maintenance: Ensure ventilation systems meet minimum airflow standards; maintain adequate inventory of cleaning supplies, PPE, and hand sanitizer; perform daily sanitation of common areas.