Easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace: Committee of the Whole—July 8, 2020
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Context
A large proportion of the public service has transitioned to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government offices remain open and have been maintained for essential and critical workers to support Government of Canada efforts nationally. This situation is now evolving as some key service functions are incrementally increasing their presence in offices while remaining guided by regional public health agencies.
Suggested response
- Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is committed to providing its clients and employees with healthy and productive work environments
- Physical distancing and telework provisions are reducing general occupancy rates in buildings at this time, however, occupancy levels will begin to increase
- Preparatory measures for a safe return to the workplace are underway such as the maintenance and operation of building water systems and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, and signage/communication materials to promote physical distancing and traffic flow
- PSPC is working with client departments to determine their workplace requirements for supplies such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and other protective equipment as required
If pressed on telework arrangements:
- easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace will count on retaining a significant telework component as gradual increased office presence proceeds
- we continue to improve network infrastructure and bandwidth, and have been providing employees with mobility tools such as laptops, mobile phones and virtual collaboration platforms to ensure continued program delivery
If pressed on government building HVAC systems spreading COVID-19:
- Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has indicated that the virus is not known to spread through ventilation or water systems, PSPC will continue to monitor ongoing research in this area
- PSPC implemented additional measures and continues to ensure that building systems, including HVAC systems, are properly operated and maintained to ensure healthy work environments
- air distributed into the occupied spaces by central HVAC system(s) promotes appropriate air circulation and the removal of fine particles that are suspended in the air
Background
PSPC continues to expand its body of guidance to departments to support them in their plans for easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace.
Easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace plans are being elaborated based on the client’s nature of work, the functions to support services provided to Canadians, and the current configurations of workplaces. The implementation of key practices include physical distancing for workstations, gathering rooms, and pathways for circulation within the work areas, along with enhanced sanitation measures for workers including hand sanitizer and wipes for workspaces supported by guidelines recommended by the public health authorities. Further, as other key employment infrastructure elements progressively resume, such as small businesses, schools and daycares, easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace strategies will continue to require balancing office work with teleworking, sustaining and improving network infrastructure and bandwidth, and providing employees with access to mobility tools such as laptops, screens, mobile phones and virtual collaboration platforms to ensure continued program delivery.
PSPC continues to consult with bargaining agents, liaise with the Treasury Board Secretariat for employer guidance and with Health Canada to determine appropriate cleaning and building maintenance protocols for our buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PSPC continues to monitor ongoing research regarding workplace design and is prepared to recommend changes to implementations, if required and supported by science, for reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in workspaces.
Next steps
The department continues its engagement with central agencies, clients and our bargaining agents to collaborate on guidance. PSPC will also continue to advance procedures to ensure healthy and productive work environments for the easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace in our buildings as guidance evolves.
Media article on the spread of COVID-19 through ventilation systems
Research is ongoing into the methods of transmission for COVID-19. PHAC has indicated that the virus that causes COVID-19 is not known to spread through ventilation or water systems. PSPC will continue to monitor ongoing research in this area and be prepared to implement, if required, new measures for reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in our buildings that are supported by science.
The HVAC systems in PSPC buildings are typically centrally located and do not distribute air into the occupied zones at high velocity. The air that is distributed into the occupied spaces by the central HVAC systems promotes appropriate air circulation and removal of fine particles that are suspended in the air.
In response to COVID-19, PSPC has implemented the following additional HVAC measures to enhance occupant wellness in our buildings. These measures are in keeping with industry guidance such as from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and consultation with Health Canada:
- increasing the amount of outdoor air being provided to the space above code requirements
- increasing the hours of operation of the HVAC systems to promote increased dilution of contaminants and improved air circulation that promotes removal of fine particles
- ensuring appropriate temperature and humidity levels in occupied spaces to promote occupant comfort and wellness
- ensuring appropriate filtration is installed
- ensuring that there is no potential cross contamination between washroom exhaust air and ventilation airflow
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