Message from the President

COVID-19 Update May 2020

Hello again friends, Reinforcing Steel Institute of Canada members, associates and customers.

We would like to start by saying thank you again to our front line essential service workers for everything they are doing to keep us safe and healthy. To our health care workers, delivery personnel, food services and supply chain industries, construction workers and everyone else helping keep our economy running and Canadian’s safe – thank you.

The RSIC continues to support every effort by the Federal and Provincial governments to help flatten the curve.

There are a few updates we’d like to announce as we continue to navigate through these times of uncertainty.

Firstly, the RSIC Ontario annual golf tournament, originally scheduled for May 28th has been officially cancelled. We have rescheduled the event for May 27, 2021 at Glen Abbey Golf Course. Though a long way off, it is something we can all look forward to.  Please put it in your calendars and keep an eye out for updates as they become available.

Similarly, we’ve been forced to cancel the 2020 RSIC Western Canadian golf tournament which has been rescheduled for June 2021 at the Blackhawk Golf Club in Edmonton. Please keep an eye out for updates and we’ll provide more information when we have it.

Though it’s still too early to make a definitive decision on the 2020 Annual General Meeting, there is discussion of cancelling this year’s Niagara Falls based event and potentially hosting an online conference. Again, our ability to host this event in person will depend on the rules and recommendations put in place by Health Canada. We will provide more information and details as we have them.

Lastly, we’d like to share some important information from the Government of Ontario below.

QUICK COVID-19 UPDATE AND FACTS

• The Ontario Government’s Guidelines for construction are available here.
• Ontario recently doubled the capacity of Ontario’s Health and Safety Call Centre to 50 phone lines to deal with a large increase in calls.
• As of April 29, inspectors had completed 5,158 workplace visits and issued 1,822 orders, including 18 stop-work orders, related to COVID-19.
• Find the new Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Guidelines here.
• Learn more about A Framework for Reopening our Province.
• Learn more about the first phase of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19.
• See how your organization can help fight COVID-19.
• Information and advice to help your business navigate the economy during COVID-19.
• Any worker who thinks they are working in unsafe conditions should report their concerns to Ontario’s Health and Safety Contact Centre, at 1-877-202-0008.
• Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
• Learn more about the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A CALL FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT 

The province is asking for support to help front line healthcare workers and first responders by encouraging donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) through the Ontario Together web portal.

Since the initial call to action was issued, The Province has had a significant response from the public and from Ontario businesses.

There is an ongoing need for PPE, including, but not limited to N95 respirators, surgical or procedure masks, face shields, eye protection, thermometers and gowns. We are reaching out to ask for continued help and donations.  The Province is seeking help to donate any available PPE, in any quantity. As an alternative, the Ontario Together portal lists products the province is interested in buying.

Please visit the Ontario Together web portal: Ontario Together: help fight coronavirus and make a contribution.

COVID-19 – STANDARDIZED PROTOCOLS FOR ALL CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION SITES

The Standardized Protocols for All Canadian Construction Sites outlines the best practices for construction sites in order to maintain the health and safety of all workers required to perform duties during the COVID-19 crisis. The protocols, which include prevention, detection and response measures, will minimize the impacts of the crisis and ensure business continuity in the construction industry. This is not a legal document. Some provinces and municipalities have implemented stricter measures than those found in this document, and contractors are responsible for compliance with the rules, regulations and practices required by the applicable authorities. At the end of this document, there are links to information from some of our partner associations and other industry stakeholders that are further tailored to province-specific requirements.

• The objectives of the Standardized Protocols are to:
• Prioritize the health and safety of workers and of their surrounding communities
• Apply recommendations and best practices from federal, provincial, and municipal public health authorities to construction site procedures
•  Establish and maintain a common COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan across construction sites
• Foster open communication amongst stakeholders and ensure a respectful work environment.

CLICK HERE for the full PDF.

Thank you as always for your continued support of the RSIC, and we look forward to seeing you all in person again soon.

Please stay safe, be healthy and keep in touch.

Best Regards,
Roger Hubbard
RSIC President