Report Positive Covid Case?

[vickyp]

#102808

Hi there, 
Do we need to report a Covid-19 case to the Canadian equivalent of OSHA’  And if so who would that be’
 
Thank you

[vickyp]

#103263

Generally, NO, employers don’t have to report COVID cases UNLESS they’re directly related to work, i.e., workers contracted virus directly from work exposure.
There are 2 potential reporting responsibilities and the above rule applies pretty much to both:

1. Reporting COVID Cases to Local Public Health Authorities as Part of COVID Orders: That varies depending on the COVID guidelines of your local public health authority. See rule above
2. WorkSafeBC under OHS Laws: Same rule. Here are the WorkSafeBC Guidelines

*****
When a worker contracts COVID-19 as a direct result of their employment, they are entitled to compensation if the following conditions are met:

1. Evidence that the worker has contracted COVID-19, either:
   • a medical diagnosis in a medical report, or
   • non-medical factual evidence where other evidence establishes the existence of COVID-19.
2. The nature of the worker’s employment created a risk of contracting the disease significantly greater than the ordinary exposure risk of the public at large.

A work-related example would be an acute care hospital worker, who is treating patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In these cases, they are at greater risk than the general public of contracting the disease.
Claims submitted for COVID-19 contracted through a work-related exposure are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. WorkSafeBC will look at details such as whether the worker has a diagnosis of COVID-19, their symptoms, and their employment activities.
If you believe your employee contracted COVID-19 while at work, you should file a Form 7 to determine if the employee is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
When do I report a case of COVID-19 to WorkSafeBC’
Report it if it meets the specific criteria. As shown in the examples, if your employees are at significantly greater risk than the general public of contracting the virus while at work, and the employee loses time from work after contracting the virus, report the claim to WorkSafeBC.
However, if your employees are not at greater risk than the general public of contracting the infection, you do not need to file a report unless WorkSafeBC requests a report.
Does WorkSafeBC cover people for a quarantine or self-isolation period’
No. WorkSafeBC does not provide coverage for people who, on a precautionary basis, are quarantined, self-isolating or sent home.

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