Ontario releases strict safety guidelines for businesses

The Government of Ontario has released strict safety guidelines to allow certain businesses in the province to reopen — including dealerships.

Published on April 30, the government said it worked closely with four provincial health and safety associations (HSAs) to create the guidelines which are meant to enforce the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

“We all want to reopen our businesses, services and favourite places across the province, but we must do it in a safe and responsible way,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “That’s why we are providing clear guidelines to employers, with practical measures to help them keep staff and customers safe while preventing the spread of COVID-19. By taking these steps, we will be prepared to get people back to work when the time is right.”

The documents specific to auto retail fall under the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS):

  • COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance for Service Managers, Service Technicians and other Vehicle Sales and Service Employees. (View the document here.)
  • COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance for Vehicle Sales and Service Sector. (View the document here.)

The guidelines offer recommendations to help businesses adapt to the COVID-19 environment, and touch on aspects such as:

  • Ways to ensure appropriate physical distancing (such as staggering shift times, using ground markings and barriers);
  • Changes to the workplace (installing plexiglass barriers, boot sanitizing trays, increasing the air intake on building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems); and
  • Promoting proper workplace sanitation, providing personal protective equipment, availability of hand sanitizer (and a place to dispose of sanitizing wipes), and enforcing hand-washing measures, to name a few.

Dealerships in Ontario are currently permitted to open their doors on May 4, by appointment only.

In Quebec, the CCAQ (La Corporation des concessionnaires automobiles du Québec) provided dealerships within the province with a strict protocol to ensure the health and safety of employees and customers. This document is largely what has allowed them to reopen their service departments (as of April 15) and showrooms (as of May 4, and May 11 for Montreal and Laval).

For more information, visit our resource page here.

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