As part of its efforts to support member firms grappling with the unique circumstances the industry is currently facing, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada has introduced new guidelines to help answer questions related to health and safety and the safe operation of job sites during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This guidance document outlines the recommended best practices for mechanical contractors to maintain the health and safety of their workers, and other individuals who may be impacted by their work, while performing their necessary duties during the current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic.

The objectives of this guidance document are as follows:

• Prioritize the health and safety of workers, other individuals, and the surrounding communities.
• Assist stakeholders with recommended best practices from federal, provincial and municipal health authorities.
• Establish and maintain a robust SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 work plan across multiple facilities.
• Promote and foster a healthy and safe work environment for all involved individuals.

The guide was developed in consultation with experts at OHS Global Risk Solutions.

It is important to note that this guide was developed to assist MCAC and its contractor members to develop their own safety policies and procedures to deal with the COVID-19 issue, and does not supersede any guidelines, protocols or best practices implemented by any level of government.

In an effort to help you manage your business through this complex and challenging time, we at MCA Canada have created a dedicated page on our website that is filled with important resources and information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

There, you'll find recordings of our latest webinars on:

• Dealing with Labour Issues during COVID-19,
• Cyber Security, IT and Remote Working, and
• Operational Health and Safety in the Age of COVID-19.

You'll also find a list of frequently asked questions for employers, including:

• The latest updates on the COVID-19 economic response plan
• How do I fill out records of employment stemming from COVID-19?
• How has the work-sharing program been modified to address COVID-19?
• What is the temporary wage subsidy?

Look for this information and much more, and check back often for updates.

Source: Historynet.com

1199: English King Richard I is killed by an arrow at the Siege of the Castle of Chalus in France.
1789: The First U.S. Congress begins regular sessions at Federal Hall in New York City.
1814: Granted sovereignty in the island of Elba and a pension from the French government, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates at Fontainebleau. He is allowed to keep the title of emperor.
1830: Joseph Smith and five others organize the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Seneca, New York.
1862: Confederate forces attack General Ulysses S. Grant at Shiloh, Tennessee.
1865: At the Battle of Sailer's Creek, a third of Lee's army is cut off by Union troops pursuing him to Appomattox.
1896: The Modern Olympics begin in Athens with eight nations participating.
1903: French Army Nationalists are revealed to have forged documents to guarantee a conviction for Alfred Dreyfus.
1909: Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson become the first men to reach the North Pole.
1917: The United States declares war on Germany and enters World War I on Allied side.
1924: Four planes leave Seattle on the first successful flight around the world.
1938: The United States recognizes Nazi Germany's conquest of Austria.
1941: German forces invade Greece and Yugoslavia.
1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes the use of ground troops in combat operations.