






Our WorkSafe BC COVID-19 Safety Plan – Modo Yoga East Vancouver
Step 1: Assess the risks at your workplace
- We have consulted WorkSafe BC, frontline workers, supervisors.
- We have identified areas where people gather, such as our lounge area, front desk, and changerooms.
- We have identified job tasks and processes where workers are close to one another or members of the public.
- We have identified the tools, machinery, and equipment that workers share while working.
- We have identified surfaces that people touch often, such as doorknobs, faucets, and light switches.
Step 2: Implement protocols to reduce the risks
- We have reviewed industry-specific protocols on worksafebc.com to determine whether any are relevant to your industry.
- We have liaised with frontline workers, supervisors, and the joint health and safety committee (or worker representative).
- We have reviewed orders, guidance, and notices issued by the provincial health officer and relevant to your industry.
- We have reviewed our health and safety association or other professional and industry associations.
Reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission
1st level protection: Limit the number of people at the workplace and ensure physical distance whenever possible
Measures in place:
Occupancy Limit:
- Occupancy limited to no more than 14 people in a class (13 students and one teacher) and 3-4 people in a changeroom at a time.
- We’ve moved/removed furniture to give more area in our lounge and front desk space.
- 2-meter physical distancing reminders posted throughout our space.
- 2-meter physical distancing numbered markers in the yoga studio
Work Schedules:
- We’ve reduced the amount of classes we have on our schedule and length of classes.
- Managers work from home whenever possible.
- All classes have a 45 min break between them so students can leave from one class, we can disinfect the whole space, and then students arrive for the next class.
Changes to Tasks:
- Teachers do NOT leave their yoga mat during a class.
- Breathing exercises that expel more droplets into the room are not being taught. Also any big exhales through the mouth are discouraged.
- Desk staff assist volunteers with cleaning and are in charge of higher traffic areas like the front desk.
Facility Changes:
- Lounge area and shoe area has been reorganized to give more space. Some furniture has been removed.
- We’ve installed a touch-less water bottle filler.
- Clients are encouraged to bring minimal belongings.
- We’ve created an entrance and exit door to our studio so we have only one-way traffic into the room.
- Doors to the studio are propped open before and after class.
- Front door to outside is propped open if the weather permits and we also have hand sanitizer available outside the front door.
- We’ve lowered the temperature in our yoga studio to reduce respiratory rates.
- The use of fans and opening windows are only done between classes.
Equipment:
- We switched over to paper towels in our changerooms
- We’ve removed items like hair dryers, hair elastics, etc from changerooms
- We stopped rentals of towels, mats, and yoga props
- We’ve installed a new touch-less water bottle filling station
2nd level protection: Barriers and partitions
Measures in place:
- A plexiglass barrier has been installed around the reception front desk area
3rd level protection: Rules and guidelines
Measures in place:
Client Rules and Guidelines
- Clients are instructed to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to class and must leave within 15 min after class ends.
- Clients are asked to wait at the front door before they’re directed to enter.
- Clients are required to wear a mask within our space. Once they are on their yoga mat and safely distanced they have the option of removing it during class.
- Client are asked to self-access for COVID symptoms prior to coming to the studio.
- Clients are encouraged to purchase passes, etc. online for contactless payment.
- Clients are required to book classes online. We do not accept drop ins at this time.
- Clients are required to bring their own yoga mat, towel, and props. No rentals are available.
Staff Rules and Guidelines
- Staff arrive prior to clients and perform hand hygiene and put on their mask.
- Staff will aid volunteers in disinfecting the studio throughout their shift.
4th level protection: Using masks
Measures in place:
Who will use PPE such as masks?
- All staff and clients are required to wear masks throughout the studio including during class.
- If required we have disposable masks for anyone that’s forgotten theirs.
Reduce the risk of surface transmission through effective cleaning and hygiene practices
- We have reviewed the information on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
- Our workplace has enough handwashing facilities on site for all our workers. Handwashing locations are visible and easily accessed.
- We have signs that encourages good hand hygiene posted at handwashing locations. Frequent handwashing and good hygiene practices are essential to reduce the spread of the virus.
- We have implemented cleaning protocols for all common areas and surfaces.
- Workers who are cleaning have adequate training and materials.
- We have removed unnecessary tools and equipment to simplify the cleaning process – e.g., coffee makers and shared utensils and plates
Cleaning Protocols:
- After every class we disinfect with Benefect or Hydrogen Peroxide:
- studio floor
- faucets, door handles, toilets, sinks
- cubbies and benches in lounge and changerooms
- front desk including chairs
- Classes are scheduled 45 min apart so everyone from one class leaves the building, we clean the whole space, and then we reopen for the next class
* Click here for our full cleaning protocols
Step 3: Develop policies
- Our workplace policies ensure that workers and others showing symptoms of COVID-19 are prohibited from the workplace:
- Anyone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days. Symptoms include fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and new muscle aches or headache.
- Anyone directed by Public Health to self-isolate.
- Anyone who has arrived from outside of Canada or who has had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.
- Our policy addresses workers who may start to feel ill at work. It includes the following:
- Sick workers should report to first aid, even with mild symptoms.
- Sick workers should be asked to wash or sanitize their hands, provided with a mask, and isolated. Ask the worker to go straight home. [Consult the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool, or call 811 for further guidance related to testing and self-isolation.]
- If the worker is severely ill (e.g., difficulty breathing, chest pain), call 911.
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces that the ill worker has come into contact with.
Step 4: Develop communication plans and training
- We have a training plan to ensure everyone is trained in workplace policies and procedures.
- All workers have received the policies for staying home when sick.
- We have posted signage at the workplace, including occupancy limits and effective hygiene practices.
- We have posted signage at the main entrance indicating who is restricted from entering the premises, including visitors and workers with symptoms.
- Supervisors have been trained on monitoring workers and the workplace to ensure policies and procedures are being followed.
Step 5: Monitor your workplace and update your plans as necessary
- We have a plan in place to monitor risks. We make changes to our policies and procedures as necessary.
- Workers know who to go to with health and safety concerns.
- When resolving safety issues, we involve all staff.