Published 30 November 2020. Revised 22 February 2021.

Overview

Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC) has developed the following COVID-19 Safety Plan to communicate the measures that have been taken in order to stop the spread and keep all WWFC staff, students and visitors safe and healthy while continuing to operate. The following plan includes identified risks, mitigation, exposure procedure, new business operating procedures and communications.

This plan has been developed in reference to restrictions, regulations and resources provided by the Government of Ontario, Public Health Ontario, Region of Waterloo Public Health, Public Health Agency of Canada, and Air Transport Association Canada (ATAC).

Strict adherence to this plan will reduce the likelihood of an outbreak at WWFC and the need for further restrictions. Questions and comments can be directed to the General Manager, Bob Connors at bconnors@wwfc.ca or 519-648-2213.

Risks

Understanding the Risks

To mitigate the risks at WWFC, it is important to understand them. Mainly, the risks are related to how the virus spreads.

COVID-19 can be spread in two main ways:

The risk of getting COVID-19 is higher if you:

The risk of severe health outcomes is not the same for all workers. The risk increases with age and is higher for people with certain medical conditions. It is possible for the virus to be spread by people who do not have any symptoms, so it is important to act as if everyone is infected and mitigate the risk accordingly.

Controlling COIVD-19 Risks at WWFC

A variety of measures have been put in place at WWFC to help control the risks. These are used to help break the chain of transmission of the virus and to keep everyone safe.

Measures include:

Details about these measures, including responsibilities are included in the Mitigation section of this plan.

Mitigation

Measures to reduce the risk

WWFC practices many measures of mitigation to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the building. The following are in affect:

A temperature check is also administered by a WWFC representative for everyone entering the building after completing the survey to ensure the person’s temperature is not more than 37.8 degrees Celsius.

Each person must also wear a mask or face shield before entering, wash and/or sanitize their hands regularly and practice physical distancing as much as possible while at WWFC.

Staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to use the online assessment tool provided by the Government of Ontario. If they have any symptoms of the virus, they should get tested and isolate until they receive a result. They are then invited to come back to WWFC provided they have followed the Public Health guidelines.

We have established workstations and briefing stations with Plexiglas if one-on-one meetings are needed. Administrative offices also keep doors closed to restrict exposure. All areas that used to have seating (i.e. lunchroom, dispatch waiting area, administration waiting area) have been closed and are no longer used to restrict people from congregating.

Classrooms have been modified to allow for physical distancing. Class sizes are also adjusted as per the current government regulations and zoning restrictions. WWFC has moved 80% of ground school, tutorials, and classes online via Zoom.

Instructors also use an electrostatic fogger after each class to sanitize the room and high touch point areas. Professional cleaners also clean the high touch point areas and washrooms 2-3 times a week.

Aircraft and simulators are also sanitized before and after each flight by the student and/or instructor as per the instructions in each plane. WWFC also no longer rents headsets. Each pilot and/or passenger is required to bring their own to reduce the risk of spread.

When exiting the building, everyone must use the exit door at Dispatch and go to the gate at the parking lot or use the exit door by administration after using a classroom upstairs or a simulator.

Exposure

Procedure for potential case or suspected exposure to COVID-19

If someone at WWFC (staff, student, visitor, etc.) is exposed to COVID-19 or receives a positive test, the following steps should be taken:

  1. Person must call Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400 (or their local public health location) immediately.
  2. Contact WWFC General Manager, Bob Connors at bconnors@wwfc.ca or 519-648-2213 to advise the situation. The person will be asked to get tested (if they haven’t already) and follow their public health unit’s directives. 
  3. WWFC will also contact Region of Waterloo Public Health in the case of a positive test.
  4. Person(s) must follow Public Health direction – i.e. testing, self-isolation and return-to-work.
  5. WWFC will inform any workers who may have potentially been exposed and share information with public health prior to resumption of activities.
  6. Entire WWFC facility, high touch points and aircraft (if applicable) will be sanitized and disinfected.

New Business Operating Procedures

Management of any new risks caused by changes to WWFC operations due to COVID-19

WWFC has developed new or adjust procedures to provide a safe and healthy environment for all staff, students, and visitors. These include:

Enhanced cleaning and sanitization of all aircraft and simulators is frequently completed daily. Each aircraft and simulator are sanitized before and after each flight as per specific instructions, which were shared with staff and students upon reopening and are stored in each plane and simulator.

Communications

Sharing information, updates, and communications tools

WWFC has worked hard to communicate with staff, students, and clients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Communications materials used include enewsletters and notices, signage, website, and social media, as well as virtual staff meetings and student meetings. Any important news or changes to operations are immediately shared.

Enewsletters are distributed bi-weekly, with special notices sent out as required. Virtual staff meetings are also held monthly via Zoom where the General Manager provides an update on WWFC news and happenings, as well as any other information as required (government subsidies, health and safety, procedures, etc.).

Virtual information meetings have been held with each class, as well as one-on-one progress report meetings with students where they have been updated about WWFC news and operations, as well as provided an opportunity to ask questions or state concerns.

Public Health and specific WWFC health and safety signage has also been posted around the building about wearing a mask, practicing physical distancing and proper hand washing.

Plan Assessment

Measuring how the plan is working

New government and public health directives and regulations are closely monitored by WWFC management and the Health & Safety Committee. Discussion and required modifications are conducted monthly or more often if needed. The goal is to have minimal to zero cases at WWFC. The COVID-19 Safety Plan is updated as required to reflect any new changes and communications to staff, students and visitors provided.

Contacts & Resources

The following can be utilized for more information about COVID-19, as well as health and safety measures.

Contacts

Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre

Bob Connors, General Manager

T: 519-648-2213

E: bconnors@wwfc.ca W: wwfc.ca

Region of Waterloo Public Health

T: 519-575-4400

W: regionofwaterloo.ca/en/public-health-and-emergency-services

Ontario Public Health

T: 647-260-7100

TF: 877-543-8931 W: publichealthontario.ca

Government of Ontario

T: 866-797-0000 (TeleHealth) W: covid-19.ontario.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada

TF: 844-280-5020 W: canada.ca/en/public-health

Government of Canada

W: canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

World Health Organization

W: who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Resources