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ArcelorMittal Dofasco and COVID-19: How we are managing

Our blog will be updated regularly to provide the latest information for how we are managing through the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is an update shared with our employees on March 30, 2020.

Following our first positive case, we want to reinforce that the actions we take are being taken in accordance with guidance from the Public Health Unit. We have since learned of an additional case with a third-party contractor on site in the Materials Handling and Logistics business unit. Response actions have and continue to be taken in both cases. When we learn of a case, actions are taken quickly and in accordance with best practices, including immediately informing team members and conducting a thorough disinfectant clean of the area. More information is also shared at the business unit level for those that need to know and where others may need to take additional precautions.

Our company Physician, Dr. Mike Pysklywec, also wanted to share the following with regards to our first cases:

“COVID-19 cases among Dofasco employees are inevitable during a pandemic. I know this is anxiety-provoking and it should highlight the need for infectious precautions.

There is a process in place for dealing with COVID-19 patients that have had contact in the workplace:

  • Any infected or suspected case of COVID-19 is immediately quarantined from work.
  • We contact the patient to fully understand the nature of their clinical condition, including source of infection, potential contacts, onset of disease, etc.
  • We immediately identify any significant contacts with the COVID-19 case. They will be sent home for self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days since last contact with the index case. We are erring on the side of caution and being aggressive about identifying potential contacts. At the same time, Public Health also conducts “contact tracing” with a focus on domestic and workplace exposures. Remember that infection spreads by respiratory droplet or by surface contact.
  • Cases are communicated to keep people informed. However, we cannot publicize patient names. It is unnecessary and a serious breach of confidentiality. I am confident that we are doing our jobs in sharing information appropriately and identifying contacts requiring self-isolation.

There are many challenging issues related to this pandemic, but we can work together to problem-solve them.