Has the oil and gas sector been deemed an essential service?

The oil and gas sector is permitted to operate as it is critical to the maintenance of the province’s infrastructure.

Are oil and gas employees required to travel for work?

Employers should make every effort to communicate to employees the measures that are being taken to keep work places safe. Employees of oil and gas businesses, like all other employees, have the right to refuse unsafe work. Employees should not report to work if they feel ill, or if they have been directed to self-isolate for any other reason.

Are oil and gas employees allowed/permitted to travel to other provinces or countries for work purposes?

Yes. It is recognized that travel may be required for operational reasons. See Information for Travellers an Guidance for Essential Workers.

If an employee refuses to work due to COVID-19, can they still be paid?

Employers are not required to pay an employee who refuses to work due to COVID-19. Employees that are unable to work may qualify for the Government of Canada’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

Are workers coming from offshore required to self-isolate?

Workers travelling to and from the province to offshore oil installations off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador are considered to not have left the province by travelling to the offshore. These workers are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate as long as they are asymptomatic.

Are workers coming from out of province required to self-isolate before travelling to work offshore?

See Information for Travellers an Guidance for Essential Workers.

All employers of individuals arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador from a point of origin outside of Canada, even though their direct entry into the province is via another province or territory, must provide specifics of their plan to ensure that these individuals are able to comply with the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days following their arrival in the province. Guidelines are available here:
View Guidelines

Are workers returning from working in another province required to self-isolate?

See Information for Travellers an Guidance for Essential Workers.

Who is responsible for enforcing worker safety in the offshore industry?

The employer and the supervisor are responsible for worker safety. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) is responsible for verifying that operators have a prudent regime for achieving worker health and safety. Offshore workers with concerns about workplace safety may contact the C-NLOPB Safety Officer assigned to their facility or the Board’s Chief Safety Officer, with anonymity provided where requested. Members of the general public may obtain information from or express concerns in this regard to information@cnlopb.ca.

How can the oil and gas industry ensure a safe work environment during COVID-19?

All employers are encouraged to undertake a risk assessment within their work place to identify the work practices, and controls necessary to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Oil and gas businesses can help to ensure a safe workplace by:

• Requiring employees to stay home if they are sick;
• Requiring employees to stay home if they are mandated to self-isolate;
• Restricting visitors and limiting non-essential personnel to offices and worksites;
• Implementing physical distancing, wherever possible, while ensuring safety;
• Ensuring employees are frequently washing their hands and providing access to soap and hand washing stations or hand sanitizer for employees;
• Practicing proper respiratory etiquette (such as coughing into one’s elbow or a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue);
• Staggering start, break and end times for employees; and,
• Increasing the cleaning frequency of high touch areas, washrooms and lunch rooms (e.g., cleaning twice daily).

Guidance for office spaces is available at:

OVERALL GUIDANCE FOR WORKPLACES

Are employees required to wear a mask to protect against COVID-19?

Non-medical masks are required in indoor spaces.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has released a resource for businesses and employers regarding risk-informed decision making:

View Resource