March 15th 2020

 

Pelagic Research Services remains dedicated to providing safe working conditions for employees, and has implemented several guidelines to ensure personal safety throughout the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak. This policy is based on the latest information available in the United States (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html) and Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html). This policy will be reviewed and updated accordingly as information becomes available and the situation progresses. 

 

Travel Policy

All non-essential business travel has been suspended, and work-related travel has been reassessed to determine whether the goals could be met at a later time or addressed via webinar. Pelagic’s services are considered essential in many cases, and thus, staff may need travel within the United States and Canada. Please refer to the Field Operations section of this document for more details. 

 

Field Operations Policy

At this time, Pelagic Research Services is committed to maintaining our domestic 2020 field schedule. We continue to prepare to deploy employees and equipment for expedition projects within the United States, Canada and elsewhere. The safety of our staff and vessel crew is our highest priority. Considerations for planned field work are ongoing, and will be continually reviewed and updated as the COVID‐19 situation progresses.

Because vessel operations are not usually compatible with current social distancing guidelines, risk associated with close contact will be alleviated by monitoring the activities of scientific and vessel crew before boarding. Additionally, sanitation and hygiene practices on the vessel will be enhanced and monitored. More specifically, the following criteria will be implemented for any personnel selected for the field crew:

  • For 2 weeks leading up to the expedition start date, all Pelagic field personnel will keep a daily log to monitor exposure and risk levels. Any subcontractors working under Pelagic will be in close and constant contact to ensure that similar precautions are being taken and that policies align.
  • All field personnel must complete and sign Pelagic’s Health Declaration, confirming their recent travel history and COVID‐19 exposure risk prior to participating in a field expedition.
  • If COVID-19 testing for an active or past infection is available prior to departure to the job site, all personnel will avail themselves to determine their status. If a test result returns a positive for COVID-19, personnel will be asked to remain at home and follow national guidelines for isolation. All staff whose tests show the presence of the antibody for COVID-19 will carry these results with them and not be subject to isolation requirements during operations. 
  • Any personnel travelling to the port of origin via airplane or long form travel will, upon arrival, transit to a hotel for isolation. All personnel will be housed in individual hotel rooms.  If testing is available, all staff will be checked for COVID-19. Personnel testing positive will follow national, state and/or provincial recommendations for isolation. All other personnel will continue isolation for 14 days. 
  • All personnel who live in close proximity to the port of mobilization and can drive in their personal vehicles will be required to self-isolate at home. A detailed activities log included daily temperature will be maintained. Family members present in their home will also be required to self-isolate with staff members. 
  •  All staff will complete a minimum of 14 day self-isolation, unless testing and client policies support clearing staff to the vessel with negative test results.
  • After a 14-day isolation period – staff will be cleared to begin operations and move to the vessel.  Additional measures will be taken prior to boarding, including reviewing Pelagic’s Health Declaration as well as body temperature scans upon arrival at the docks. 
  • Field crew will be kept to a minimum whenever possible to limit the amount of staff  onboard project vessel.
  • During offshore operations, all personnel will be required to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, which will be reported and documented daily. 
  • Personnel may be required to wear protective face masks, where deemed practical and that does not impact safe operations while working in close proximity with others.
  • Frequent and thorough cleaning routines will be established while onboard the vessel, including the sanitation of horizontal surfaces as well as high traffic touch points (grab bars, door handles, ladders, etc.)
  • In the case of an emergency onboard the vessel, Pelagic employees and field personnel will defer to the vessel crew’s emergency response plan. This will include any cases where a COVID-19 infection is suspected. 

 

This policy should be considered flexible and will be adjusted to adhere to the most current recommendations and guidelines from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Canada’s National Institutes of Health (NIH).