“The more we care for the happiness of others, the
greater is our own sense of well being.”
-Dalai Lama

Virtual Tour of IPSFC

In compliance with WorkSafe BC our Covid-19 has been made available on our website.

Yvonne and I care deeply about the health and well being of our students safety and in all cases, we have gone above and beyond WorkSafe BC recommendations to ensure our students are not only safe, but feel safe while at the school. Our small family operated craft school has been dedicated to providing quality craft education for the aspiring amateur for more than 15 years; and it is our intention to reduce any unnecessary distractions so that our students and our staff can focus on the craft.

Coronavirus is transmitted via liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact.

The virus is not known to be airborne (e.g. transmitted through the particles floating in the air) and it is not something that comes in through the skin.

It can be spread by touch if a person has used their hands to cover their mouth or nose when they cough. That’s why we recommend you cough or sneeze into your arm and wash your hands regularly.

This information has been made available by: BC Centre for Disease Control

Inside Passage is a small school accepting only 9 students per term. Only registered students will have access to the school for their appropriate term date. Attendance will be monitored as well as any outside visitors, for contact tracing purposes. The maximum amount of people in the school at one time is 11. At this time, Inside Passage is not accepting visitors, but will resume visits when safe to do so. Deliveries will be directed to the front entrance but left at the door.

We have created a safe area at each bench providing barriers, as well as accessory tools to avoid the sharing atmosphere. Social distancing is mandatory whenever possible.

For additional protection, we have purchased high quality anti-fog face shields, which are very light and quite comfortable. Students will be provided with a face shield and will be expected to wear them during lectures in the machine room, or during demonstrations where social distancing is not practical. Students are asked to bring their own reusable/washable face mask. During consults, students will wear a face shield for the duration of the conversation.

Sanitize stations, as well as wash areas are in place and easily accessed. Students and workers will be encouraged and reminded to use these stations regularly. 

In keeping with our school operations the machine room doors are a “one way door system”, with newly applied push plates for easier cleaning. Areas within the machine room including the black consumable cabinets, the red rolling cart, all machines and accessory tools such as clamps, hand grinders and lamps, are areas of frequent contamination, students and workers will be required to use the sanitizer station provided before entering and upon leaving. 

Areas within the bench room such as the assembly table, the kitchen (including fridge, hot plate, toaster oven, microwave, kettle, and limited dishes) the outdoor picnic table/lunch area, are areas that are at risk to contaminated surfaces and close proximity of students. Students will be expected to social distance when possible, and enjoy our outdoor picnic table for their lunches and breaks.

Students should keep their own tools at their bench space and not spread out onto other surfaces. 

Inside Passage will have in place the daily cleaning schedule and list of jobs for each group. On day one of the term an orientation will be done on the expectation of cleanup and the safe and proper use of all cleaning supplies and tools. Cleanup will take place each day at 4:30 pm. Disposable gloves are available for that time, and masks should be worn given the small area and difficulty to social distance.

Two clean up groups will be announced and each student will remain in that group for the remainder of their term. Each group will have one week in the bench room and then  switch to one week in the machine room. This rotation will continue till the end of term. Each student is responsible for their own bench space, and to help with the end of day clean up.

In addition to our regular clean up duties, all door knobs and light switches, the key lock out box, window pulls, pencil sharpeners, brooms, dust pans, and garbage can lids will be wiped with a sanitizing agent after the initial clean is finished. And each machine cutting surface including switch area will be wiped with sanitizer after the machines have been vacuumed.

The washroom and plexiglass barriers will be cleaned by staff. These areas will be checked regularly and cleaned thoroughly at the end of the workday. Staff will also monitor high risk contamination areas and wipe regularly with a sanitizing agent throughout the day.

If students or workers are feeling sick they should stay home and self isolate for 10 days. If a test is available and a negative evaluation is discovered, the student or worker will be allowed back prior to the 10 day isolation. Students will be responsible to inform the school of their absence and reasons why. 

Symptoms may include:
Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Chills
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Headache
Muscle aches
Loss of sense of smell or taste
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Nausea or vomiting

If students or workers should start to feel sick during the work day, they will be asked to leave the facility and return home for isolation. If the symptoms are more serious, 911 will be called. A thorough cleaning will take place to disinfect any surfaces that may have been touched by the student or worker.

Information sheets have been posted for occupancy, and good hygiene practices.