New
Shield Yourself Poster!
*Readers
Survey*
Thank you to all
those who took the time to give us your feedback! If you have not had
a chance to do so yet, we would still like to hear your comments and
suggestions.
News
from Around the Province...
Fraser
Health is participating in a free mental health education day
on October 7 in recognition of Mental illness Awareness Week. Amongst
other events, the day includes a forum on dealing with stress in the
workplace.
Article
of Interest “Building
healthy organizations takes more than simply putting in a wellness program”
by Graham S. Lowe. Learn about how to create healthy workplaces and
treat the symptoms of poor worker health.
Do
you have news for the Health & Safety Update?
Email your stories,
comments and suggestions to update@ohsah.bc.ca
PEARS Update
Effectiveness of an integrated prevention and return-to-work program
Block-by-Block Workshop
Resources and Handouts now available via the web
ABC
and D's of Fire Extinguishers
Take fire safety seriously!
OSHTIP of the Month
Personal Protective Equipment
*Flu Season*
The Flu Season is fast approaching!
The
Flu season is coming and it is time to once again get your influenza vaccination.
Effectiveness
of an integrated prevention and return-to-work program
The Prevention
and Early Active Return-to-work Safely Program (PEARS) is an integrated
musculoskeletal injury (MSI) prevention, early intervention, and return
to work process. Its overall purpose is to reduce the incidence, duration,
time loss, and related costs of workplace MSIs through early intervention
and prevention strategies. PEARS has been running for over two years now
and is currently providing services to employees in over 50 facilities
in 5 health authorities around the province.
The evaluation of the PEARS pilot at Vancouver General Hospital revealed
that the program helped to return workers back to their regular duties
in a shorter period of time. It successfully reduced total compensation
costs, particularly among registered nurses and health sciences professionals.
We are now working on evaluating other PEARS programs as they complete
their first year of operation.
Resources
and Handouts now available via the web
“Block by Block: Building an Effective Health and Safety Program” was an exciting one day workshop sponsored by OHSAH. This workshop was filled with interactive sessions, health and safety resources, and opportunities to network and exchange ideas with other healthcare stakeholders and safety professionals. Two hundred and forty people from 110 affiliate facilities attended the 8 workshop sessions.
All handouts from the workshop are now available online via the OHSAH website.
Take fire safety seriously!
We all know what a fire extinguisher is, but do YOU know how to use one? Used properly, a fire extinguisher can save lives and property by extinguishing a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. Used improperly, an extinguisher can endanger you and those around you by making the fire worse! It is therefore very important to understand which type of fire extinguisher to use for each type of fire and how to use it.
There are 3 main types of fire extinguishers:
- Water Extinguishers should be used on Class A fires (ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth and rubber).
- Carbon Dioxide extinguishers are designed for Class B (flammable liquids such as gasoline, grease, oil and paint) and Class C (energized electrical equipment such as wiring, computers, fuse boxes and appliances) ONLY.
- Dry Chemical fire extinguishers usually come with “ABC” labels, which can put out most types of fires. They are sometimes labelled “BC” which indicates it can put out more of a grease/electrical fire than a type A fire.
The best technique to fight a fire can be remembered by the acronym “PASS”:
- Pull the pin
- Aim the extinguisher
- Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent
- Sweep the nozzle, aiming at the base of the fire with a side to side motion and working towards the center of the fire.
If you see a fire: Activate a local fire alarm (pull station). Assist anyone in immediate danger. Only when the first two are completed should you attempt to put out the fire. Remember to keep your back to an escape route! If you have any doubt about fighting a fire- DON’T! Instead, get out, closing doors and windows behind you to slow the spread of the fire, and let the professionals do their job.
Please take Fire Safety seriously, a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds! The life you save may be your own!
Thank you to Jason Baerg from the Maplewood House and MSA Manor Society for contributing this article.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is exactly what the name suggests – any equipment worn that protects workers from job-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. If substitution, engineering, and work practice controls (e.g. working in a fume hood when dealing with harmful substances) are in place, but the risk is not completely eliminated, appropriate PPE must be worn to minimize the probability and consequences of an accident. The OSHTips section of the OHSAH website contains information, such as the different types of PPE, who is responsible for providing it, and when it should be used.
Visit
Tel: (604) 775 - 4034 or toll free (800) 359 - 6612
Fax: (604) 775 - 4031
Web:
This email and any files transmitted with it may be confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of OHSAH. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. OHSAH accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.