Community
Health Worker Handbook
This compact
handbook was made especially for those working alone and includes information
from emergency preparedness to violence. You may view a sample and order
one (free of charge for BC Healthcare) by contacting OHSAH today! You
may view a sample on the
Articles
of Interest
Shiftwork:
Health effects and solutions
Shiftwork
is work that extends beyond “normal” daylight hours (i.e.
9 AM to 5 PM). This document from the Occupational Health Clinics for
Ontario Workers, explores the negative impact that shiftwork may have
on workers, as well as recommendations for reducing these effects.Download
this resource
Do
you have news for the Health & Safety Update?
Email your stories,
comments and suggestions to update@ohsah.bc.ca
Violence
Prevention Network
What is the violence prevention intiative?
Project Update: Train-the-Trainer Resource Guide
Community
Care
Improving the Health and Safety of Community Health Workers Report
News from Across the Province
Resource:
High Risk Manual Handling of Patients in Healthcare
OSHTip
of the Month
Pointers for purchasing homecare equpiment
To learn more, visit
What's
the violence prevention intiative?
In 2004, over 500 healthcare
workers lost time from work as a result of injuries caused by violent
or aggressive acts. This accounted for approximately 8% of all healthcare
time-loss claims.
OHSAH and WorkSafeBC initiated the Provincial Steering Committee for the Prevention of Violent and Aggressive Behaviour in Healthcare. Its goal is to reduce the incidence of violent and aggressive behaviour in healthcare. The June 7, 2005 workshop helped generate a dialogue among the healthcare community, allowing for the discussion of ways in which the province can collaboratively reduce the issue of workplace violence and aggression.
OHSAH has also initiated a Violence Prevention Program to integrate the work of the committee and the results of the workshop. The agency currently provides a number of violence prevention resources and initiatives with more on the horizon. These modules are being developed in a highly collaborative way, consulting both the Provincial Steering Committee and Working Groups. Stay posted for updates!
For more information
on this violent and aggressive behaviour prevention initiative, visit
this section of the
The focus of this initiative is designed to provide under resourced areas with the necessary resources and tools to implement and evaluate a musculoskeletal injury (MSI) train-the-trainer education program. This resource guide will enable facilities to become self-sufficient in providing MSI education and training to staff and to be aware of the resources available through OHSAH and other health and safety organizations. It is designed to assist facilities in fulfilling the MSI educational requirements of WorkSafeBC.
Final edits on content
and materials have been incorporated and the manual is now under final
internal review. Discussions on packaging are in progress and the target
date for final print and dissemination is December 2005, in both CD and
online versions.
To learn more abut
this project and to view other projects, visit the
Improving the Health and Safety of Community Health Workers
The objective
of the homecare initiative was to evaluate the effectiveness of three
separate but linked interventions aimed at reducing injury rates among
Community Health Workers (CHWs): education and 
training
modules, a risk assessment tool and resource guide, and an equipment registry.
From 2002 through to early 2005, five home support agencies adopted one
or more of the interventions while one agency participated as a control
group. Analysis of injury data and questionnaires collected from that
period was finalized in July 2005. Results show that the injury rates
in CHWs were higher than reported rates for other healthcare related occupations,
and that the most common mechanisms for injury were overexertion and falls,
followed by exposures, violence, and allergic reactions.
OHSAH presented the
findings to the project steering committee and participants during a meeting
on September 6, 2005. At this time, participants indicated that the education
and training module, and other project tools, had a positive impact at
their agencies and that the materials were still in use. Another meeting
was held on October 25, 2005, to review and update the other intervention
strategies. Once finalized, they will be incorporated into the resources
OHSAH makes available to the healthcare industry.
To read the entire “Improving the Health and Safety of Community
Health Workers” report, visit the Community Healthcare section of
the
Top
Resource: High Risk Manual Handling of Patients in Healthcare
Many
patient handling and moving techniques present high risk of musculoskeletal
injury (MSI) to healthcare workers. This resource, provided by WorkSafeBC,
identifies risks associated with common patient transferring and repositioning
activities. In addition to a review of various techniques, the resource
also explores safer alternatives. To access this resource visit the
Pointers for purchasing homecare equpiment
There is an increasing amount of care being delivered in homes and in the community Community caregivers face a unique set of health and safety issues, including violence and risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in settings where ceiling-mounted lifts and other measures are not generally available. This OSHTip provides a series of 'pointers for purchasing' that will inform you of equipment features to avoid.
Visit
Tel: 778.328.8000
Fax: 778.328.8001
Web:
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