Stretch
it out!
*Health
Promotion 101*
The Ontario Health
Promotion Resource System has developed a free course to help people
familiarize themselves with essential health promotion concepts. The
course is designed for all those who work to promote health, regardless
of professional designation.
Articles of Interest
Depression
is becoming an emerging concern in healthcare. The Healthcare
Benefit Trust has a paper entitled “Depression &
Work Function: Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health Care & the
Workplace” available to download from
OSHA
released "Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of
Victims from Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of Hazardous
Substances" in January 2005. View it
Do
you have news for the Health & Safety Update?
Email your stories,
comments and suggestions to update@ohsah.bc.ca
Project Update
Responding to Excessive and Aggressive Behaviours
Electrical Safety in Healthcare
The life you save could be your own!
WHITETM Database Enhances PEARS Module!
OSHTIP
of the Month
Success Factors for OH&S Training
Do you have a successful violence prevention initiative or program in your workplace? Share it with the BC healthcare community! OHSAH and the WCB will be hosting a violence prevention conference on June 7, 2005 in Richmond, BC. The conference will include a poster display on initiatives taking place around the province, showcasing successes and best practices. Contact Tina at OHSAH for more information and stay tuned to the Update for conference details.
Responding
to Excessive and Aggressive Behaviours
Excessive and aggressive behaviours by residents are a significant issue in complex care settings, with serious repercussions for resident quality of life and the mental and physical health of staff. A pilot project is currently underway in Fraser Health to address this issue. The project is innovative in that it supports the integration of clinical and occupational health and safety perspectives in responding to excessive and aggressive behaviours by residents.
On January 24, 2005,
findings from initial focus groups and surveys were presented to a forum
attended by 65 clinical and OH&S leaders from Fraser Health, WCB,
OHSAH, healthcare unions, and Healthcare Benefit Trust. Participants were
invited to strategize how to effectively implement best practices in a
practical way in multiple facilities within the complex care sector. Results
from the forum are expected to be available in the coming months. Please
visit the
The
life you save could be your own!
Electricity is a part of our daily life. We tend to take it for granted, but electricity can also pose considerable danger. In the workplace, it is everyone’s responsibility to be the eyes and ears for those who may not be aware of the risk.
Staff may be exposed to electrical hazards in a variety of forms. To reduce the risk you should always:
- Make sure electrical cords are in good shape by looking for wear near both ends.
- Never take a ground prong (the round one) off on a grounded three-prong cord or any electrical appliance to “make it fit”!
- Be aware of furniture or equipment that may be squishing cords against the wall.
- Remember to never exceed the recommended rating of your power bar or extension cord and make sure that you use a “breaker” type power bar.
- Ensure heat-producing appliances like oxygen generators are away from drapery and combustibles.
- Ensure portable electric heaters at your facility have “Tip-over protection” that shuts off the power if the appliance is accidentally bumped over.
Talk about electrical hazards with your OH&S Committee team! When respected, electricity can do what it was designed to do – make our lives more comfortable and enjoyable.
This article was contributed by Jason Baerg, part of the Maintenance Department at Maplewood House Society.
The WHITE database
is now tracking operations of the PEARS (Prevention and Early Active Return-to-work
Safely) program in an enhanced PEARS module. The existing secondary prevention
module was upgraded and launched as the PEARS module in December 2004
and is currently being tested in PEARS-participating facilities with access
through the WHITE database. This 
user-friendly
module has replaced the previous PEARS data collection system and aims
to streamline work processes in PEARS as well as provide a platform for
better integration of PEARS into existing health authority occupational
health and safety processes. Enhanced reporting capabilities, evaluation
and ease of use have generated positive feedback.
New features include the ability to track worker assessments (e.g. physiotherapists or physician visits), ergonomic workplace assessments, flagging of key features for reminders, and enhanced security features. This module has boundless potential for improving upon tracking, evaluation, and management of injuries and proactive cases. This new and exciting module will further promote the integration of primary and secondary efforts towards injury prevention and early return to work.
For
more information on the
For
more information on the WHITE Database, download the
Success Factors for OH&S Training
Occupational health and safety (OH&S) training, ranging from first-aid training, to job or task training and ergonomics training, is one type of intervention used to improve the on-the-job safety of workers. However, the effectiveness of training is a subject of debate, with a variety of factors necessary to ensure success. The OSHTips section of the OHSAH website has a literature review which outlines what makes effective OH&S training.
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.