For health workers in acute care, continuing care, and home and community care sectors, the hazards are diverse. They range from driving hazards in visiting home-care clients, to the many ergonomic challenges that come with the requirement to lift and transfer patients, to needle sticks and other biological hazards, and many more.
The healthcare and social services sector has the highest number of workplace injuries in Nova Scotia. In 2011, there were 1,562 lost time injuries. That is nearly 24 per cent of all lost time injuries in the province.
While that number is considerable, thanks to renewed focus on safety there has actually been a steady decrease in the number of injuries in the healthcare and social services sector. The 2011 results are actually down by 177 injuries compared to 2006.
Knowing that a strong, safe and healthy workforce is an organization’s most valuable resource, health employers need workplace health and safety programs that do everything possible to preventworkplace injury; and if an injury does occur, to return injured workers to work in a safe and timely manner.
The WCB is working very closely with industry leaders to help reduce the impact of injury in the sector through the Safe Lift and Transfers program with a number of major healthcare facilities.
AWARE-NS, the industry voice for workplace safety in Health and Social Services, offers a number of resources, education tools, and information to help reduce the impact of injury. Learn how to stay safe.
Health hazards and prevention tips:
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Does your workplace involve:
• exposure to infectious agents?
• exposure to sharps?
• working alone?
• working around or with agitated or
aggressive persons, patients or clients?
• lifting, moving, positioning patients?
• lifting and moving heavy loads?
• uneven, unstable, or slippery work surfaces
and areas?
• machinery with moving parts?
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PREVENTION
To control these hazards, assess and focus on:
• infection control protocols
• understanding and following safe work
practices for sharps and using proper
personal protective equipment (PPE)
• sharps stick prevention and protocols
• communication systems
• dangerous behaviour interventions
• mechanical lifts and safe lift systems
• ergonomic surveys of all working areas
• slip-resistant floors and work surfaces
• worker involvement in safe work design
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ERGONOMIC HAZARDS
Does your work involve:
• repetitive work motions?
• forceful motions of the back, shoulders,
arms and hands?
• awkward working positions?
• equipment that vibrates?
• long periods of standing?
• heavy and awkward materials and loads to
lift and transfer?
• difficult lifts, transfers and positioning
required for patient/client care?
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PREVENTION
To control these hazards, assess and focus on:
• understanding and following safe
work practices
• best practices for safe lifts and transfers
• required injury prevention training, ie. safe lift
and body mechanics
• safe work practices and use of PPE
• proper maintenance of equipment
• hazard assessment of work areas
and tasks
• appropriate equipment for lifting, moving,
and transferring
• worker involvement in safe work design
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ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Does your work involve exposure to:
• high noise levels?
• chemicals or toxic fumes?
• radiation?
• bio-hazardous materials?
• infectious agents?
• high levels of stress & fatigue?
• hazards in private homes and
community settings?
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PREVENTION
To control these hazards, assess and focus on:
• understanding and following safe work
practices
• appropriate airflow and exhaust ventilation
• requirements for and provision of
WHMIS training
• proper equipment maintenance
• appropriate PPE and individual fit testing
• rigorous infection control program
• suitable break areas and times for staff
• hazard assessments of all work areas, including
private homes and community settings
• worker involvement in safe work design |