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WorkSafeBC

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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - General Safety

Patient Handling | General Ergonomics | Violence | Infectious Disease |
Home Care | Chemical and Physical Hazards | General Safety |

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the health care industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

WorkSafeBC Health Care Sector Resource List

This resource list contains information on topics specific to health care and social assistance employers and workers. For example, musculoskeletal (MSI) and ergonomics, violence, needlestick injuries, infectious diseases, etc.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (4.5 MB)
Dated: February 2009

Working with Dementia: Safe Work Practices for Caregivers new item

The video consists of a series of modules that describe how to care for people with dementia. The introductory module provides general information on dementia. The remaining modules use enactments to portray situations that caregivers may encounter when caring for a person with dementia. They show caregivers how to respond to similar situations in order to stay safe and support the person with dementia.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Videos
Dated: October 2009

Be sure... Be safe. Safety in the Healthcare Workplace

WorkSafeBC presents three new videos that illustrate the hazards of working alone in the community with aggressive and potentially violent patients, patient handling activities, and needle use. Each video segment portrays situations care workers might encounter on the job.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Videos
Dated: May 2008

Surgical masks are NOT respirators

Surgical masks and disposable respirators have a similar appearance and both provide a barrier that covers your nose and mouth; however, there is a great deal of difference in the protection they provide.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (140 KB)
Dated: July 2009

Personal Protective Equipment Information Sheets by Industry - Health Care

A series of information sheets have been developed to provide a simple, clear format to help explain how to select, use, and maintain personal protective equipment.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
*HTML

Delirium in the Older Person: Family Guide (DVD)

Vancouver Island Health Authority's MultiMedia Services and Mental Health & Addiction Services collaborated to produce "Delirium in the Older Person: Family Guide" a DVD about delirium.
Source: Vancouver Island Health Authority MMS
* HTML
* More delirium resources from Vancouver Island Health Authority.

New Worker Orientation Checklist for Health Care and Social Services

This checklist provides the employer's responsibilities and the worker's rights.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC and OHSAH
* PDF (275 KB)
Updated: October 2007

Chemical Protective Clothing - Glove Selection

Describes how to choose the right material for the job. A guide to the selection of skin protection is provided, as well as diagrams showing how to test rubber or synthetic gloves for leaks.
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
* HTML

Occupational Hazards in Long Term Care

"Today nursing homes and personal care facilities employ approximately 1.7 million workers at 21,000 work sites. Among U.S. industries, they have the fourth highest rate of nonfatal injury or illness cases."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
* HTML

Hospital eTool

"There are many occupational health and safety hazards throughout hospitals. This eTool* focuses on some of the hazards and controls found in the hospital setting, and describes standard requirements as well as recommended safe work practices for employee safety and health."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
* HTML

How to Implement a Formal Occupational Health and Safety Program BK14

This booklet offers a comprehensive program plan, valuable to both employer and employee, but especially to occupational health and safety committee members.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (415 KB)
Updated: May 2008

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