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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - General Safety 
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.
Health Care Injuries: Worse than you think (video)
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This video is an amusing look at the serious reality of injuries to BC's health care workers. View video (1 min 48 sec) |
Dementia: Understanding Risks and Preventing Violence BK125
The purpose of this book is to provide some understanding of how to prevent or minimize the risk of injury to workers when caring for people with dementia. It also provides the framework for incorporating the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation into clinical care.
Many people with dementia eventually experience significant cognitive losses. They may not be able to verbally communicate their physical or emotional discomforts, so they express their needs and emotions through behaviours, which may include hitting, grabbing or swearing.
In residential care, being struck or grabbed is the second most common cause of occupational injury of health care workers, after overexertion. In British Columbia, this accounts for more than 1,000 time-loss claims per year---many of which are related to caring for people with dementia.
Source: WorkSafeBC 
* PDF (957 KB)
Dated: October 2010
Your road to recovery: A guide for seriously injured workers BK53
If you've been seriously injured on the job, we're here to help you on your road to recovery. This booklet outlines how WorkSafeBC can assist you. Browse, peruse, and feel free to share this information with your family or anyone else who's helping you.
Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1.5 MB)
Dated: October 2010
"Stay On Your Feet" Posters
These posters are a reminder to extra take care and "stay on your feet". Slips and trips are the #2 cause of injury in health care.Source: WorkSafeBC
* Poster with black pavement (PDF 8.7 MB)
* Poster with beige flooring (PDF 7.8 MB)
Dated: January 2010
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
* PDF (4.7 MB)
Dated: Winter 2011
Working with Dementia: Safe Work Practices for Caregivers
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
* 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
* 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
* 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
*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
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
* PDF (415 KB)
Updated: May 2008
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