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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - Infectious Disease

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.

Controlling Exposure: Protecting Workers from Infectious Disease BK129 new item

Changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation in British Columbia have expanded the regulatory requirements for infectious diseases beyond blood and body fluids. Preventive action is now required for any infectious disease that is found in the workplace and may pose a risk to workers. Workers in healthcare are at greater risk of exposure to infectious diseases; however, the information in this publication is relevant to every industry in B.C.

This book describes common infectious diseases and how they are spread, and explains how to protect workers from exposure to infectious diseases. This book replaces the older publication HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C: Preventing Exposure at Work (BK38).
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1.9 MB)
Dated: March 2009
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Surgical masks are NOT respirators new item

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

Worker stuck by contaminated needle new item

A dental assistant was trying to remove the needle from a re-capped syringe. The syringe had been used to administer anaesthetic to a patient. When the assistant tried to remove the needle, the cap fell off. While trying to put the cap back on the needle, she pricked her finger.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Hazard Alert Injury 2009-07
Dated: May 2009

Stuck by a Needle

Needlestick injuries are the number one cause of high risk exposures to blood and body fluids for healthcare workers. See what to do if you are stuck by a needle.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Video (2 min 04 sec)

Stuck by a Needle Poster

This poster provides the reader with information on what to do if they are stuck by a needle.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (2 MB) Dated: June 2007
* PDF in Chinese (298 KB) Dated: November 2007

Are you required to use safety-engineered medical devices?

Are you required to use safety-engineered medical devices? This 1-page document provides information about the changes to WorkSafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) that comes into effect on October 1, 2008.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (912 KB)
Dated: July 2008

Influenza Transmission and the Role of Personal Protective Respiratory Equipment: An Assessment of the Evidence

This report represents the consensus findings of the Expert Panel (including Bob Janssen of WorkSafeBC) on Influenza and Personal Protective Respiratory Equipment.
Source: Council of Canadian Academies (Report in Focus)
* PDF (244 KB)
Dated: December 2007

Wash your hands (Poster) updated item

This poster is a quick reminder about the importance of washing your hands to help prevent the spread of infectious disease.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (866 KB) (English - brown colour) new item
* PDF (2 MB) (English - red colour)
* PDF (204 KB) (English - purple colour)
* PDF (124 KB) iLávese las Manos (Spanish)
Dated: July 2009

Washing Hands Saves Lives

Corrina Hellens, Occupational Health Nurse, demonstrates how to wash your hands properly to prevent the spread of infection in this slideshow
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Slideshow (2 min 29 s)

Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Tuberculosis in Canadian Health Care Facilities and Other Institutional Settings

"This document has been prepared to assist Canadian health care facilities and health care workers (HCWs) to develop and implement effective programs within their institutions to minimize transmission of the organisms that cause tuberculosis (TB)."
Source: Health Canada, Population and Public Health Branch
* HTML

Pandemic Planning

"This web site has helpful documents and tools to enable people to plan and be better prepared for an influenza pandemic. The information is organized by topics,resource types and audience to make it easy for people to find what they need."
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre Occupational Health and Safety)
* HTML

Protecting Health Care Workers from Infectious Diseases: A Self-Assessment Tool

"This assessment tool was developed to assist HCO's identify strengths and to provide opportunities for the enhancement of their occupational health program with respect to infection control. The goal of this tool is the protection of health care workers from the transmission of infectious diseases in the workplace. This tool does not address infection control issues related to patient safety."
Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
* HTML

Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in the Physician's Office

"Over the last 10 years several new viral pathogens have appeared in human populations both here in BC and abroad (Avian Influenza H5N1 and SARS-CoV). We have also seen the re-emergence of other well known infectious diseases such as measles and TB. It is time to reassess our current practice patterns and commit to a 'NEW STANDARD' for infection prevention and control in the outpatient setting."
Source: B.C. Centre for Disease Control
* PDF (339 KB)
Dated: October 2004

Infection Control

This online learning course is designed to provide healthcare workers with an understanding of Infection Control Basics. It will apply to any worker regardless of the care facility.
Source: OHSAH (Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare)
* HTML

TB Respiratory Protection Program in Health Care Facilities: Administrator's Guide

"This manual is designed to serve as a practical guide for those individuals responsible for initiating and running a TB respiratory protection program in health care facilities." Sample operating procedures are provided, as well as a step-by-step approach to developing a respiratory protection program.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
* HTML
Dated: September 1999

The Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet)

"The Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) was developed by Janine Jagger, M.P.H., Ph.D., and colleagues to provide standardized methods for recording percutaneous injuries and blood and body fluid contacts, in order to assist hospitals in complying with the OSHA record keeping requirements of the December 1991 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Hospitals can use the EPINet system to compare and share information and identify successful prevention measures."
Source: BD
* HTML

Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings - 2003

"This report consolidates recommendations for preventing and controlling infectious diseases and managing personnel health and safety concerns related to infection control in dental settings."
Source: Division of Oral Health, CDC
* HTML

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