Occupational Health & Safety Awareness Training

Supporting a Healthy & Safe Workplace. OHSA Reg. 297/13

Why do I need this training?

The Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) includes an Occupational Health & Safety Awareness & Training Regulation. (O. Reg. 297/13)

The regulation requires that all workers and supervisors complete a basic health and safety training program to ensure they are aware of health & safety information as well as their rights and responsibilities.

Who am I & where do I fit in?

Here are some of the roles at GGH.

Note that a “Supervisor” role, also fall under a “Worker” role; giving supervisors twice the responsibilities under the OHSA.

Referred to as “Supervisor”

Hospital Board

CEO

VP

Also can be referred to as “Worker or staff”

Senior Director

Directors / Manager

Referred to as “Worker or staff”

“Supervisor” / Resource Nurse / Lead Hand / On-call “RP” / Charge Tech / etc.

Worker / Staff

Patient / Visitor / Volunteers

Not referred to in this document

Role Definitions under the OHSA

Employer (i.e. Guelph General Hospital): means a person who: • Employs one or more worker(s). • Contracts for the services of one or more workers.

Supervisor: means a person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker (formally or informally):

• At GGH, This could include a Director, Manager, Supervisor, Resource Nurse, Lead Hand, etc.

Worker: means a person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation.

Duties of an Employer (OHSA Sec. 25)

Here are some of the things the OHSA says employers (GGH) have to do as part of their job:

Take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of workers including, but not limited to: • Providing information, instruction and supervision to protect workers. • Ensuring knowledge & following of health & safety procedures. • Ensuring workers wear & use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Develop and implement occupational health and safety programs and policies.

Make sure supervisors know how to take care of health & safety, including but not limited to: • Be aware of process & procedures for reporting safety hazards/concerns. • ensure staff are following process & procedures, i.e. wearing appropriate

PPE. • Tagging or removing of broken equipment, etc.

Comply with all regulations made under the OHSA.

Duties of a Supervisor (Sec. 27)

Here are some of the things the OHSA says supervisors have to do as part of their job:

Tell workers about hazards and dangers and train workers to work safely.

Make sure workers follow the law and health & safety procedures & policies.

Ensure that a worker uses the right equipment and wears personal protective equipment (PPE).

Do everything reasonable to keep a worker from getting hurt or sick.

Duties of a Worker (SEC. 28)

Work in compliance with the Act and regulations and policies & procedures of the employer.

Work in a way that will not injure themselves or others.

Use any equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer.

Immediately tell the employer or supervisor about any known missing or defective equipment or protective device that may be dangerous.

Report any known workplace hazard or violation of the Act to the employer or supervisor.

Worker Rights

The “Right to participate" to be part of the process of identifying and resolving health and safety concerns. This can include participation in the Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC).

The “Right to know" about any hazards to which they may be exposed. For example, participating in mandatory Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training.

The “Right to refuse work" that they believe is dangerous. See the next slide for more details.

The Act prohibits reprisals / discipline being taken against workers who exercise these rights.

Worker Right to refuse unsafe work

A worker may refuse to work or do particular work where he or she has a reason to believe that:

• Any equipment, machine or device or thing the worker is to use or operate is likely to endanger themselves or others.

• The physical condition of the workplace or part thereof in which they work is likely to endanger them or others.

• Equipment, or workplace conditions are in violation of the OHSA and associated regulations and is likely to endanger themself or others.

Process for Refusal of work: • Report concerns to your supervisor. • Supervisor along with representation from the Joint Health & Safety

Committee, will investigate concern. • The employee will remain at a safe place until the investigation is complete.

• Employee can be assigned alternate tasks or alternate directions while investigation is being completed.

• If following the investigation, and corrective actions put in place (if required), the worker has reasonable grounds to believe the work continues to be unsafe, the Ministry of Labour will be called for further investigation and mediation.

What are the penalties for not complying with OHSA regulations?

The penalties for a non-compliance of the OHSA or its regulations are set out in the OHSA, Section 66.

A successful prosecution could, for each conviction, result in:

• A fine of up to $500,000 for a corporation (i.e. GGH)

• A fine of up to $25,000 for an individual person and/or up to 12 months imprisonment; (i.e., Director, supervisors, workers)

Workers, Supervisors, & Directors, have been prosecuted for non-compliance of the OHSA

This is one of the many reasons to know your responsibilities & duties!

Internal Responsibility System (IRS)

The IRS is a system, within an organization, where everyone has direct responsibility for health and safety issues in his/her role.

Any time you take initiative on health and safety issues, you work to contribute to the maintenance of a strong IRS. This can include identifying hazards, filling out incident reports or raising concerns with your supervisor or JHSC.

At GGH, the JHSC promotes and monitors health and safety issues to ensure the IRS works.

What is a Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC)?

The JHSC is made up of worker and management representatives and has the power to:

• Identify hazards. • Obtain information pertaining to safety issues from the employer. • Make recommendations to the employer. • Investigate work refusals. • Investigate serious accidents.

JHSC information can be found on the Intranet, GGH Hospital Wide Shared Drive (Committees) and on the JHSC boards, including:

• Committee members and contact information. • Recent meeting minutes & reports. • Recent Ministry of Labour reports & orders.

There is a JHSC board Located in:

Main Hospital: it is located outside Employee Health on Level 2. 73 Delhi St.: at Staff Entrance 125 Delhi St: In Bariatric reception area

How do workers participate in workplace health and safety?

The main way that workers can participate in workplace health and safety is through exercising their rights and duties in a responsible manner and by supporting the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC).

Talk to a member of the JHSC to find out how you can become more involved.

You can find out who the JHSC members are by looking at the JHSC Committee Member list posted:

• On the Hospital Wide Shared Drive (Committees). • On one of the JHSC boards.

Health & Safety Resources

Ontario has a Health & Safety “system” which includes the following partners:

Organization Type of Work

Ministry of Labour Develops, communicates and enforces Occupational Health & Safety requirements and employment standards. Develops, coordinates and implements strategies to prevent workplace injuries & illness and can set standards for training.

Worker Health & Safety Centre Occupational Health & Safety training centre for workers, representatives and employers

Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers

Medical Clinics that provide Occupational health services and information.

Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA)

Health & Safety Association that provide consulting, training & products.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety

Resource with information and fact sheets available on their website to assist in finding information related to Health & Safety.

Ministry of Labour

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) works towards keeping workplaces safe. They do this through developing legislation, policies and procedures, as well as enforcing the OHSA.

The MOL wants all safety concerns to be reported to your employer and managed through the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). Reporting can be done through supervisors, members of the Joint Health & Safety committee, and union representatives.

If you feel that a safety concern or problem is not being addressed adequately by the Hospital you can call the Ministry of Labour for advice and assistance.

The Ministry of Labour can be reached at 1-877-202-0008

HAZARDS

Everyone plays a role in preventing injuries & recognizing hazards.

Workers must follow the policies & procedures put in place by the hospital to protect them. You must report hazards and/or near misses, and work in a way that does not create hazards for yourself or others.

Supervisors have more responsibility as they must take steps to ensure employees are working in a safe manner. Supervisors:

• Must know the hazards associated with work & continue to monitor the potential hazards.

• Take steps to ensure workers understand safety information given to them and have access to information. Examples include making available written procedures & signage.

• Encourage staff to let them know about any safety concerns.

• Ensure workers are following safety procedures and wearing personal protective equipment.

• Monitor performance & work being completed to determine if staff are working safely.

Common Hazards at GGH

The top four hazards that contribute to injuries/illness at GGH, are Musculoskeletal Injuries/Strains, Slips/Trips/Falls, Needle-sticks contaminated with Blood &/or bodily fluid and Patient Actions. Prevention strategies include:

Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSD) / Strains: related to either patient handling or non-patient handling activities:

Patient Handling: • Use assistive lift equipment for moving of patients. • Complete a C.A.R.E assessment prior to moving a patient.

Non-Patient Handling: • Be aware of proper body mechanics and lifting techniques.

Slips / Trips / Falls

• Be aware of your surroundings. • Wear proper foot wear.

• Slow down (don’t rush).

Needlestick – Contaminated with Blood and/or Bodily Fluid

• Engage Safety Devices and properly dispose of sharps into Sharps containers.

• Follow the “Neutral Zone” policy while using of sharps. • Be aware of your surroundings and hand placement.

Patient Action Injuries sustained from Patient actions such as aggressive actions / assaults

• Be aware of your surroundings. • Communicate any concerns with your team members. • Keep distance from agitated/aggressive patients when possible, or ask for

assistance from team members. • Call “Code White” early before situations escalate. • Attend “Non-Violence Crisis Intervention Training” provided through GGH.

“Respectful Workplace and Violence Prevention Framework” (Policy#: 11-240) can be found, posted on the JHSC boards as well as on the Intranet (Policies & Procedures), for reference.

Knowledge of a Hazard or Near Miss

WORKER: Workers are responsible to do the following if they are aware of a hazard and/or near miss:

Inform & protect other workers who could potentially be harmed. • Ensure those who could be potentially harmed are aware of the hazard. • Take action to resolve the hazard.

– Remove or flag the hazard. – Maintenance Required: Enter a work order in Meditech or call ext. 2658

Report it to your supervisor. You can report a hazard and/or near miss:

• Verbally (call them or go speak to them). • By completing a Safety Health Hazard Report Form: Safety Health

Hazard Forms go to your supervisor and Employee Health Services so that the hazard can be investigated and safety measures can be put in place.

Safety Health Hazard Forms are paper based, and can be found:

• At Employee Health Services or outside the office on the EHS Resource Board.

• On the Intranet (Employee Health Main page).

SUPERVISOR: Supervisors are responsible to do the following if they are aware of a hazard and/or near miss:

Listen & Ask Questions: An employee is informing you of a hazard or close call. It is important information. Make sure you understand their concern(s) and the hazards and risks associated with it.

Secure Area / Equipment: Ensure that the work area and/or equipment is secured and made as safe as possible, and that anyone who needs to be informed of the hazard is made aware.

Inform Employer: Ensure the employer is informed of the hazards.

Hazard Problem Solving: If you and the worker can solve the problem on your own, go ahead. Additional supports/ resources are available to assist in solving the problem such as:

Internally: JHSC members & Employee Health Services Externally: Ministry of Labour

Dealing with Hazards using R.A.CE.

R – RECOGNIZE where there are the potential hazards.

A – ASSESS the hazard. • How likely is it that a worker will get injured or ill because of this hazard?

C – Control the hazard. • Look for ways to get rid of the hazard or to make the job safer.

E – EVALUATE how the controls are working. • Is the work now safe? • Are the controls continually being kept in place?

As a supervisor deals with hazards throughout the process of R.A.C.E; workers, employers, JHSC, and safety representatives should be involved and informed.

Injury or Illness at work

Report Early: Early reporting is important. If you have sustained an injury you must report it to your supervisor/director, as soon as possible. You must also complete an Employee Incident Report and submit to Employee Health Services.

Incident Report forms are paper based, and can be found: • In your department. • In Employee Health Services or outside the office on the EHS Resource

Board. • On the Intranet (Employee Health Services Main page).

First Aid: If you require first aid for your injury, go to: • Employee Health (Mon–Fri, 8am-4pm): During hours, this should always

be the first place you go, to be assessed by a nurse. • Physician office, as needed • Emergency Department, only if the injury sustained requires emergency

care.

** If you go to the ER or to a Health Care provider for care for your work related injury, you must immediately inform Employee Health Services as the incident

becomes a WSIB claim.

Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB)

A WSIB Claim must be processed, if a work-related injury results in: • a worker seeking health care from a physician or health care provider (i.e.

Physiotherapy). • A worker is unable to attend work due to the injury sustained.

Health Care: Coverage of Health Care claims is determined through WSIB. Health Care can include: first aid from a physician, treatments from a physiotherapist or Chiropractor, and medications.

Lost Time: If you experience an absence from work due to this injury, you must inform both your Director & Employee Health Services immediately. Wages for days of work lost will be compensated through WSIB, (as long as WSIB deem lost days from work acceptable.) Transitional work is available to all employees to assist in staying at work during your recovery.

Still more questions or want to get involved in Health & Safety?

Talk to any of the following people: • A member of our JHSC • Employee Health Services • Your Supervisor / Director

Check out the Resources provided on the next page.

Remember by working together we can ensure safety for everyone!

Resources & References

Posters are available on the JHSC boards, as well as available in various departments and locations throughout the hospital.

Copies of the OHSA can be found at the JHSC boards, in the library as well as through contacting a member of the JHSC.

GGH also has many Policies & Procedures that relate to Health & Safety. Policies can be found by going on the GGH Intranet / Policies & Procedures / Hospital wide. Many are found under the Employee Health Services heading.

A Few Policies to take note of: • Health & Safety General (#5-030) • Incident Reporting Policy (#5-040) • Safety Health Hazard Reporting Policy (#5-081) • Smart Moves – Ergonomic Hazard Prevention Program (#5-020) • Workplace Inspections Policy (#5-010) • Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (#5-090) • Respirator Protection Program – N95 Respirator(mask) fit testing (# 5-150) • Prevention of Sharps Injury (#5-170) • Respectful Workplace and Violence Prevention Framework (#11-240)

• Note- this policy is located under Human Resources & also gives detailed information on additional related policies.

There are many more resources available. We recommend staff take some time to look through and become familiar with the resources / policies available.

Additional Resources & References (External Resources)

Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm#BK42

Ontario Ministry of Labour .Phone: 1-877-202-0008 http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/faqs/rights.php

Health & Safety at work - Worker Handbook, by the Ministry of Labour http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pdf/workbook.pdf

Health & Safety at work - Supervisor Handbook, by the Ministry of Labour http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pdf/sup_workbook.pdf

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety http://www.ccohs.ca/