HEALTHCARESAFETY

SAFETY• Safety is a basic need and right. • You, your clients and your co-workers have the

right to a safe setting.• Your employer is responsible for providing a safe

working environment.• OH & S legislation is designed to protect

employees from injuries and accidents in the workplace.

• Employers, employees, and supervisors are responsible for health and safety.

• If you feel your safety has been jeopardized, report to your supervisor immediately

• If an accident occurs, an incident report needs to filled out

• You have the right to refuse unsafe work

SAFETY• OH & S legislation is designed to protect

employees from injuries and accidents in the workplace.

• Employers, employees, and supervisors are responsible for health and safety.

• OH & S Legislation includes:• Who is covered by the act• Joint Health & Safety Committees• Health & Safety Representatives• Duties of Employers & other persons• The right to refuse work• The right to stop work• Workplace violence and harassment• Toxic Substances

SAFETY• The Government of Ontario and its workplace

partners are committed to eliminating all workplace injuries.

• Safe At Work Ontario is the Ministry of Labour’s (MOL’s) compliance strategy, designed to:• improve the health and safety culture of workplaces,• reduce workplace injuries and illness,• lessen the burden on the health care system,• avoid costs for employers and the Workplace Safety

and Insurance Board (WSIB), and• provide a level playing field for compliant companies.

• SAFETY VIDEO

SAFETYERGONOMIC INJURIES

•Ergonomic injuries, often called musculoskeletal disorders, affect the muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints and/or blood vessels.  •Ergonomic injuries are typically caused by or made worse with repeated exertions, awkward positions and / or forceful movements.Ergonomic Injuries:•Often occur in the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands•Are commonly caused by wear and tear on a tissue instead of one “incident”•Have a gradual onset and worsening of symptoms over time•Develop over a period of weeks, months or even years

SAFETYBACK INJURIES

•Most common cause of absenteeism in the general workforce.•Healthcare industry workers sustain 4.5 times more back injuries than any other type of worker.•5 of the top 10 professions at greatest risk for back injuries are:• PSW/HCA• RPN• RN• Radiology techs• PT

•1/3 of nurses do not report their injuries

SAFETYCAUSES OF BACK INJURIES

•Aging workforce•Sicker patients•Staffing shortages•Obesity (patients and staff)•Falls•Improper lifting/transferring

PREVENTION IS THE KEY

SAFETYNEEDLESTICK INJURIES

•Needlestick injuries are wounds caused by needles that accidentally puncture the skin. •Hazard for people who work with hypodermic syringes and other needle equipment. •These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles. •When not disposed of properly, needles can become concealed in linen or garbage and injure other workers who encounter them unexpectedly.

SAFETY• Needlestick injuries transmit infectious

diseases, especially blood-borne viruses. • In recent years, concern about AIDS, hepatitis

B, and hepatitis C has prompted research to find out why these injuries occur and to develop measures to prevent them. • Many hospitals have switched to “needleless

systems” to prevent these injuries• Nurses have the most needlestick injuries of

all healthcare professions (52% of all needlestick injuries)• Most injuries occurred when drawing blood

FIRE SAFETYWHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE• The key to surviving a fire is being

prepared before one starts• Know your employers policies and

procedures (CODE RED)• Know where to find fire alarms,

extinguishers and emergency exits

FIRE SAFETYUSE THE ACRONYM RACER – rescueA – alarmC – confineE – extinguish

• Know where the fire extinguishers are kept and how to use them. • Remember, different extinguishers are

used for different types of fires.

FIRE SAFETY• PULL THE PIN, AIM LOW AT BASE OF FIRE • SQUEEZE HANDLE, SWEEP SLOWLY AT BASE OF FIRE • STAY LOW TO AVOID HEAT AND SMOKE CLASS A • water • Ordinary Combustibles: paper, cloth, wood, rubber,

many plastics. CLASS B • CO2

• Flammable Liquids: • oil, grease, gasoline, some paints, solvents etc. CLASS C • dry chemical • Electrical: • wiring, fuse boxes, electrical equipment etc. CLASS D • special liquid or powder • Combustible Metals: magnesium,

DISASTER CODES

SAFETYWHMIS

WHMIS• The acronym WHMIS stands for:• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information

System • This regulation was introduced into the

Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario in 1987

• WHMIS gives a worker the right to know what they are handling

• Federal WHMIS applies to importers, manufacturers, and suppliers of hazardous materials

• The Hazardous Products Act for controlled products states that national suppliers are to provide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets to all buyers

WHMIS• MSDS stands for:• Material Safety Data Sheets

• MSDS is a print out on paper that identifies how to handle, store, use, health effects if exposed, emergency procedures, and protective measures

• MSDS must be updated by the supplier every 3 years

• Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario, employers are to make sure that all hazardous materials are labeled appropriately and that a MSD sheet accompanies the product

• On any controlled hazardous product two labels must be properly labeled with a supplier and a workplace sticker

WHMIS• Supplier labels must be attached to the controlled

product container which has detailed information about the product.

• Legislation states that 10 kg or more of a controlled product or hazardous material from a supplier must contain the following information: • both official languages • have a WHMIS border • identifies the material or product name (i.e. common

name, chemical name, trade name, generic name, brand name, code name or number)

• name and address of the supplier • reference to a MSD sheet • WHMIS hazard symbols

WHMIS• In addition to this and if the container has more

than 100 milliliters the following information must be on the label:

• risk time factors • precautionary measures while using or being exposed to

the product/chemical • First aid measures to address immediate injuries and

not progressive illnesses

Workplace labels must be identified on a container that is not from the supplier, and must contain the following information:

• material identifier or product name • reference to a MSD sheet • precautionary steps • first aid measures