Category: OHS Updates
Nova Scotia is preparing to reopen the province safely. As more businesses, organizations, services and public spaces reopen, we need to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep everyone safe.
Click here to read more information, from the Province of Nova Scotia.
Created by the Saskatchewan Association for Safe Workplaces in Health (SASWH)
VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/Ji_bEXUZ3SA
GOAL: The primary goal of this campaign is to increase reporting of incidents of violence and aggression in healthcare sector in the Province of Saskatchewan. Senior Leaders and front line workers are key levers for change where reporting is encouraged and solutions can be easily identified to bring about safer workplaces for both patients and staff.
Objective #1: To raise awareness of the under reporting of incidents of violence and aggression in healthcare.
Objective #2: Develop a consistent image that to experience violence and aggression in the workplace is not normal and that workers safety is as important as patient safety.
Objective #3: Participants in this video will be key contributors to increased reporting and workplace safety.
Objective #4: To strongly bring to the attention of the public and those we provide care to that any incident of violence and aggression will be reported.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
- Healthcare senior leaders
- Physicians
- Regulators
- Educators
- Students in healthcare careers
- New Hires
- Front line care givers, managers, supervisors
- Unions
- Patients and family members
Bulletin:
Improving Workplace Safety in Nova Scotia’s Community Emergency Departments – NSHA Progress Report
In October 2016, Premier Stephen McNeil announced the creation of a working group on safety protocols as a result of an incident at Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Middleton. The working group was tasked with making recommendations to Nova Scotia’s Minister of Health and Wellness to improve workplace safety for employees, patients and visitors, with a focus on violence reduction in the community emergency departments across the province. The working group authored a report titled Improving Workplace Safety in Nova Scotia’s Community Emergency Departments, which highlighted 12 recommendations.
In consultation with our union partners, we have made significant progress on the recommendations identified in the report. We have developed policies, conducted various assessments and moved forward with staff education and training – all designed to improve safety for those working in community emergency departments and across other areas of our organization. One of the recommendations was an annual progress report from our organization to share advances in building a safer work environment and care settings for all. On Thursday, January 25, we will release our progress report publicly.
Question and Answer:
- What is the status of our work to meet the report’s 12 recommendations?
NSHA is pleased to report that of the 12 recommendations, 11 have been met or have significant progress underway. One recommendation related to establishing a provincial business solution for reporting and tracking is still in the planning stages. NSHA remains focused on building a safe, high-quality health system. Our work is not only about the health and safety of our patients and their families but also the safety and well-being of those who work in our organization.
Workplace-Safety-Report-NSHA-Final
In April 2016, government introduced and passed Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to help keep Nova Scotians safe at work. Most employers in Nova Scotia operate safe workplaces. However, there are some who repeatedly break serious health and safety rules, putting Nova Scotians at risk of serious injury or death. The amendments hold those employers more accountable, and were passed by the legislature with a commitment by the Department to work with stakeholders on next steps. That work is complete, and we’re ready to put the changes into place. We are writing today to inform you that the amendments will come into force on June 12, 2017.
As you will remember, the changes better define when, how, and what injuries and incidents must be reported, and give government additional tools and authority to enforce safety requirements for those who repeatedly disregard safety regulations, putting people at risk of serious injury or death. The Occupational Health and Safety Director now has the authority to deal with repeat offenders by:
- issuing stop-work orders at all their sites where these is potential for serious injury or death;
- applying to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for an injunction to prohibit them from working in an industry where they have a repeated history of causing serious injuries or deaths;
- requiring them to advise the department of future work locations and activities so that an inspection can be conducted as needed.
The Department will continue to work with all of you between now and June to encourage further awareness and understanding of the changes. Over the next couple of weeks, we will post further information on our website, and an Occupational Health and Safety Officer may also go over this information with you during an upcoming workplace visit.
We ask that you please share this information with your workplace networks. We must continue to work together to keep Nova Scotians safe.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 1-800-952-2687 or 902-424-5400, or via email at [email protected].
