ocsa presentation

Community Care:A Tool to Reduce Workplace HazardsPresented by: Taru Virkamaki, OCSA

Sandra Wilson, PSHSA

Why the tool was needed

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• Evidence about injuries and hazards in the community

• Lack of accessible information for people working in the home environment

• Improve communication paths for hazard reporting and actions taken throughout three levels

2008 Lost Time Injury Count by Category for Home and Community Care

3Date Source: Injury Analysis Snap Shot SchemaSchedule 1

Snap Shot Date: Jun 2009 Date: Aug 2009

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• OCSA, SCWSS and PSHSA applied for funding through the MOHLTC Healthy Work Environment Innovation fund to:– Research hazards in home care– Develop a three level tool outlining

hazard and controls– Pilot test the tool with PSW in the work

environment

Evidence Based

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• Literature review produced 48 relevant articles and tools used around the world and across Canada

• These main hazards were identified

– Musculoskeletal Disorders

– Slips, Trips and Falls

– Driving– Workplace

Violence

– Infectious Diseases– Fire and

Emergencies– Chemicals– Kitchen Hazards

Evidence Based

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• OCSA Member Agencies provided sample tools currently in use and feedback on:– who completes the tools– what they liked about the tool– what could be improved

• A variety of tools were received and we were able to use their comments about the tools to develop a new tool to meet any needs they identified

Evidence Based

• Draft tool was prepared based on the literature review and sample tools provided

• Draft tool was reviewed by PSWs to determine if:– language used was appropriate– if the information could help them

work safely and explained the role of the employer/CCAC in maintaining a safe work environment

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Webinar

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• Developed a 10 minute webinar that explains how to use the tool

• Webinar format makes it easy to provide the training to PSW and supervisors

• Webinar is free to access

Pilot Test

• Webinar and tool were piloted tested at St. Clair West Services for Seniors by PSWs and supervisors

• We gathered feedback on:– Webinar explained use of tool/form– Tool and Hazard report form were easy to

use and understand– If workers were most likely to report the

hazard verbally or using the form

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Community Care:A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards

A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards

• Each hazard begins with a description of the hazard or interesting facts

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A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards• It is followed by an orange box that

lists major risk factors and what might cause the injury.

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A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards• For each hazard, there is suggested

training you should have received,• And what you should report to your

supervisor.

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A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards

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A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards

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Hazard Report Form

Front Back

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A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards• The instructions for using the hazard

report form are on the back pocket of the kit

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A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards

• The back cover of the tool has a space for key contact names and numbers, including emergency numbers.

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How the tool can help

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• Points out the many hazards• Provides suggestions to control the

hazards• Offers a method for clear reporting and

tracking of hazards between levels• Record emergency contact numbers on

back page for easy reference• Fosters the safety culture in an

organization

Impact on Safety Culture

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• Sharing information and working together is an important step in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. An organization with a positive safety culture is one where staff members– Are asked for their input and are involved in

decision making– Are comfortable sharing their suggestions and

concerns, and– Are recognized and rewarded for their positive

contributions.

Webinar and Tool

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• Access for free from our three websites

www.ocsa.on.ca

www.servciesforseniors.ca

www.pshsa.ca

Summary

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By working together at all

levels, and sharing information,

we can reduce workplace injury

to community care workers!

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If you have comments and suggestions on this tool, please forward to:

Taru Virkamaki – taru.virkamaki@ocsa.on.ca

Ada Wong – adaw@servicesforseniors.ca

Sandra Wilson – swilson@pshsa.ca