New OHSCO Domestic Violence Resources Domestic violence in the workplace has been identified as the fastest growing type of workplace violence in Canada.” (Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters 2008) The Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario in partnership with the Ontario Women’s Directorate has recently produced two pamphlets for addressing domestic violence in the workplace: Domestic Violence Doesn’t Stop When Your Worker Arrives at Work: What Employers Need to Know to Help Click HERE   Domestic Violence Doesn’t Stop When Your Worker Arrives at Work: How to get Help or Support a Colleague who may Need Help Click HERE   These pamphlets are free to download from our website, to distribute widely at your organization. To print as a pamphlet – select “Booklet Printing” from the Page Scaling option in the Print menu box. February 23, 2010 HealthForceOntario Funded Projects HealthForceOntario recently announced eighteen successful applicants who submitted proposals in September 2009 and are receiving funding through the Healthy Work Environments Innovation Fund Grant Program. OSACH is partnering in three of the projects: The development and piloting of a 3-tier Community Risk Assessment Tool, that will profile ten common hazards found in the community and provide suggested control measures at the system, service provider and the worker level. This project is being completed in partnership with the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) and St Clair West Services for Seniors (SCWSS). The update of the OSACH DVD titled Workplace Violence Prevention in the Health and Community Care Sector, to include information on the upcoming amendments to the OHS Act. This project is being completed in partnership with Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. The development of a workplace violence risk assessment tool to assist in improved communication between emergency departments, police and EMS. The project is being completed in partnership with Lakeridge Health Corporation. For more details about the newly funded projects as well as other HWE information, please visit the HealthForceOntario website at http://www.healthforceontario.ca/WhatIsHFO/hwe.aspx February 18, 2010 Fast Fact- Workplace Violence: Complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act As of June 15, 2010, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act include employer responsibilities for addressing violence, harassment and domestic violence in the workplace. This Fast Facts provides organizations with guidance on complying with the changes. Click here to access this Fast Fact free to download from our Website.  Click here to purchase this Fast Fact in packages of 20 from our online store February 16, 2010 MOHLTC funds Violence and SEMS sessions! The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has just announced that they will support the upcoming Workplace Violence Prevention and Safety Engineered Medical Sharps education sessions being offered by the HSAGS Community and Healthcare Team. This means that we can now offer these sessions at no cost! The workplace violence prevention sessions: Provide an overview of upcoming amendments to the OHS Act as they relate to workplace violence, as well as outline the elements of an effective workplace violence prevention program Provide sample tools and program elements Assist organizations in understanding how to address horizontal violence (bullying) and domestic violence in the workplace Click here to view the schedule and to register! Attend the Safety Engineered Medical Sharps (SEMS) session to learn about: Definitions of safety engineered medical sharps (SEMS) and safety engineered needles. Available statistics and research related to sharps and injuries. How to implement a sharps safety program · The Needle Safety Regulation (O.Reg 474/07) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) Click here to view the schedule and to register! February 9, 2010 New Product! Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace Effective June 15, 2010, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act will require employers who are aware, or who should reasonably be aware, that domestic violence may occur in the workplace to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect a worker at risk of physical injury. This newly revised booklet, "Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace: A handbook" provides information and suggestions on how to meet these requirements. This new edition replaces the former booklet "Personal Relationship Violence". Free to download, click here to access this valuable workplace resource. January 28 2010 Ministry of Labour - Focus on Falls Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors will check for hazards involving suspended platforms at construction sites during an enforcement blitz starting in mid-January. Ministry inspectors will have zero tolerance for non-compliance. The review will be completed within 90 days. Your organization might also use suspended platforms during window cleaning. Click here to learn more about the Focus on Falls. Click here for a MOL Q&A on Falls. January 21 2010 Ministry of Labour Alert: Suspended Work Platform Click here for more information! January 7 2010 Workplace Violence Prevention becomes law June 15, 2009 Bill 168 received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009. This means that the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to include violence and harassment in the workplace will come into force on June 15, 2010. Be prepared. Attend an OSACH education workshop to learn about these amendments and the steps you can take to satisfy the new legislative requirements. Click here to view the schedule and to register. December 17 2009 Amendments to the Needle Safety Regulation (Phase 3) On July 1, 2010 the Needle Safety Regulation will be extended to community work environments where workers use hollow-bore needles on persons for a therapeutic, preventive, palliative, diagnostic or cosmetic purpose: Doctors’ and dentists’ offices, community health centres, family health teams and independent health facilities.   Other workplaces where health-related services are provided, including home care services, ambulance services, public health programs, health support services to students in schools, and healthcare/first aid services to workers or individuals in industrial and other workplaces. Under this regulation, employers are required to provide workers with a safety-engineered needle for work that requires the use of a hollow-bore needle. Employers should conduct a risk assessment on the use of hollow-bore needles in the workplace and document the findings. To view the Needle Safety Regulation, click here. To assist clients in preparing for the upcoming changes, OSACH will be offering education sessions across the province in February and March of 2010. Click here to view the schedule! December 17 2009 Amendments to the OHSA to include workplace violence … The proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (known as Bill 168) passed Third Reading in the Legislature on December 9, 2009. Once the Bill receives Royal Assent from the legislature, it will become law six months following. To view the proposed amendment, click here! To assist clients in preparing for the upcoming changes, OSACH will be offering education sessions across the province in February and March of 2010. Click here to view the schedule! December 15 2009 Safety Groups Registration Deadline Extended! We have extended the registration deadline to December 23, 2009. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with other organizations while reducing workplace injuries and illnesses at your workplace. Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) December 9 2009 Effective Leadership Series hosted by OHA The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and the Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare (OSACH) offer this very informative three day course. Participants will acquire the tools to create a culture of health and safety in their organization through effective leadership skills. Click here for more information and the registration form. December 8 2009 Safety Groups Advantage Programs Q & A The Safety Groups Advantage Program (SGAP) is a temporary program developed for firms who have successfully completed 5 years in the general Safety Group Program and want to strive towards the proposed WSIB Accreditation Program. If you have already completed five or more years in Safety Group, you may continue for an additional year – review the Safety Groups Advantage Program Q & A here or speak to your OSACH Consultant. December 3 2009 2009 OSACH Special Meeting of the Members December 3rd, 2009 Download file for more details (3.3mb) November 23 2009 OSACH Safety Group Rebate Over Half a Million Dollars! Congratulations to our 2008 Safety Group members! Their efforts in 2008 resulted in a 92% WSIB achievement score and as a result, they are sharing a WSIB rebate of $508,131.96! Even more importantly, their excellent work brought many enhancements to their health and safety programs, and a healthier and safer workplace! It’s not too late to take advantage of the many benefits of Safety Group. Sign up before December 4th for the 2010 Safety Group – chapter meetings will be held across the province, in Toronto, London, Hamilton, Eastern Ontario, and possibly Northern Ontario. Learn more about the 2010 Safety Group Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) If you have already completed five years in Safety Group, you may continue for a sixth year – review the eligibility requirement here. November 23 2009 JOIN the 2010 OSACH Safety Group! In 2007, members of the OSACH Safety Group shared a WSIB rebate of $372,567! Although we don’t yet know the actual rebate for 2008, it will be significantly higher as the OSACH Safety Group achievement score was 92% and our rebate is based on this score. But beyond the rebate, there are so many additional benefits to joining our safety group including: networking with similar organizations presentations on timely topics guidance on health and safety program improvement and applying a system structure to components As well, in 2010 we will be offering chapter meetings in Toronto, London, Hamilton, Eastern Ontario, and possibly Northern Ontario. Register for the 2010 OSACH Safety Group before December 4th. Learn more about the 2010 Safety Group Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) If you have already completed five years in Safety Group, you may continue for a sixth year – review the eligibility requirement here. October 8 2009 OSACH Launches Ergonomic Services Download flyer October 1 2009 Effective Leadership Series session hosted by OHA Download brochure from OHA website October 1 2009 The new HSAGS announces CEO appointment Louise Logan has been appointed as the inaugural CEO of the Health and Safety Association for Government Services (HSAGS). All three HSA boards (OSACH, ESAO & MHSA) will be holding a special meeting of their members to approve the amalgamation. The OSACH meeting will take place on December 3rd 2009. In January 2010, the HSAGS will be assuming all designated sector and governance responsibilities of the three legacy associations. Click here to read the full announcement October 1 2009 Fall Regional Education Sessions Join us at our education sessions planned across the province this fall. Click on the topics below for more information and to download the registration forms. Respiratory Protection Programs and Train the Fit Tester Workplace Violence Prevention and Amendments to the OHS Act Safety Engineered Medical Sharps and the New Needle Safety Regulation Client Handling – Enhancing your Program and Hand’s on Techniques August 25 2009 Join OSACH at our Conference this October OSACH has partnered with HIROC to present a conference specifically for health and community care organizations titled Transformational Leadership: Building A Culture of Safety in Healthcare, October 5-6 in at the Renaissance Toronto Hotel, downtown Toronto. This conference will deliver practical strategic and inspirational advice from dynamic Canadian leaders on how to build a Culture of Safety in health and community care. Keynote speakers include Major-General Lewis MacKenzie and Dr. Graham Lowe. Who should attend: CEO’s, VP’s, Board Members, Senior Directors, Risk Managers, Patient Safety Specialists, Physicians, Chiefs of Staff, Nursing Leaders, Legal Counsel, Healthcare and Community Care Managers, Human Resources Director’s/Managers, Joint Health and Safety Committee members. To register on-line Full conference program July 16 2009 Leadership Recognition in Health and Community Care Strong and effective leadership is necessary for the successful advancement of an organizational culture that focuses on healthy people and safe workplaces. Realizing this fact, OSACH was commissioned by the MoHLTC to explore leadership recognition practices as an important motivator for continued efforts and success. OSACH used a three-tiered approach to explore the area of leadership recognition, including: A review of organizational and leadership recognition literature An on-line survey of healthcare leaders across Canada A focus group of senior individuals representing different stakeholder groups, professional associations and government authorities We hope that these findings will be used by the MoHLTC to establish a meaningful leadership recognition program for the health and community care sector. Click here to read the full report July 9 2009 Summer is here and the weather is hot! Beat the Heat! Prepare your workplace now to minimize the risk of heat related disorders, including Heat Stress. A number of resources are available, FREE to download, that can help raise awareness at your workplace. Click here for more information July 2 2009 OSACH Annual Report OSACH's Annual Report 2008 Click here to read the report June 25 2009 2010 OSACH Safety Group and Work Well deferrals JOIN THE 2010 OSACH SAFETY GROUP! In 2007, members of the OSACH Safety Group shared a WSIB rebate of $372,567! But there are so many additional benefits to joining our safety group including networking with similar organizations. And now, if you have received notification of a Workwell audit your firm can receive one-year Work Well deferral if you join the 2010 Safety Group before July 31, 2009. Your firm must meet the following criteria: has not received a deferral in a prior year has not been selected based on a third party referral has not started the Work Well process, and does not withdraw and is not removed from the Safety Group Program in 2010. Work Well deferrals will not be offered after July 31, 2009 – you must complete and submit your application before this date. Learn more about the 2010 Safety Group Register for the 2010 Safety Group (print the application form and fax back to OSACH) June 16 2009 Annual General Meeting of OSACH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ONTARIO SAFETY ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY & HEALTHCARE NOTICE Date: June 18, 2009 Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: OSACH Boardroom OSACH Corporate Office 4950 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M2N 6K1 June 4 2009 More Violence Prevention Resources OSACH is pleased to present four posters in two sizes and an additional booklet focusing on assessing violence in the community. Funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, these resources are free to download. Assessing Violence in the Community: A handbook for the workplace The community presents an unpredictable work environment and requires appropriate assessments of the client, community ad environment in order to recognize and control potential hazards. This booklet provides practical tools to assess the risk for violence, along with useful references to address the risks through a pre-visit client assessment, a pre-travel assessment and an employee hazard checklist. Click here to view the handbook. Printed copies can also be purchased at cost, for $5 members, $7.50 for non-members plus GST per handbook. Posters Use these posters as part of your organization's campaign to increase awareness of the types of workplace violence and the need to report incidents. download 8.5" x 11" 11" x 17" download 8.5" x 11" 11" x 17" download 8.5" x 11" 11" x 17" download 8.5" x 11" 11" x 17" Link to previous News regarding Violence Prevention Resources May 21 2009 H1N1 Information With confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Influenza) now in Ontario, OSACH provides the following links to assist you in accessing current information. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has issued Important Health Notices, which provide direction to employers including health and safety and infection prevention and control precautions for staff. More... May 8 2009 OSACH Welcomes the Government's Move to Amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act Press Release TORONTO, April 20 /CNW/ - The Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare (OSACH) welcomes proposed amendments to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, jointly announced today by Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour and his colleague David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long Term Care...FULL STORY To view MOL Press Release click here. Update - Bill 168, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act 2009 click here April 28 2009 New Violence Prevention Resources Workplace violence continues to be present in the health and community care sector. Recognizing this risk, OSACH is proud to introduce two new handbooks that have been developed in partnership with the MoHLTC. These handbook are free to download from our website. Bullying in the Workplace: A handbook for the workplace This booklet provides practical suggestions for the employer, supervisor and worker to participate in the reduction of bullying in the workplace. A number of samples and tools are provided including a sample Workplace Bullying Policy and a self-test to determine if you are being bullied. Click here to view the handbook. Personal Relationship Violence in the Workplace: A handbook for the workplace This booklet provides practical suggestions that all workplace parties can adopt to raise awareness of personal relationship violence in the workplace and reduce workplace risk. A list of resources is provided. Click here to view the handbook. Printed copies can also be purchased at cost, for $5 plus GST per handbook. Look for further violence prevention resources coming soon. April 9 2009 What are you doing about your MSDs? The health and community care sector reports the greatest number of Lost-Time Injuries (LTI) in the province of Ontario. Note: Municipal LTI count data was not supplied OSACH has many products & services to help you prevent these injuries. More Information... March 18 2009 Ontario’s Prevention System Realignment Ontario’s Prevention System is changing in 2009. The end goal is a coordinated and aligned new system that responds in a flexible, active way to emerging problems and with client centered services to achieve a sustainable, annual seven percent injury reduction in workplace injuries. There are four service streams in the new system. OSACH will be part of the Government Directed Services Entity, along with the Municipal Health and Safety Association of Ontario and the Education Safety Association of Ontario. The Chairs of the three current associations will be meeting and forming a transition panel to oversee the change and coordinate planning for a national search for a CEO to lead this new amalgamated organization and support the new board. We anticipate that the new CEO will be confirmed around July. The WSIB prevention division business plan for system realignment was approved by the WSIB Board of Directors in February. Click here to review the details of the plan March 17 2009 OSACH Health and Safety Management System Review In partnership with HealthForceOntario, OSACH launched a 12-month process review study in 2008 of the OSACH Health and Safety Management System model and tools in six healthcare organizations throughout Ontario. An external process evaluation led by principal investigator Dr. Andrea Baumann, McMaster, and co-investigator Dr. Linn Holness, St Michael’s Hospital, produced favourable results. The findings showed that the OSACH HSMS assisted the pilot sites to develop a more robust infrastructure to support and advance a culture of safety and link staff safety and wellness with patient/client safety. Click here to read the full report March 17 2009 Patti Boucher to speak at "Reducing Enterprise Risk in Healthcare" Conference "Reducing Enterprise Risk in Healthcare" March 30-31, 2009, St. Andrew’s Club and Conference Centre, Toronto Click here to find out more Feb 19 2009 Important Announcement to all OSACH Clients In order to ensure the confidentiality of the information that is shared by OSACH, please direct all requests for statistics, injury demographics, and other related organizational information to your regional consultant. Please click on the link below to be directed to the “Find Your Consultant” page. Thank you for your understanding and continued support! The staff at the Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare Find Your Consultant Feb 3 2009 OSACH’s Safety Group - 2009 OSACH is very excited to announce the expansion of our safety group to include new regional chapters. Find out why so many of Ontario’s health and community care organizations are making workplace safety a priority. Join OSACH’s Safety Group today! Safety Group Brochure Invitation Safety Group Application Jan 15 2009 OSACH introduces new “Sample Daily Mechanical Lift Inspection Checklist” To address both patient and employee safety concerns, OSACH’s new Sample Daily Mechanical Lift Inspection Checklist will assist managers, caregivers, or joint health and safety committees to detect possible unsafe conditions by conducting a visual inspection of mechanical lift equipment. Note this daily examination does not replace detailed inspections and preventative maintenance by qualified personal as outlined by the manufacturer. The “Sample Daily Mechanical Lift Inspection Checklist” will be included in third edition of OSACH Handle with CareTM: A Comprehensive Approach to Developing and Implementing a Client Handling Program coming fall 2008.  Click here to download the checklist July 31 2008 OSACH Celebrates DVD Launch!! "Workplace Violence Prevention in Health and Community Care" Violence is never an acceptable risk. Our new DVD, achieved in partnership with the HealthForceOntario strategy of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, is the latest tool in our efforts to minimize and, where possible, eliminate workplace violence. Developed specifically for health and community care organizations, this DVD will be of interest to senior leaders, managers, joint health and safety committee members and staff at all levels. (click to view pictures from the launch) Copies are $30 + $8 shipping + GST + PST for Ontario health and community care clients only. See order form for details. Click here for media release June 23 2008 New Respiratory Protection Resource We've just released a 2-page brochure that provides a concise summary of respirator selection, use, and care considerations. It's a free download. click here to go to respiratory brochure link June 20 2008