1. Community Care:
A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards
Presented by: Taru Virkamaki, OCSA
Sandra Wilson, PSHSA
2. Why the tool was needed
2
• 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
3. 2008 Lost Time Injury Count by Category
for Home and Community Care
3
Date Source: Injury Analysis Snap Shot Schema
Schedule 1
Snap Shot Date: Jun 2009 Date: Aug 2009
4. 4
• 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
5. Evidence Based
5
• 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
6. Evidence Based
6
• 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
7. 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
7
8. Webinar
8
• 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
9. 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
9
11. A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards
• Each hazard begins with a description
of the hazard or interesting facts
11
12. A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards
• It is followed by an orange box that lists
major risk factors and what might cause
the injury.
12
13. 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.
13
17. A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards
• The instructions for using the hazard report
form are on the back pocket of the kit
17
18. A Tool to Reduce Workplace Hazards
• The back cover of
the tool has a
space for key
contact names
and numbers,
including
emergency
numbers.
18
19. How the tool can help
19
• 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
20. Impact on Safety Culture
20
• 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.
21. Webinar and Tool
21
• Access for free from our three websites
www.ocsa.on.ca
www.servciesforseniors.ca
www.pshsa.ca
22. Summary
22
By working together at all levels,
and sharing information,
we can reduce workplace injury
to community care workers!
23. 23
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
Editor's Notes
In Ontario, the home and community healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth due to earlier discharges from hospital, increased outpatient surgeries, reduced hospitalization, technological advances and the development of new drugs and treatments.
Accessible meaning – simple language, easy to carry arround
The causes of LTI in Ontario matches info from the literature.
The causes of LTI in Ontario matches info from the literature.
The causes of LTI in Ontario matches info from the literature.
New tool to meet any needs they identified
Webinar training appropriate for workers and supervisors
Over 80% found webinar and tool easy to use and understand
Over 90% found the report form easy to use
90% reported they would fill out the form
No changes to the draft tool were suggested
Each hazard begins with a description of the hazard or interesting facts about the hazard – turn to page 4 in the tool to see the description of Musculoskeletal Disorders. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Musculoskeletal disorders are often called MSD for short.
READ REMAINDER OF BOX
If you look at the top left corner of page 4 you will see that the name of the hazard is listed - it is also listed at the bottom left corner of page 5.
On each page of the tool, the name of the hazard is listed, so that you can easily find information on each hazard.
The description of, or information on the hazard is followed by an orange box that lists major risk factors and what might cause the injury.
For musculoskeletal disorders, you will find the orange box on page 4.
For each hazard, there is suggested training you should have received,
And what you should report to your supervisor.
For musculoskeletal disorders you will find this information on page 5 – along with additional information on signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
There is a table for each hazard with a section titled ‘WORKERS’
This information:
Helps you to decide when you are doing an activity where you may be at risk.
Gives suggestions on what to do to control the risk.
There is a separate table with suggestions for your Employer and the System-CCAC to control hazards.
Report hazards to your supervisor using the hazard report form.
Find it in the pocket at the back of the book.
The instructions for using the hazard report form are on the back pocket. There are two sections of the form.
The worker completes section one and the supervisor completes section two.
You complete the first section of this form for workplace hazards where you need your supervisor’s help to fix the problem. Once the report is filled out, pass it to your supervisor so he or she can complete the second section.
Once the supervisor has looked into the issue and taken action to correct the hazard, you should be informed of what was done to control the hazard.
Your organization may give you specific instructions on how to fill out and submit this report form.
The back cover of the tool has a space for your key contact names and numbers, including emergency numbers.
This section should be filled out as soon as you receive a copy of this tool.
- Some people focus on one or two types of hazards and don’t recognize the others
Mention the websites are on the front cover of the tool
Remember, by working together at all levels, we can reduce workplace injury to community care workers!
Have a safe day at work!
