Occupational health and safety

Safety Week this year is from May 4 to 10. HSA chapters are encouraged to organize or participate in Safety Week activities planned for your sites. These events are usually organized by the facility Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees and provide a great opportunity to profile the role of your Committee in your workplace. There are many resources available...

This conference is open to any HSA member representing the union on a Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee. Wage loss, travel and hotel costs will be covered according to HSA policies. On-line registration is open until midnight, Sunday, May 25 The proposed agenda is as follows: DAY 1: Monday, June 16th 8:30 a.m. Registration, Coffee and Pastries9:00 a.m. Conference...

Across Canada, April 28 has been designated the Day of Mourning, a time when workers, families, employers and others come together to remember those who have lost their lives to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. Please refer to this calendar for a complete list of Day of Mourning events around the province. The B.C. Federation of Labour, the New Westminster...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 In response to escalating police involvement in what has been called a mental health crisis, the Vancouver Police department recently produced a report which points to a steady increase in mental health related police incidents and proposed an action plan aimed at moving away from a crisis response model to a more community based, stakeholder driven...

HSA REPORT, MARCH 2014 BY DAVID DURNING In British Columbia workplaces, employers are required to undertake investigations into any accident or incident that: resulted in injury requiring medical treatment, or did not involve injury to a worker or involved a minor injury that did not require medical treatment, but had the potential to cause serious injury, or is required to...

In this issue: Domestic Violence Survey: Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t? 2014 OH&S Training Opportunities HSA Occupational Health and Safety Conference – June 16-17, 2014 Workplace Exposure Registry Domestic violence survey: Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t? Have you completed your survey yet? Help us learn more about the impact of domestic violence in the workplace. Fill...

Take Action Against Domestic Violence Over a recent 5 year period, an estimated 183,000 British Columbians were victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence impacts victims and their families and has a serious effect on those who witness it. Health care costs related to domestic violence in Canada are estimated to be in the billions of dollars. Social and emotional costs...

2014 Basic Steward Training Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new stewards in these areas, HSA is offering four 3-day Basic Steward Training workshops at the HSA office as follows - Dates: January 13 – 15, 2014...

A new Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP) negotiated into the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association and Nurses' Bargaining Association contracts in the last round of bargaining comes into effect today. The program replaces disability management programs previously run by individual health authorities. Jointly developed with employers and other unions over several year, EDMP is an employee-centred, proactive, and customized disability...

THE REPORT: OCTOBER 2013 BY DAVID DURNINGOCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER WorkSafeBC has ruled that posters and hard copies of first aid information must be properly posted and readily available to workers throughout FHA work locations. BACKGROUND Last fall, WorkSafeBC advised the Fraser Health Authority they were in violation of Section 3.17 (2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation...