A serious occupational health and safety issue related to PPE in hospital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) departments has been uncovered regarding the safety of certain masks and respirators in an MRI setting.

HSA has called on health authorities and the Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Committee to provide details on the steps underway to identify and remove any masks or respirators that may not be compatible in MRI departments, and to ensure they are not reintroduced into MRI departments.

BC FED OHS Centre free webinars for OHS activist during COVID-19

The BCFED OH&S Centre has scheduled free COVID-19 related online webinars as follows:

OH&S Committee role during COVID-19
Tuesday May 26, 2020 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.  

TO: HSA members working in Long Term Care

In an effort to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in BC’s hard-hit Long Term Care facilities, BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, issued two province-wide orders aimed at restricting movement of health care staff between Long Term Care facilities. The orders went into effect yesterday, Thursday March 26, 2020

COVID 19: UPDATE TO HSA MEMBERS

The provincial medical health officer has provided regular briefings to BC’s health care unions about the developing situation worldwide related to COVID 19 (Novel Coronavirus).

Information from the medical health officers is that Canada is dealing well with this virus.

By Vicky Grant, HSA member

I have been working at BC Cancer as a radiation therapist for almost 25 years. Most of that time has been at the Surrey Centre, formerly known as the Fraser Valley Cancer Center. Radiation therapists are involved in planning and delivering radiation therapy treatment to cancer patients, and assist in assessing and managing the treatment’s side effects. 

* updated December 13, 2019 to clarify that under the amended policy, it is still mandatory to report vaccination status, but no longer mandatory to wear a mask if not vaccinated.

After years of controversy surrounding the province’s “vaccinate or mask” policy for health care workers during the flu season, the provincial policy has been amended to remove the disciplinary portion of the policy, where health care workers were at risk of being fired if they did not get a flu shot.

PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

All workers have a right to a safe work environment.  Unions have a significant role to play in ensuring that our workplaces are safe.  Workplace violence can take the form of physical aggression such as hitting, biting or kicking. It also includes verbal threats, swearing, name-calling and bullying. Violence is not part of anyone’s job and the repercussions of workers being exposed to violence can be devastating, affecting their physical and mental health as well as their job satisfaction.
 

HSA Basic Steward/OH&S Training Dates 2020

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