Inside PEARS, the quarterly newsletter of the Prevention and Early Active Return to Work Safely program of the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in B.C., has been released.
On April 28, 2008, we mark the 24th anniversary of the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job. The National Day of Mourning is an initiative of the Canadian Labour Congress and was started in 1984. It is now celebrated around the world from Azerbaijan to Zambia.
The Canadian Labour Congress is calling on governments to take the issue of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) more seriously. Statistics Canada reported in 2003 that one in 10 Canadians suffers from an RSI enough to limit their normal activities.
There is still room available in the two-day OH&S Steward Training workshop on March 10 & 11, 2008. Please register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending this workshop.
OH&S Steward Training: March 10 & 11, 2008
Eligible stewards should print a pre-registration form off the HSA website (go to 'Member Services', then 'Education') and return it to the HSA Office (Attention: Karin Herbert) as soon as possible. HSA will call you to confirm your registration.
HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. We will be awarding ten scholarships for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and two aboriginal scholarships.
The criteria and details are set out on the application forms. To obtain a copy please see the HSA website: www.hsabc.org or contact your chief steward.
University of BC, School of Environmental Health, in cooperation with the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia presents Ergonomic Assessment of Upper Limb Risk Factors for Effective Return-To-Work Programs. There are a few spaces left in the November 3 and November 29 workshops.
A new research study at the University of British Columbia is looking for healthcare workers who have experienced a workplace injury or other incident resulting in acute pain and who have registered in a PEARS program within Fraser Health Authority or Vancouver Island Health Authority. Participants identities will be kept strictly confidential, and neither the participants employer nor any PEARS personnel will have access to the information collected.
Members of the BC Federation of Labour's Occupational Health and Safety Committee headed to Victoria Monday, April 30 to press the case for better workplace safety enforcement and decent pensions for workers injured on the job.
The lobby, headed by Federation President Jim Sinclair and Secretary-Treasurer Angela Schira, comes on the heels of Day of Mourning ceremonies across BC that marked the beginning of a month of labour action to win safer workplaces.
HSA President Reid Johnson and Region 7 Regional Director Marg Beddis joined in the Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job by laying a wreath at Bear Creek Park in Surrey Saturday. New Westminster & District Labour Council in conjunction with the Vancouver & District Labour Council, Fraser Valley Labour Council and BC Federation of Labour hosted the event.
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The current (April 2007) issues includes articles about Latex vs Non-Latex Gloves; Concern over Caviwipes, Pandemic Influenza Update, Technological Innovations in Occupational Health, and Day of Mourning events.
