Once again, the Provincial Health Officer has issued a copy of the Facility Influenza Immunization Policy to all health employers in BC. The policy states:

As a critical component of patient care, all facilities are required to adopt a written policy advocating staff influenza immunization. Staff who choose not to be immunized must be made aware that they can be excluded from work in the event of an influenza outbreak within their facility.

Fall 2006 OH&S Basic Steward Training

HSA is offering two 2-day basic OH&S steward workshops this fall:

OTTAWA ... On Friday, flags will be lowered and working people across the country will take a few moments to remember their friends, family and colleagues who have died from workplace injuries. For the past 22 years, April 28 has been recognized as a National Day of Mourning to both reflect and focus on making Canadas workplaces healthier and safer.

OTTAWA (CLC) ... Next Tuesday, February 28, is the internationally-recognized Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day. On this occasion, working people are counting on the federal government to follow through with promised new regulations to prevent the scourge of workplace injuries known as RSIs (repetitive strain injuries).

Download full text of CLC communiqué

Due to increased demand for steward training, HSA is offering the following courses:

Steward Training Level 1 (3-day workshops):

• May 1, 2, & 3, 2006

OH&S Steward Training - Basic (2-day workshops):

HSA is offering the following courses:

2006 Steward Training Level 1 (3-day workshops):

• January 30, 31 and February 1, 2006 (deadline for registration is January 9, 2006)
• February 13, 14, and 15, 2006 (deadline for registration is January 23, 2006)
• February 27, 28 and March 1, 2006 (deadline for registration is February 6, 2006

Pre-Registration Form - 2006 Steward Training Level 1

News and information for HSA safety stewards. 

Download bulletin as PDF

As you know, all workers have a right to a safe work environment. Surveys consistently indicate that HSA members care about and are willing to become involved in health and safety issues. Unions have a significant role to play ensuring that our workplaces are safe. HSA takes a leadership role in the promotion of workplace safety through health and safety education initiatives for our membership, such as the Prevention of Workplace Violence Workshop. We urge you to talk to other Stewards, OH&S Stewards and interested members to encourage them to attend this workshop together.

A coalition of BC unions says the Workers' Compensation Board can protect workers from deadly injuries and save the health care system millions by requiring the use of safety needles and other sharps.