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.

Subject: HSA Reacts to Government Announcement on Health Workers

The Health Sciences Association says today's government announcement that it will expand a program to track health and safety incidents is not enough to ensure health care workers are safe in their workplaces.

"Today's announcement to complete a system to track health and safety incidents by computer is a fine project, but it does nothing to immediately reduce the incidence of injury and occupational disease for health care workers," HSA President Cindy Stewart said.

HSA members have reacted with shock to this week's violent and deadly attack on HSA member David Bland, a recreation therapist with the Richmond Mental Services Health Team.

"On behalf of HSA, I extend condolences to David's family, friends and co-workers. Words cannot express the sorrow we all are feeling at losing a member of our team, particularly under such violent circumstances," HSA President Cindy Stewart said.

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

Workshop 1: January 31st and February 1st, 2005
Workshop 2: February 28th and March 1st, 2005

HSA is offering the following OH&S steward workshops:

Workshop I - October 25 & 26, 2004 - Basic Training "*CANCELLED"*
Workshop II - November 8 & 9, 2004 - Basic Training
Workshop III - December 6 & 7, 2004 - Advanced Training

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Spaces are still available for the Steward Training Level I (basic steward training) workshop and OH&S Steward Training. The workshops will be held at the HSA office at #300 - 5118 Joyce Street, Vancouver.

The dates are as follows. Please fax application forms ASAP.

Steward Training Level I
(three-day workshop)

All stewards are encouraged to apply for steward training to ensure they have the skills required to effectively fulfill their crucial roles representing HSA memebers.

The following dates have been set for Steward Training Level I (basic steward training) and Occupational Health and Safety steward training:

Steward Training Level I

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION