How do we work together against violence in health care workplaces? For the first time ever, the annual international conference to counter violence in the health sector is taking place in North America.

More than 470 participants from around the world have gathered at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Richmond to hear from experts and take part in workshops at the Violence in the Health Sector ... Linking Local Initiatives with Global Learning conference.

Health Sciences Association, on behalf of the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA), is calling for the withdrawal of a province-wide policy that threatens to fire health science professionals who refuse to declare whether they have been vaccinated against seasonal flu.

The Report: September 2012 vol.33 num.3

Bill 14 is being heralded for making BC a leader on workplace mental health and stress. But in practice it will make life harder for employees facing mental stress.

BCs Provincial Health Officer Perry Kendall yesterday announced new measures for influenza prevention among health care workers and patients.

In May 2012, FORME Ergonomics was contracted by Marty Lovick, Senior Labour Relations Officer, Health Sciences Association of British Columbia, to investigate a query from a number of members regarding insufficient information  on cardiac ultrasonography contained in the Best Practices for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers package recently released by the Health Sciences Association. The objective was to complete a brief review of ergonomic concerns present in cardiac ultrasonography and determine whether additional information on this type of diagnostic sonography could be provided.

Health Sciences Association of BC offers its condolences to members, their families, and community as they deal with the devastating tragedy of the fire at the Lakeland Sawmill in Prince George

"On behalf of all HSA members, I offer our thoughts and prayers to our colleagues and their families in Prince George," said HSA President Reid Johnson.

-The tragedy in Prince George has affected the whole community, including the many HSA members who were called on to respond to emergency medical demands resulting from the explosion and fire," he said.

HSA President Reid Johnson said injury and fatality rates in BC are still far too high. "On the Day of Mourning, we honour workers who have died -- and we recommit to the fight to improve workplace health and safety," he said.

Bending over microscopes, scanning with an ultrasound transducer, positioning patients, entering patient data:  health and community social service professionals are at high risk of repetitive strain injuries.
 
On February 29 -- Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day ... HSA encourages you to assess your work station and environment, as well as your daily work flow and workload.  Are you taking your breaks?  Has your workload increased over the years for the same shift periods?
 

HSA is proud to support Pink Shirt Day in BC on February 29, and encourages members to show our solidarity by wearing pink on Wednesday.

The Pink Shirt Day initiative, originating in support for bullied youth, has grown to encompass concerns regarding violence in society as a whole. In particular, awareness is growing about bullying in workplaces.

HSA advocates for workplaces free of bullying and urges employers to view the elimination of bullying as a cornerstone of their programs for overall safety and prevention of violence.