Occupational health and safety

Get Your Flu Shot! Flu season is fast approaching! In Canada, epidemics of influenza usually start during the late fall and last right through to early spring. Annual vaccination is highly recommended for all healthcare workers, particularly those who work with people who are at high risk for medical complications from influenza or more likely to require medical care (e.g...

HSA is sponsoring an Occupational Health and Safety Conference -Connections ... Advocating for a Safe and Healthy Workplace" November 20 and 21, 2008Hilton Vancouver Airport HotelThis conference is designed for experienced safety stewards to develop their understanding and to help ensure safe working conditions for all members. Learn from presenters from agencies such as OHSAH, WorkSafeBC, and other experts.Learn more...

Team OHSAH Team OHSAH successfully completed the Hoodoo 500 ultra-cycling race through 835 km of the Utah Canyonlands. From September 13-15, eight OHSAH employees undertook this physical and mental challenge to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation.The two teams ... OHSAH One and OHSAH Uno ... worked hard at training and fundraising. They not only raised $35,600 for the...

WorkSafeBC is hosting a half-day information session Tuesday, October 14 for social service and community care employers and workers. The focus will be on current and emerging trends in infectious diseases, including MRSA and TB, in high-risk communities. Registration is open, and not restricted to employers and workers in social services and community care. The session will be held Tuesday...

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. You can read it here.

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. Unfortunately, workplace fatalities continue to grow in Canada...

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. Download leaflet here.

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...

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.Completed application forms and transcripts must...

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. Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, are a major source of...