Safety Update #3

• Domestic Violence Survey: Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t?
• 2014 OH&S Training Opportunities
• HSA Occupational Health and Safety Conference – June 16-17, 2014
• Workplace Exposure Registry

Domestic violence survey:  Can Work Be Safe When Home Isn’t?
Have you completed your survey yet?

Help us learn more about the impact of domestic violence in the workplace. Fill out a 10-30 minute, anonymous online research survey at:  http://fluidsurveys.com/s/DVatWork/

You are eligible to participate in this research study whether or not you have personally experienced or witnessed domestic violence, as long as you are 15 years of age or older.

Upon completion of the survey, you have the option to enter a draw for a tablet computer.

This research survey, which will be available online in English and French until June 6, 2014 is a partnership of the Canadian Labour Congress and research experts at the University of Western Ontario and is the first-ever Canadian national survey on this issue. The Health Sciences Association of British Columbia is proud to support this initiative.

2014 OH&S Training Opportunities

1. Each member of a joint occupational health and safety committee is entitled to an annual educational leave totaling 8 hours, or a longer period if prescribed by regulation, for the purposes of attending occupational health and safety training courses conducted by or with the approval of the (Workers Compensation) Board.
2. A member of the joint committee may designate another member as being entitled to take all or part of the member’s educational leave.
3. The employer must provide education leave under this section without loss of pay or other benefits and must pay for, or reimburse the worker for, the costs of the training course and the reasonable costs of attending the course
   (Educational Leave (Section 135, Workers Compensation Act)

HSA Courses for OH&S Representatives/Safety Stewards - February 17-18 and March 3-4
There are still a few spots available in these 2 day courses. On line registration and details are available on the HSA website. Register On-line
 
BCFED 2014 Calendar
The BCFED Health & Safety Centre has released its 2014 public course schedule.  You can view the PDF schedule and course descriptions here: 2014 Course Schedule
 
BCFED OH&S courses are WCB approved, so therefore are eligible for reimbursement under the provisions of Section 135 (see above).
 
This year there are two new eight hour courses:
• Bullying and Harassment (reflecting new legislation effective Nov 1st 2013)
• Improving Return to Work Outcomes (linking primary and secondary prevention measures)

BCFED courses are designed by experts, based on real workplace situations, and delivered by experienced facilitators making learning easy, enjoyable and effective.

The Centre is the largest training provider of JHSC training in BC. Since 2001 the Centre has developed training by utilizing adult-oriented learning techniques aimed at preparing workplace committees to play a proactive role in the prevention of injuries and diseases.  Anyone (management, union, non-union,) can take our courses. Our mandate is to provide quality, cost effective education across BC.
 
5^th Annual Upper Island Safety Conference:  May 26-27, 2014 -  Campbell River
The Strathcona Regional District is hosting the 5th annual Upper Island safety conference and trade show. Safety committee members, managers, safety officers, and safety business owners are invited to learn, share and network.

HSA's Occupational Health and Safety Conference:  June 16-17, 2014
This year’s conference keynote speaker will be Dr. Joti Samra, the lead developer of Guarding Minds @ Work (GM@W): A Workplace Guide to Psychological Safety and Health, an innovative online resource used to address psychosocial threats in the work environment. Dr. Samra was also a member of the Technical Committee that developed Canada's first National Standard on Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003/BNQ9700).

Further conference details and registration information coming soon.

Have you been exposed to a harmful substance at work?
Visit the WorkSafeBC Exposure Registry to find out more.

Ideas for future topics?
Suggestions for OH&S Bulletin topics are always welcome.  Please send them to David Durning, Senior Labour Relations Officer – OH&S at ddurning@hsabc.