Leadership
Information for Managers and Supervisors
Creating a safe work environment starts from the top. As a leader, you can play an important role in fostering a culture of health and safety to keep your staff safe.
12 months of safety for September| Infection Prevention and Control
September is the start of Autumn! Going into the fall season it is good practice to be mindful of ways to prevent and reduce the transmission of communicable diseases. Changing weather and increased indoor activities also pose extra challenges. There are several things that you can do to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases in the workplace:
- Stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects on a regular basis.
- Follow cough etiquette by coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a tissue.
- Use personal protective equipment when required.
Vaccines are an effective measure against preventable disease. In addition to the measures above, be sure that you are up to date with vaccinations heading into the flu season.
As always, we’re here to support you. We’ve created a collection of resources and information to support you in infection prevention and control. If you would like further assistance from us, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us at info@safecarebc.ca.
Learn more about infection prevention and control, and vaccines:
Have questions about this month's topic? Ask us!
Infection Prevention and Control resources
POSTER | Hand Washing
Hang this poster in your organization to remind staff and visitors about the importance of hand hygiene.
More health and safety topics
12 months of safety for August | Workplace inspections
Workplace inspections are an essential incident prevention tool in your organization’s occupational health and safety program.
Inspections involve critically examining the workplace to identify and record hazards for corrective action. Effective inspection programs reduce incidents and property damage and improve worker communication and company morale.
We’ve created a collection of resources and information to support you with different types of inspections.
Learn more about workplace inspections:
Have questions about workplace inspections? Ask us!
Workplace inspection resources
VIDEO | The Safety Inspection Process (WorkSafeBC)
WorkSafeBC created this video to help you better understand the inspection process so that it will be more efficient and productive.
More health and safety topics
12 months of safety for January | Violence prevention
Acts of violence towards healthcare workers are the second leading cause of injury for long-term care workers and the third leading cause of workplace injury for home and community health support.
By investing in violence prevention policies, procedures and education we can work together to reduce the risk of injury. When this happens, we create a more positive working environment, resulting in a higher quality of care for residents and clients. We’ve created a collection of resources and information to help you create a more positive work environment that reduces injuries or acts of violence in your workplace.Learn more about violence prevention at the links below
Have questions about violence prevention in your workplace? Ask us!
Risk assessment resources
SAFETY HUDDLE | Safe handling during showers
Use this safety huddle to help reinforce staff’s use of the point-of-care risk assessment.
More health and safety topics
Injury Reporting
mental health
Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Conditions such as stress, anxiety, and loneliness can negatively impact your overall well-being.
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention
Musculoskeletal Injuries come from the strain we put on our bodies—often as a result of some of the tasks performed at work, such as lifting and reaching.
Respiratory Protection
Respiratory Protection
Respirators—such as N95s—are an important layer of protection against infection. Respiratory hazards can include airborne contaminants, such as biological contaminants, dusts, mists, fumes, and gases.
OHS basics
Responsibilities
In British Columbia, everyone in the workplace has specific responsibilities when it comes to health and safety – whether you’re a worker, supervisor, employer, owner, or contractor.
Home and community care
Road safety
Community and home care workers will often drive, or take transit, to a client’s home as part of their job. This means that if you are driving, your car is your mobile workplace while you are visiting clients. Being on the road can be dangerous if you are not prepared.
Safe Handling
According to WorkSafeBC statistics, musculoskeletal injuries are the number one cause of staff injuries in BC’s continuing care sector. The economic cost of these injuries is easy to measure. It’s
Home and community care
Slips and falls
Slips, trips and falls are the second most common injury for home and community health workers. As you enter a client’s home, there may be uneven or slippery surfaces outside. Weather, outside environment, and clutter inside the home may result in tripping hazards.
Home and community care
Unrestrained animals
Unrestrained animals, either on approach to a home or inside the home, can create an unsafe work environment.
Violence prevention
Violence Prevention
Violence-related injuries are a growing concern in the continuing care sector.
Home and community care
Working alone
When working alone, you may face a risk of violence, as the care you are providing may cause a client to feel nervous or agitated. Being exposed to violent or aggressive behaviour is not part of your job.
