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.

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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

  • Safety huddle | Reportable situations

    Download this safety huddle to help guide your staff through the proper reporting procedures set out by your organization.

  • Safety committee basics

    Use our webpage to learn how you can support your Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees or Worker Representatives to fulfill their legal obligations in the workplace.

  • WorkSafeBC | Workplace Inspections

    Visit this webpage from WorkSafeBC to get a comprehensive look at what a workplace inspection should include.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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