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Programs and Services

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Leading from the Inside Out
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  • "This program is great and well facilitated. I hope that more healthcare leaders can have the opportunity to participate in this kind of program."
  • "This is a good program and especially helpful to have other participants in the same field of work."
  • "I thought Callie did a great job at providing opportunities for everyone in the group to open, honest and to share their valuable experiences with others."
  • "Working with the other leaders was the most rewarding – to hear other leaders and their struggles and together coming up with self-care strategies to better cope with work-life balance"
Guidelines & Regulations

Guidelines and Regulations

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WorkSafeBC’s healthcare and social services planned inspection initiative focuses on high-risk activities in the workplace that lead to serious injuries and time-loss claims.
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WorkSafeBC is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to the Current Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual that guide wage rate decisions related to short-term and long-term disability compensation. Recommended amendments include: These changes may affect your claims costs. Click here to view the proposed changes and offer feedback to WorkSafeBC – The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, […]
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Safety Month - March 2023

Client Handling

Manual client handling and other physical tasks can cause overexertion of your muscles to cause injury. Musculoskeletal injuries are sprains and strains to the muscles and surrounding tissues, which can have life-long impacts These are the leading type of injury for home and community care workers.

If you have an injury caused by overexertion or repetitive movement, you may see redness or swelling, feel a dull or aching pain, or experience weakness.

Preventing musculoskeletal injuries

  • Ensure that you have reviewed the client assessment and are familiar with the mobility requirements of your client
  • Use equipment, such as portable lifts, transfer boards and rails, whenever possible
  • Read the care plan and check for hazards to assess the risks every time you transfer or reposition a client (See Resource Section – Point of Care Risk Assessment)
  • Avoid awkward positions as much as possible and ask your client to assist when appropriate
  • Report changes in the client’s abilities so that the care plan can be adjusted
  • Report workplace injuries early so that they can be treated quickly
  • Check out additional resources and tools on SafeCare BC’s website

Are you prepared?

  • I have ensured that the room is tidy and clutter-free to allow me space to work
  • I am aware of my client’s mobility needs
  • My supervisor has provided me with instruction and training on the safe use of available mechanical aids or other equipment
  • I am providing my client with cues to help me with all transfers and repositioning tasks
  • I have reported information relating to my client’s changing condition that affects his or her ability to transfer or follow directions
  • I am aware of the signs and symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury and will report to my supervisor if I am injured
  • I know to notify my supervisor immediately if it is unsafe for me to proceed

Have questions about this month's topic? Ask us!

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Client Handling

Featured Resources

WorkSafeBC’s healthcare and social services planned inspection initiative focuses on high-risk activities in the workplace that lead to serious injuries and time-loss claims.
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Musculoskeletal Injuries are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries, such as sprains and strains, in both long-term care and community health support services.
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Client Handling resources

There are some essential things to remember to ensure proper care and assistance for residents.
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Safe handling peer coach training Workshop
Arrowsmith Lodge - Parksville,
April 29th @ 8:30am to 4:30pm
Starting at $220
April 29th @ 8:30am to 4:30pm
Arrowsmith Lodge, Parksville,
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Haro Park Centre is a campus of care located in the West End of Vancouver, offering independent housing, assisted living and residential care to senior citizens. Haro Park has a number of innovative programs and initiatives in place to promote a positive culture of safety.
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Patient handling is the top cause of injury among health care workers. Care workers who manually transfer or reposition patients are at significant risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) such as sprains or strains. This bulletin outlines the risk assessments employers and workers should do to help reduce the risk of MSIs.
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Want to learn more about what you can do to prevent injuries at work? SafeCare BC is always offering a variety of workshops throughout the province. We are committed to providing outstanding professional development for continuing care workers in BC as well as connecting continuing care workers to other professional development opportunities.
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From lifting heavy objects to helping residents and clients move, there is always a risk of injury if your body is not prepared for a wide range of movement. While it is commonly thought that stretching is the best way to warm up, SafeCare BC recommends going for a brisk walk instead.
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Creating a safe work environment involves more than just a list of policies, it requires people who look out for one another. Giving positive reinforcement to your staff or co-worker can not only make them feel good, but it can also contribute towards creating a culture of safety. As the video shows, no task is too small to celebrate.
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You can use the Safe Handling Program Checklist to verify the components of a safe handling program, including development, management and staff involvement, needs assessments, equipment, education and training, and evaluation.
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Developing a Safe Handling program for your organization doesn’t have to be hard. It begins with five steps.
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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 estimated that the cost of claims alone over the past five years is more than $85 million.
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This webinar will provide you with the information to learn more about controls that enhance your safe resident handling system in your workplace.
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Musculoskeletal injuries related to resident handling are the number one cause of injury in long term care. Back strains alone account for 30% of all work-related injuries reported; other strains account for 44%.
Files Attached
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Learn to regularly use point of care assessments to identify MSI risks and make practical choices to avoid injury.
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Starting at $100
Are you already familiar with Safe Handling techniques, but want to share your knowledge and expertise with others at your workplace? Are you looking to train your staff in a cost-effective and efficient manner?
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Starting at $110
Are you a continuing care worker, but don’t know the safest practices when it comes to handling the persons receiving care?
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News Story
2018 Safety Den Winners
June 1, 2018
Continuing Care Category | Revera Living Revera’s low-tech safety idea is the creation of a ‘luggage tag’ style ID for a resident’s walker or wheelchair. One side of the letter-size sheet has a visual cue for the resident—a picture from their youth, one of a loved one, or a prominent memory, with a brief description […]
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Due to the potential for psychological and physical trauma to residents and staff, these incidents flag risks that need to be addressed to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, particularly those with dementia and staff.
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Melody Bi is a licensed practical nurse and has been a nurse supervisor for the past three years with the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society, one of the largest community care service providers.
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Musculoskeletal injuries are the leading type of injury for both long-term care and home care and support workers. That’s why investing in safe handling training is critical.
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Before becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse, Lee Frederick taught for 10 years in China. So, it’s little surprise that he is now using his teaching skills in his current role as a nurse at Parksville’s Arrowsmith Lodge.
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The Provincial Safe Resident Handling Standards for Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention in British Columbia, outline an ergonomics/human factors approach to safe handling. These standards were developed by the Provincial Residential Care Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Team with input from stakeholders and organizations, including unions, frontline workers, clinical nurse leads, and many more.
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Safe handling is as important for you and your co-workers as for residents and clients. John works in continuing care. See what makes him happy.
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We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
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