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Health Care Sector Plan 2008/09

Issued: September 19, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4249-7907-3
Print VersionPDF [ 169 Kb / 6 pages | Download Adobe Reader ]

Introduction

The purpose of the health care sector plan is to share with our stakeholders the manner in which the Ministry of Labour (MOL) will enhance health and safety compliance in this sector.

The plan contains a sector description, statistical data, environmental trends, major hazards, key issues and the 2008/2009 enforcement focus. To describe the sector, Standard Industrial Classification codes and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) rate groups are provided.

To improve health and safety in the health care sector, the MOL is joined by partners in Ontario's occupational health and safety system, which include the WSIB, and the Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare (OSACH). These organizations work with the MOL to develop coordinated strategies directed at problem areas.

Sector Summary--Health Care

Description

Size

History of Lost-Time Injuries (LTIs)

LTI
(Total Count for 2006)		 Health/Community Care Sector Group Homes Long-Term Care Homes Hospitals Nursing Services Professional Offices/Agencies Treatment Clinics/Specialized Services Total
Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Other 2,624 139 580 1,084 223 112 278 5,040
MSD Client Handling 2,308 123 712 932 303 12 59 4,449
Slips and Falls 1,372 88 45 437 437 81 179 2,639
Contact/Struck 910 58 39 393 393 34 88 1,915
Violence/Aggression 703 139 6 225 225 12 59 1,390
Exposure 662 13 15 245 245 9 87 1,276
Not Classified 201 8 7 91 91 6 14 418
Transportation 185 7   17 17 30 36 292
Fire and Explosion 4 1   1 1   1 8
LTI Frequency
(average LTI rate per 100 workers)		 2.56 3.56 3.51 1.86 2.56 0.73 1.53 2.12
Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare

Environment (growth, trends, etc.)

Major Hazards

Key Issues

Enforcement Focus

All hospital networks and/or hospitals will be inspected.

Enforcement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Regulation for Health Care and Residential Facilities (O. Reg. 67/93).

It is recommended that Inspectors pay particular attention to the following enforcement focus topics and issues. This is not intended to be an exclusive list.

Infection Prevention and Control:

Frontline and support health care staff are continually at risk from exposure to pathogens in the workplace both on an ongoing basis and in the event of an influenza pandemic. Workplaces are required to have in place written measures and procedures to protect workers from exposure to infectious diseases. Consultation with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative, and worker training are required.

Needle Safety:

As of September 1, 2008, the Needle Safety Regulation (O. Reg. 474/07) will come into effect in hospitals. Workplaces need to be in compliance when the regulation comes into effect.

Musculoskeletal Disorders:

Result in the greatest number of LTIs, followed by slips, trips, falls and contact with equipment.

Workplace Violence Prevention:

Health care workers experience a large number of injuries in the workplace. Violence prevention measures and procedures and worker training are required.

Workplace Safety Culture and the Internal Responsibility System (IRS):

Safety in the workplace is a partnership between the employer and workers. Workplaces are required to have a JHSC or Health and Safety Representative in place, which must conduct meetings and inspections in accordance with the Act. Supervisors are required to be competent persons as defined under the Act. Verification to ensure at least one worker member and at least one employer member are certified as JHSC members (core/basic and workplace specific) is required.

Reporting Occupational Illnesses:

Health care associated infections in health care workers, acquired as a result of workplace exposures, are occupational illnesses that must be reported to the Ministry of Labour in accordance with the OHSA s.52(2) and the Regulation for Health Care and Residential Facilities (O.Reg. 67/93) s.5(5).

Exposures to Chemical, Biological and Radiological Hazards:

There are injuries associated with exposure to chemical, biological and radiological substances present in the workplace.

Emergency Preparedness and Response:

Workers in health care facilities should be prepared and trained for emergencies such as, fires, blackouts, terrorist events, adverse weather, etc.

Asbestos:

Older health care facilities may contain asbestos; if they do, inspecting the asbestos-containing material is required.

Ventilation maintenance and monitoring:

Ventilation is required to be inspected every six months, and the report presented to the JHSC or Health and Safety Representative.

Lifting Devices and Mobile Equipment:

Lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person. Workers must be trained in their use before operating.

Transportation:

Home care health care workers are a growing segment of the health care population, spending an increasing amount of time in vehicles. Injuries and some fatalities have been recorded.

MSDSs and WHMIS:

The health care sector employs a wide variety of chemicals in liquid, solid, and gaseous states. Because health care workers are at risk of exposure to chemicals in the workplace, they are required to have access to current MSDSs and training in WHMIS.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code

WSIB Rate Groups

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Last modified: September 30, 2008