All work activities in your organizations expose workers to possible hazards. In the health and community service sector it can range from material and client/resident handling to infection control to electrical hazards. Safety does not happen by accident. Incidents happen because they were not prevented in the first place. Not only is "Safety the Right Thing to Do", but it makes good business sense. In our sector we continue to pay some of the highest rates in Nova Scotia. In this coming year we are seeing a reduction in all subsectors except one, however, it is still far too high. The best way to impact that cost is to reduce injuries and the best way to reduce the injury is through training and education of the workers who work in your organization.

When we look at a Health and Safety Management system there are several elements. Every staff member needs to understand the elements of this system, where they fit in it and how important of a role they play in the success of the overall safety of the organization. Many workers still believe that someone else is responsible for safety. The best way to change the way worker looks at safety is through training and education.

Everyone who works for you needs to know how to work safely with as minimal risk to health as possible. You must provide clear instructions, information and adequate training for your employees. Consider how much training is necessary. A proportionate approach is needed, for example a low-risk task may not need lengthy technical training. Providing simple information or instructions is likely to be sufficient. All people at your organization (including contractors and term/contracted employees working for you) shall have all appropriate information regarding:

• Hazards and risks they may face, if any

• Measures in place to deal with those hazards and risks, if necessary

• How to follow any emergency procedures

When you provide training, ask your employees what they think about it, to make sure it's relevant and effective. Keeping training records will help you to identify when refresher training might be needed. The information and training you provide should be in a form that is easy to understand. Everyone working for you should know what they are expected to do.

Some of your staff may have particular health and safety training needs, for example:

• New recruits

• People changing jobs or taking on extra responsibilities

• Young employees, who are particularly vulnerable to accidents

• JOSH Committee Members

Our website and train the trainer program can help you address you training needs.

  

 

Heather Matthews, OHS Specialist, AWARE-NS

 

References: 

http://www.rospa.com/occupationalsafety/adviceandinformation/smallfirmshealthandsafety
  

/advicepack/sheet1.aspx 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg449.pdf

 

 

 

The first three steps of the recourse guide have been competed and AWARE-NS and WCB have been Co-Leading workshops around the province to help facilitate  the implication of these elements of the program in your organization. The feedback from the first few workshop have been very positive. Many of the attendee are planning to use any of the resource in there organizations. There are still a few workshops around the province if you would like to attend please registrar via the link below.

 

Dates and locations of Workshops.

Oct  7      9 am-12 noon        Yarmouth

Oct 10     9 am-12 noon        Truro

Oct 15     1 pm-4 pm              Antigonish

 

REGISTAR NOW! at training@awarens.ca