INJURY AND ILLNESS MANAGEMENT

 

Click on any of the following links for detailed information.

 

·       ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

Ø    Type of accident to investigate

Ø    Investigation process

Ø    Report

·       ACCIDENT REPORTING

·       BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

·       FIRST AID

Ø    Facilities and supplies

Ø    First aid station

Ø    First aid register

·       WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD (WCB) CLAIMS

Ø    Employer report

Ø    Worker notification

Ø    Worker benefits

 

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

Type of accident to investigate

A fatality, a possible fatality or an accident that results in a worker being hospitalized for longer than 72 hrs must be investigated as soon as possible. The same requirement applies for a dangerous occurrence. A dangerous occurrence is one that did not result in a fatality, or serious injury but could have and includes contact with an energized electrical conductor and a spill of a toxic or corrosive substance. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 31)

 

Investigation process

The investigation must be carried by the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) co-chairs, the employer and representative, or the employer if there is no JHSC or representative.

 

For a fatality or possible fatality, the scene must be preserved until an officer completes an inspection.  (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 29-30)

 

Report

A written report must be prepared. The report must include the following: a description of the accident, photos or evidence to determine the cause of the accident, an explanation of the causes, immediate corrective action taken, and long term action to prevent a recurrence. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 29)

 

ACCIDENT REPORTING

An accident that causes a fatality, a possible fatality or that results in hospitalization of a worker for 72 hrs or more must be reported to the division as soon as practicable. A dangerous occurrence must also be reported immediately. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 8-9)

 

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

If there are workers who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace, there must be written bloodborne pathogens plan. The plan must include the following: identification of workers who are exposed, routes of entry and risk, signs and symptoms of disease, description of infection control and its limitations, procedures to be followed after exposure, methods of cleaning clothing and equipment, training provided to exposed workers, investigation of exposure incidents, and investigation of transmitted exposure. The plan must be reviewed every two years in consultation with the JHSC.

 

A copy of the plan must be made available to a potentially exposed worker.

 

Workers must be informed of vaccines that are available. The employer must provide vaccines at no cost to the worker and pay the worker for time spend being vaccinated.

 

The employer must arrange post exposure counseling and assessment for workers who have been exposed. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 85)

 

FIRST AID

The employer must provide personnel, supplies, and equipment for first aid at the worksite. All workplaces must have a minimum of a first aid box, manual and register. Additional requirements are based on the number of employees and the distance to medical facilities. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 54)

 

Facilities and supplies

Use the following chart to determine the requirements for first aid facilities and supplies for other work (e.g., photo processors, picture framers)

 

# of workers

per shift

Close (less than ½ hour)

Distant (1/2 – 2 hours)

Isolated (more than 2 hours)

2 – 4

Minimum

Minimum plus

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

Minimum plus

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

5 - 9

Minimum

Minimum plus

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

·  Class A attendant and supplies

Minimum plus

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

·  Class A attendant and supplies

10 - 99

Minimum plus

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

·   Class A attendant and supplies

Minimum plus

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

·  Class A attendant and supplies

Minimum plus

·  Class A attendant and supplies

100+

Minimum plus

·  2 Class A attendants and supplies

Minimum plus

·  First aid room

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

·  2 Class A attendants and supplies

Minimum plus

·  First aid room

·  Blankets, stretcher and splints

·  2 Class B attendants and supplies

 

(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, Table 9: Summary of First Aid Requirements)

 

First aid station

Every worksite must have a readily accessible first aid station that contains the required first aid supplies and a first aid manual. The location of the station must be clearly identified. An emergency procedure containing an emergency telephone list must be posted at the first aid station. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 56)

 

First aid register

The first aid station must have a first aid register. Each first aid treatment administered to a worker and each case referred to a physician must be recorded in the register. The register must be retained for five years after it ceases to be used. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 57)

 

WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD (WCB) CLAIMS

A reportable injury is one that occurs in the course of employment.

 

Employer report

Within five days of becoming aware of an injury that prevents a worker from earning full wages or that requires medical aid, the employer must notify the board in writing of the following: The nature, cause and circumstance of the injury, the time of the injury, the name and address of the injured worker, the place where the injury happened, the name and address of the attending physician, and any other relevant information.

 

Worker notification

The worker must notify his or her employer and the board of an injury as soon as possible after the injury occurs. The notice must include the name and address of the worker, the cause of the injury and the place where the injury occurred.

 

Worker benefits

If a worker is injured at work, he or she is entitled to compensation. The exception is when the injury is due to serious willful misconduct by the worker unless the injury results in death or a serious impairment. Compensation is payable beginning the day after the injury. (Workers Compensation Act 1979, 28-31, 45)

 

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