The battle against the COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on Ontario's health care system as never before. The people who work in our hospitals and other health care settings have exerted tremendous effort to care for all patients throughout the pandemic.
To do their jobs, the health care workers need to know that their working conditions are safe. How can hospitals and other health care providers protect them?
Through its Health and Safety Excellence program, the Workplace and Insurance Board (WSIB) offers practical advice to keep employees and communities safe in the event of a pandemic.
"People working in a safer environment can focus better on their work because they don't have to worry about their personal safety," said Rod Cook, VP of Workplace Health and Safety Services at the WSIB. "A safer working environment protects employees and, in turn, helps to positively affect patient care."
How it works
The program takes a practical, flexible approach to assessing and controlling workplace hazards. Delivered by WSIB-approved providers, the program consists of 36 topics over three levels (foundations, intermediate, advance). Each topic focuses on a specific health and safety initiative and there are five topics specifically related to pandemics:
- Risk assessment for COVID-19 related health and safety risks in the workplace, including home offices
- Hazard control to contain the spread of COVID-19 through engineering and administrative controls, and safe work practices
- Emergency prevention and preparedness to make sure the employers can meet challenges resulting from COVID-19 and other crises
- Emergency response work planning to address COVID-19 and prevent spread
- Workplace health promotion to support employees' mental health through the pandemic and foster a more engaged and resilient workforce.
In joining the Health and Safety Excellence program, hospitals and other healthcare organizations will receive COVID-19-related tools and resources from an approved provider to help them develop policies and procedures to meet sector-specific safety guidelines set out by the Ontario government.
Flexibility is a hallmark of the program. Depending on their need and capacity, program members can proceed at their own pace and change topics on their action plan, for example to topics relating to COVID-19.
Rebates and recognition
Program members earn rebates on their WSIB premiums and recognition as they complete each topic. Once they've completed a topic, they can proceed to validation. This is the final step, where members submit evidence of their work for assessment by WSIB health and safety experts.
The WSIB will take into account work that program members have already done to meet other, recognized standards, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Those meeting the program standards earn recognition to show employees and the public their commitment to health and safety. They are also eligible for the Ontario government's new Supporting Ontario's Safe Employers accreditation program.
"The people working in Ontario's health care system are front and centre in the fight against COVID-19 – that's in addition their many other responsibilities," said Cook. "Our Health and Safety Excellence program can provide health care employers crucial support to keep their people and their workplaces safe and, in so doing, make sure that they can be there for those who need them."
The WSIB website provides information on the Health and Safety Excellence program and how to get started.
Sign up for an information session to learn more or contact at healthandsafetyexcellence@wsib.on.ca