Statute, Regulations,

Transcription

1 Statute, Regulations, Guidelines & Other Help Insurer, Regulator & Inspectorate 14 offices & worklocations across Province 3,200 staff 2 Andrew Wilson 1

2 2.3 million workers 93% covered 201, employers 128,000 new claims $1.36B paid out on claims $11B in claim reserves 3 General Duties Section 115(1): Every employer must ensure the health and safety of all workers working for that employer and any other workers present Section 116(1): Every worker must take reasonable care to protect... (the worker and other persons) 4 Andrew Wilson 2

3 Biohazardous Materials The employer must develop and implement an Exposure Control Plan meeting the requirements of Section 5.54, if a worker has or may have occupational exposure to a bloodborne pathogen, or to other biohazardous material as specified by the Board. The virus that causes pandemic influenza would be specified by WorkSafeBC as a biohazardous material and employers will be required to implement Exposure Control Plans. 5 Statement of purpose and responsibilities Risk identification, assessment and control Education and training Written work procedures, when required Hygiene facilities and decontamination procedures, when required Healthmonitoring monitoring, whenrequired Documentation, when required Reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary 6 Andrew Wilson 3

4 (1) A person must not carry out or cause to be carried out any work process or operate or cause to be operated any tool, appliance or equipment if that person has reasonable cause to believe that to do so would create an undue hazard to the health and safety of any person. 7 Not regulatory requirements. Practice documents associated with regulation that provide information, interpretive guidance, and WorkSafeBC decisions Two guidelines of importance: G Exposure control plan pandemic influenza G8.33(2) 1 Approved respirators 8 Andrew Wilson 4

5 Pandemic, seasonal and avian influenza The exposure control plan (ECP) Statement of purpose and responsibilities Risk identification and assessment Risk control Education and training Written work procedures Hygiene facilities and decontamination procedures Health monitoring Documentation 9 e.g. Health Care employees (Doctors, nurses) High Medium Lower risk (caution) e.g. Health Care support staff (EMTs, doctors, nurses) Staff with high frequency of contact with general public. (High volume retail, schools) Staff with minimal contact with public. (Many office workers) OSHA 2007 Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic. 10 Andrew Wilson 5

6 PPE Work practices Administrative practices Engineering controls e.g. no-touch washrooms, communications, cough & sneeze etiquette. e.g. HR/LR policies encouraging ill people to stay away, enabling telework, reduced face-face work. e.g. barriers protecting receptionists, security guards. OSHA 2007 Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic. 11 Low risk: Workers who typically have no contact with pandemic influenzainfected persons 2 Moderate risk: Workers who may be exposed to infected persons from time to time in relatively large, well ventilated workspaces 3 Yes (washing with plain or antimicrobial soap and water; or use of hand wipes that contain effective disinfectant) High risk: Workers who may have contact with infected patients, or with infected persons in small, poorly ventilated workspaces 4 Yes (washing with plain or antimicrobial soap and water; or use of hand wipes that contain effective disinfectant) Hand hygiene Yes (washing with plain or Yes (washing with plain or Yes (washing with plain or antimicrobial soap and water; or use of hand wipes that contain effective disinfectant) Disposable gloves Apron, Gown, or similar body protection (unless handling contaminated objects on a regular basis) Yes in some cases- e.g. when working directly with pandemic influenza patients. Yes in some cases- e.g. when working directly with pandemic influenza patients Eye protection - Goggles or Face shield Yes in some cases- e.g. when working directly with pandemic influenza patients) Airway Protection - respirators (unless likely to be exposed to coughing and sneezing) Yes (minimum N95 respirator or equivalent) 12 Andrew Wilson 6

7 Booklet available on web site. Addresses more than just pandemic flu. Contains some sample safe work procedures. 13 Thank you! Andrew Wilson WorkSafeBC Manager: Corporate Business Continuity Andrew Wilson 7