SASWH Connects Magazine Issue 2 : simplebooklet.com

CONTENTSSASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CACEO Update ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................1AGM - Powerful Safety Cultures in the Mature Economy .....................................................................................................3AGM - Denmark Vendlet System..............................................................................................................................................................5AGM - Event Details and Registration .................................................................................................................................................7Continuing Education Credits (CEC) ...................................................................................................................................................9Emergency Response for Home Operators ....................................................................................................................................11Compliance Corner - Addressing Frequent Contraventions in Healthcare .........................................................13Preparing for a Safe Year in 2025 ........................................................................................................................................................... 19New Resource - OHS 101: Series of Seven ......................................................................................................................................21Program Spotlight - Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) ............................................................................................................23Updates and Upcoming Events ............................................................................................................................................................. 24

Page 4

 want to start by extending a Happy New Year to our readers! I am so excited for the safety-focused work SASWH has mapped for the year ahead to best support our mem-bers in improving health and safety in healthcare. A few nota-ble emerging initiatives for the Association are our communica-tions strategy as well as a series of emergency preparedness work-shops.SASWH is currently undergoing a brand refresh as part of our com-munications strategy, which will be rolled out later in 2025. We are also expanding on the support SASWH currently offers to home operators, particularly in the areas of emergency preparedness and contingency planning. In Janu-ary, SASWH hosted the first work-shop, which was well-attended, and participant feedback shared that they came away with more knowledge on emergency plan-ning procedures and felt better prepared to address this topic with their teams. SASWH hopes to offer more of these workshops as the year progresses. If you are a home operator in Saskatchewan interested in attending a future session, email info@saswh.ca to be added to our notification list for upcoming sessions!One other safety topic I would like to draw attention to in this update is hazards in the workplace, and what to do about them. As a team, SASWH has been reflecting that the greatest hazard in our work-place is ‘windshield time’ – time spent behind the wheel while travelling on Saskatchewan roads. Our Safety Specialists travel far and wide in order to meet the needs of our members – in 2024 alone, SASWH staff travelled a collective 140,741 kilometres! To ensure worker safety, our team collects data from a variety of sources to make informed deci-sions about when travel is – and is not – appropriate. The Highway Hotline, road condition reports, feedback from our site contact(s) on the weather in their location – all of this information is used to make the call! While it doesn’t happen often, SASWH may need to reschedule training sessions which require travel when road conditions are unfavourable. We are grateful to our members for their understanding when these incidents do occur! Thanks to this focus on safety, I am proud to share that SASWH has only had one time loss injury over the past ten years.I would encourage all employers and workers to think on the great-est hazard in your workplace, and to reflect on the controls currently in place – or controls that could be put in place – to reduce the risk of injury associated with that hazard. Addressing risks one at a time and applying safe practices is the best way to show your sup-port for workplace safety!One last note: please be sure to register for our upcoming virtual Annual General Meeting and Edu-cational Presentation on March 25th, 2025! We hope everyone in attendance benefits from the theme of Innovation Reduces Injury.I hope you enjoy this issue of SASWH Connects.Sandra Cripps CEO UPDATESASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• UPDATES •

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

INNOVATIONREDUCES POWERFUL SAFETY CULTURES IN THE MATURE ECONOMYSPEAKER: PAUL KRISMERYou probably have a solid, well-established written safety program. Your people know what they’re supposed to do – but are they doing it? Breakdowns in safety often occur because of the persistent, yet sometimes hidden, emphasis on productivity over safety, and indifference to safe job pro-cedures. These problems can be resolved through simple, consistent actions as part of a long-term commitment to positive safety cultures.In this inspirational introduction to the science of positive psychology, learn about the research results that prove happiness leads to greater safety success. If your company knows “what to do”, but too often finds staff and manage-ment fail to do it, you will come away with new insights about how to powerfully engage employees and create impactful, effective corporate culture.Paul Krismer has a proven track record as an inspirational leader and spent 20 years as a Safety and Disability Manage-ment leader. As a public speaker and trainer, Paul’s authentic and passionate commitment to his subject matter shines through. Each presentation is packed with useful information and practical tools on the science of positive emotions. He gets the point across that increased happiness has serious outcomes – improved safety and reduced disability.Paul is the best-selling author of Whole Personal Happiness: How to be Well in Body, Mind and Spirit, and is a proud member of the International Positive Psychology Association and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.INJURYSASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING •

Page 8

Page 9

Musculoskeletal injuries account for more than half of the time loss injuries in Saskatchewan’s healthcare sector. The Vendlet system is an automatic repositioning system manufactured by Direct Healthcare Group in Denmark, and research and development efforts are currently underway to bring this technology to Canada. The introduction of some promising research out of the University of Moncton by researchers, Dr. Michelle Cardoso and Dr. Wayne Albert, suggests that the use of patient handling training combined with Vendlet technology could reduce the potential of an MSI from occurring and improve patient care and worker safety.Dr. Cardoso and Dr. Albert have applied a multi-disciplinary approach to achieving their research goal of implementing evidence-based solutions into practice. To do this, it is first important to understand the underlying injuries in the workplace and the potential areas of concern. This requires an epidemiological investigation of the work environment and its employee injury trends. The key evidence-based injury research is embedded in the ergonomic assessment of everyday tasks and the interaction with workplace equipment to determine the demands on human physical, physiological and cognitive abilities, and the potential for risk of injury.SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING •"The use of patient handling training combined with Vendlet technology could reduce the potential of an MSI from occurring and improve patient care and worker safety."

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Many healthcare workers are required to continue developing their skills and knowledge to maintain designations or certification as a regulated professional. Some of the training programs offered by SASWH have been approved for continuing education credits (CEC). The Saskatchewan College of Paramedics has approveded the Defensive Driving Train the Trainer Program for eight CECs. To clarify which SASWH programs are eligible for CECs, contact your regulatory body or SASWH at info@saswh.ca. SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• TRAINING •REDITSCECONTINUINGDUCATION

Page 13

Page 14

EMERGENCY RESPONSE According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the definition of an emergency is “an unexpected event which places life and/or property in danger and requires an immediate response through the use of routine community resources and procedures.” Emergency response planning for private care homes is crucial to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of residents and workers. Challenges that must be addressed as part of an Emergency Response Plan will depend on the residents of a facility: elderly clients, residents with mobility issues or cognitive issues must be considered during the development and implementation of the Plan.The Emergency Management Continuum (see diagram below) is a tool used to help communities, facilities and organizations prepare for and mitigate the damage from emergencies. The continuum is made up of four parts: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• BEST PRACTICES •FOR HOME OPERATORS

Page 15

Regular Drills: Conduct regular emergency drills that include fire, earthquake, and other scenario-based evacuations. Adapt drills to address the specific challenges of a care home environment.Staff Training: Train staff on emergency response procedures, evacuation protocols, first aid, CPR, and the use of fire extinguishers. Make sure they know how to respond to residents with specific needs.Collaboration With Local Emergency Services: Coordinate with local emergency responders, such as fire departments and Paramedics to familiarize them with the facility layout and resident needs, improving response times. PREPAREDNESSWith a well-developed Emergency Response Plan in place, as well as staff who are prepared to react thanks to regular drills and relevant training, the facility should be able to provide a competent and effective response to incidents.RESPONSEHome care operators and workers often work on tight deadlines and under heavy workloads, and training can fall by the wayside. However: letting essential training and emergency planning go unaddressed will have a significant impact on the time it takes a facility to recover from an emergency situation. According to FEMA, 40% of companies do not re-open after a disaster, and another 25% fail within a year of re-opening. Taking proactive steps to mitigate the impact of a disaster is the best way for home operators to reduce these risks and keep their workers and residents safe.RECOVERYRisk Assessment: Conduct a thorough assessment to identify potential risks specific to the care home’s location and population (i.e. fire, flood, medical emergencies, power outages).Emergency Plan Development: Develop a comprehensive emergency plan that outlines procedures for different types of emergencies, ensuring it’s specific to the facility’s layout and resident needs.Resident Risk Profiles: Create risk profiles for each resident that detail their mobility, cognitive status, and any special medical needs to aid in personalized emergency planning.Evacuation Routes and Exits: Design and regularly update evacuation routes to account for residents with limited mobility or cognitive challenges. Ensure exits are clearly marked and accessible.Resident Tracking: Implement a tracking system to account for all residents during an evacuation, ensuring no one is left behind.Transportation Arrangements: Establish agreements with transportation providers (ambulances, wheelchair-accessible vans) for quick assistance in evacuating residents if needed.PREVENTION AND MITIGATIONSASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• BEST PRACTICES •

Page 16

COMPLIANCE CORNERIn the safety world, the word contravention is often used in conversation. Contravention means an action that violates the law. So, when an employer receives a notice of contravention dealing with safety, they are being told they are not following employment law; namely The Saskatchewan Employment Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.Contraventions can be filed against employers in every industry, but healthcare faces unique challenges which are reflected in the sector’s commonly issued notices. SASWH has tailored our offerings to address the most frequently cited contraventions in the G22 (healthcare) rate code.Addressing Frequent Contraventions in Healthcare“CONTRAVENTIONS CAN BE FILED AGAINST EMPLOYERS IN EVERY INDUSTRY”FREQUENT OHS REGULATION CITATIONS FOR G22SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA❶OHS REG 6-18 Musculoskeletal Injuries• OHS COMPLIANCE •OHS REG 31-4 Patient Moving and Handling❷

Page 17

Safety Talks are available on proper body mechanics, environmental services best practices, safe patient handling and equipment, object moving, and more. Delivering a Safety Talk during a team-wide “huddle” is one method to remind workers of best practices and reinforce that safety is everyone’s responsibility.TLR training emphasizes minimal use of manual effort with the maximum use of equipment to reduce the risk of injury to workers and their clients. This program is interactive, informative, and requires students to demonstrate appropriate moving techniques and an understanding of safe body mechanics. SASWH offers TLR in several formats to best suit the needs of the participants:• TLR Object Moving Only for workers who lift or transfer materials as part of their job.• TLR Client & Object Moving for workers who provide care to patients as part of their job.• TLR EMS for EMS workers who deal with patients in uncontrolled environments.PREVENTION SERVICES OFFERED BY SASWH TRANSFERRING LIFTING REPOSITIONING TLR®SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CALEFT PHOTO:Power Lift - One WorkerRIGHT PHOTO:Repositioning with Mechanical LiftSAFETY TALKS• OHS COMPLIANCE •

Page 18

Page 19

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE OHC LEVEL IAll committee members should complete OHC Level I. This program provides information on the legislated requirements and duties of an OHC, how to conduct and record meetings, the identification, assessment and control of hazards, and how to create recommendations for corrective actions.SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CAPREVENTION SERVICES OFFERED BY SASWHOCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COMMITTEE OHC LEVEL IIManagers, supervisors and committee members who participate in workplace inspections and investigations should complete OHC Level II. This program trains participants on finding the root cause(s) of incidents and what steps must be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.This training provides supervisors with the information they need to create and promote a safe environment, prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, and enhance their facility’s safety culture. Participants must be supervisors as outlined in the legislation: “A person who is authorized by an employer to oversee or direct the work of workers.”SAFETY FOR SUPERVISORS• OHS COMPLIANCE •

Page 20

Page 21

PART training provides workers with the understanding of, and ability to assess, potentially violent situations and a means to manage, reduce or eliminate risks. PART interventions can be used when the primary and back-up treatment/care plans fail, and workers are faced with an immediate threat of injury. PART is not a self-defence program. SASWH offers PART in various levels depending on the level of risk a worker may be exposed to on the job:PART Basic focuses on the identification of potentially violent situations, basic verbal techniques (e.g., validation, de-escalation, redirection), and the importance of proper documentation and communication.PART Intermediate includes all content covered in Basic as well as the principles of effective breakaway and evasion techniques.PART Advanced includes all content covered in Basic and Intermediate as well as the principles of effective manual restraint techniques.SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• OHS COMPLIANCE •PREVENTION SERVICES OFFERED BY SASWHWorkplace Violence Prevention Resources are available at no cost on SASWH’s website with the goal of preventing injuries in healthcare caused by violence and acts of aggression and building a stronger culture of safety. Employers can access resources such as:• Workplace Violence Risk Assessment (WVRA) toolkit;• Individual Client Risk Assessment (ICRA) toolkit, and;• Personal Safety Response System (PSRS) toolkit. SASWH would like to thank our partners in Ontario, PSHSA, for sharing these resources with Saskatchewan!TOP PHOTO: Rear Forearm ChokeBOTTOM PHOTO: Knee to the GroinFOR MORE INFORMATION ON TRAINING SERVICES AND OTHER RESOURCES, CONTACT SASWH AT INFO@SASWH.CA. PROFESSIONAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TRAINING

Page 22

Page 23

ITEM DONE NOTES1Verify all workers are trained according to the risk of their roles prior to starting work or taking on new responsibilities.2Review Job Safety Analysis (JSA) with all workers. New hires should review the JSA for their role prior to starting work, and existing staff should review the JSA for their role annually or more frequently if there is a change in their job responsibilities.3Audit training requirements and status for all staff, and ensure staff are trained to risk of role as defined in their JSA and schedule training sessions as needed.4Conduct regular preventive maintenance on all patient lifting equipment as per manufactures recommendations and guidelines.5Set regular equipment inspection reminders.6Check expiration dates on products in the workplace, such as: first aid kits, AED kits, and disposable respirators.7Audit the organization’s Safety Data Sheet binder.8Schedule annual maintenance inspections for fire extinguishers and emergency lighting systems, as well as monthly fire extinguisher inspections by a manager.9Evaluate the Emergency Response Plan to ensure information is still current and accurate, and schedule a team-wide meeting to review the updated Plan and ensure all staff understand their roles in an emergency situation.10Set dates for workplace fire drills and emergency preparedness drills (minimum frequencies for conducting fire drills are regulated by the Fire Code) and, if available, include local fire departments for some drills.11Conduct root cause investigations on incidents and keep workers informed on how the risk has been eliminated, and/or ways the risk of reoccurrence has been reduced.SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• BEST PRACTICES •SAFETY CHECKLIST

Page 24

Series of SEVENSASWH is pleased to announce the release of a new online resource available to our membership free of charge! OHS 101: Series of Seven is a sequence of modules which contain supplemental information intended to support new hires, home operators, managers, or supervisors who may be new to the healthcare sector.These modules are educational in nature and are not a substitute for the required safety education and training a worker needs for their role.NEW RESOURCEEDUCATIONAL MODULESSASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• RESOURCES • 

Page 25

Series of SEVENModule 1 introduces learners to various aspects of legislation and provides a clearer understanding of the responsibilities an employer bears in fostering a safe and secure working environment.MODULE 1LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE AND ROLE CLARITYModule 2 highlights the online tools and resources available to healthcare workers in Saskatchewan, as well as how employers can build a Workplace Violence Program and implement Workplace Violence Risk Assessments in their organization.MODULE 2VIOLENCE PREVENTIONModule 7 provides additional clarity regarding the roles of system partners as they pertain to safety. MODULE 7SYSTEM PARTNERS IN SAFETYModule 6 outlines supervisors’ legal responsibilities regarding health and safety in the workplace, and instructs learners on how to locate information relevant to their workplace in the Saskatchewan legislation.MODULE 6SAFETY FOR SUPERVISORSA well-developed and functional Occupational Health and Safety Committee is imperative to workplace safety and wellness. Module 5 explains what makes for an effective committee.MODULE 5EFFECTIVE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE WORKAn Exposure Control Plan is a detailed plan for reducing and eliminating risks within the workplace. Module 4 outlines the essential topics that must be assessed when developing or updating an Exposure Control Plan.MODULE 4EXPOSURE CONTROL PLANSASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• RESOURCES •Module 3 is an introduction to the six key elements of a Safety Management System (SMS) . This tool is used to identify hazards for the health and safety of workers, and to put in place a process and/or policy to control those hazards. MODULE 3SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Page 26

FIRST AIDThe statistics around mental health are daunting: the Mental Health Commission of Canada has found that one in five people in Canada live with a mental illness each year, and that by age 40, one in two people will have – or have had – a mental illness. Along with its impact on the affected individual and their loved ones, poor mental health can lead to negative effects in the workplace, including interpersonal conflicts, reduced productivity, increased absenteeism and long-term disability claims, and a higher risk of unsafe work behaviours. One resource available to SASWH’s membership is Mental Health First Aid, a two-day program delivered in an SASWH classroom or at an employers’ workplace.Mental Health First Aid is a globally recognized, evidence-based program which provides participants with a baseline knowledge of common mental health issues and effective interventions. Contact SASWH at info@saswh.ca for more information on Mental Health First Aid training.RESOURCES FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADAHOW TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT WORKCOMMON MENTAL HEALTH MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONSBEING A MINDFUL EMPLOYEEMENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID "ALGES" REFERENCE TOOLWorkers and managers who complete this training should leave feeling more confident in their ability to:• Reduce the stigma around mental illnesses in their workplace;• Recognize the signs of common mental health problems;• Open lines of communication; and• Determine the best approach if they are concerned about a co-worker, family member or friend.SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• TRAINING PROGRAMS • MENTAL HEALTH 

Page 27

SASWH strives to work with our members to provide training in a comfortable environment for instructors and participants. Our Safety Specialists are available to hold closed training sessions at an employers’ worksite, but arrangements can also be made to use an SASWH training room in Regina or Saskatoon. If you are tight on space, don’t have the necessary equipment available, or just want one or two students to complete training, contact our Training Coordinators at info@saswh.ca to inquire about sessions held at SASWH facilities in Regina or Saskatoon!TRAINING SPACESHEALTH AND SAFETY EVENTSSASWH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGM 25, 2025VCCOHS FORUM THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORKM 27-28, 2025CALGARY, ABHEALTH AND SAFETY DAYSDAY OF MOURNING  APRIL 28SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK  MAY 510MENTAL HEALTH WEEK  MAY 511NATIONAL NURSING WEEK  MAY 1218SASWH CONNECTS MAGAZINE • ISSUE 2 • WWW.SASWH.CA• UPDATES •UPCOMING EVENTS

SASWH Connects Magazine Issue 2

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3