Healthcare

The government is working with the healthcare industry in sponsorship of the:

1. Alberta Healthcare Industry Health and Safety Initiative (Initiative) aimed at reduction of workplace injuries and illness in the healthcare sector, and,

2. Health Workforce Action Plan (HWAP) which identifies government-led priority actions to retain the existing health workforce.

Healthcare Resources

• A Physician’s Guide to Occupational Health and Safety Responsibilities
  

  Developed jointly by the department and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta to assist physicians and their staff, as employers and as workers, to understand and maintain compliance with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code to ensure the health and safety of themselves, their co-workers and their employees.

• No Unsafe Lifts
  

  The No Unsafe Lift Workbook is designed to provide a provincial framework for healthcare employers to develop and implement comprehensive musculoskeletal injury prevention program for their facilities.

• Healthcare Compliance Strategy
  

  Strategies and best practices to reduce workplace injury and illness in the healthcare sector.

• 2009/2010 H1N1 Inspection Program Protocol
  

  Outlines a focused inspection protocol directed at ensuring that healthcare workers with the highest potential exposure to the 2009 H1N1 virus are adequately protected at the work site.

Best Practices Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Industry

A series of best practices guidelines that describe methods for employers and workers in the healthcare industry to improve health and safety.

• Volume 1: Overview of Best Practices in Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Industry
  

  (BP009)

• Volume 2: Best Practices for the Assessment and Control of Biological Hazards
  

  (BP010)

• Volume 3: Best Practices for the Assessment and Control of Chemical Hazards
  

  (BP011)

• Volume 4: Best Practices for the Assessment and Control of Physical Hazards
  

  (BP012)

• Volume 5: Best Practices for the Assessment and Control of Psychological Hazards
  

  (BP013)

eLearning Awareness Program

This eLearning program focuses on the basic principles of occupational health and safety in the healthcare industry and the requirements of OHS legislation. It is designed to help workers identify workplace hazards and understand and promote best practices.

• Occupational Health and Safety for Healthcare Workers

Occupational Health and Safety Handbook for Post-Secondary Institutions Offering Health Programs

Fourteen professional-specific OHS Handbooks have been developed by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, for use by post-secondary instructors of health programs. Each handbook is derived as a summary of information contained in the Best Practices Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety in the Healthcare Industry. A Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist also accompanies each Handbook for use by the instructors or students.

Download only (printed copy not available)

Community Clinics and Doctors’ Offices

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Continuing Care Facilities

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Dental Workers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Healthcare Administrative Workers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Homecare Providers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Laboratory Workers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Medical and Surgical Staff

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Medical Emergency Response Personnel

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Mental Health Workers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Pharmacy Workers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Respiratory Therapy Personnel

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Public Health Workers

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist

Staff in Central Processing

• Handbook of Occupational Hazards and Control
• Knowledge and Skills Assessment Verification Checklist