Workplace Safety

Resources

Resident Doctors of BC seeks to promote its members’ safety in the workplace, and offer resources for those who need them.

As employees, resident physicians have both rights and responsibilities when it comes to ensuring a safe workplace.

Residents have the right to:

  • Know about hazards in the workplace
  • Participate in health and safety activities in the workplace
  • Refuse unsafe work

Residents have a responsibility to:

  • Be alert to hazards. Report them immediately to your supervisor or employer.
  • Follow safe work procedures and act safely in the workplace at all times.
  • Use the protective clothing, devices, and equipment provided. Be sure to wear them properly.
  • Co-operate with joint health and safety committees, worker health and safety representatives, WorkSafeBC prevention officers, and anybody with health and safety duties.
  • Get treatment quickly should an injury happen on the job and tell the health care provider that the injury is work-related.
  • Follow the treatment advice of health care providers.
  • Return to work safely after an injury by modifying your duties and not immediately starting with your full, regular responsibilities.
  • Never work under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other substance, or if you’re overly tired.

It is against the law to penalise an employee for raising a health and safety issue!

Experienced an Injury in the Workplace?

Call the Provincial Workplace Health Call Centre to confidentially report an incident, exposure, or near miss at your facility

1 (866) 922-9464

Open daily 07:00 – 18:00 PST, if after hours please leave a message.

When they call you back, you are entitled and supported by both the employer and UBC to take clinical time to respond to the workplace call centre, any investigation that results and WorkSafeBC if necessary. If you would like support from Resident Doctors of BC during an investigation that is your right under the Workers Compensation Act and we are happy to provide that support.

Email
  • Bloodborne/Infection control

    Post-exposure management is required when Event, Exposure, Expectation, and Susceptibility are all present:

    Event • Involves penetration:
    o   Through percutaneous or permucosal barrier OR
    o   Via non-intact skin• Wound:
    o   <3days old
    o   OR
    with skin having compromised integrity (erosions, scratches, or burns)
    Exposure • Exposure to:
    o   Blood
    o   OR
    potentially infectious body fluid or tissue
    Expectation • Expectation that the source is infectious:
    o   Positive test
    o   OR
    Higher risk group
    o   OR
    Higher risk setting
    Susceptibility • The exposed person is considered susceptible to at least one of the following viruses:
    o   HIV
    No hx of a prior anti-HIV positive testo   ORHBV
    No hx of a protective antibody level following HBV vaccine series OR No hx of a test result indicating immunity from prior HBV infectiono   ORHCV
    No hx of a prior anti-HCV positive test

    Immediately do the following:

    Mucous membrane: Skin:
    –       Rinse with water and/or normal saline for at least 10 minutes
    –       If an eyewash bottle or eyewash station is available, use it    		 –       Wash well with soap and water
    –       Injury/wound site:
    –       Allow to bleed freely
    –       Do NOT squeeze, cut, scratch, or puncture the skin
    –       Do NOT add bleach
    –       Lightly cover with bandage

    Helpful Information:

    What to expect from the Occupational Health Nurse

    1. After exposure, you and the source person (if known) will be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV antibodies. The OHN will provide you with your results and will provide follow up recommendations based on the source results.
    2. When the source is high-risk or unknown, you will be sent laboratory requisitions for follow up blood-work for over the next nine monthsǂ.
    3. If you need to be revaccinated for Hepatitis B you will be advised by the nurse when she reports your test results.
    4. Please inform the OHN if you received HBIG, Hepatitis B, Tetanus booster and/or antiretrovirals in the ED.
    5. If an anti-retroviral medication starter kit is ordered by the physician in the ED and you decide to take it, you must contact your personal physician within two days to have the rest of the medication ordered and to have baseline blood tests done. Your physician will reorder the anti-retrovirals from the SPH Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. You must pick up the medication from SPH.

    What precautions to take until all results are negative?

    1. Inform your personal physician, dentist, and other healthcare providers that you are being tested for Hepatitis and HIV. Remember, as well, to inform them when testing is finished and you have the final results.
    2. Do not donate blood, body fluids, breast milk, tissue, sperm, or organs for nine months after the injury.
    3. Practice safe-sex: use condoms with water-based lubricant for all acts of sexual intercourse.
    4. Do not become pregnant. If you are pregnant of become pregnant, see your doctor or call the Oak Tree Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital at 604-875-2212 or toll-free at 1-888-711-3030.
    5. Discontinue breast-feeding, or express and discard the milk.
    6. Do not share toothbrushes, dental floss, razors, needles, or any other implements that may be contaminated with blood or body fluids.

    When you call the Workplace Health Call Centre (WHCC) at 1.866.922.9464:

    1. You can speak with an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) directly when you call; who will ask you to describe the incident, provide support, and ask you to go to an ED for treatment if you have not already done so.
    2. After exposure, you and the source person (if known) will be tested for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV antibodies. The OHN will call you with advice on any follow-up based on the results.
    3. Inform the OHN if you have received medications/immunizations in the ED.
    4. When the source person is considered high-risk or unknown you will be sent laboratory requisitions for follow-up blood work for the next nine months.
    5. The OHN will inform you of any precautions you might need to take until you are informed that all test results are negative.

    Site Specific:

    SPH Post-Exposure Protocol VGH Post-Exposure Protocol
    Advise your supervisor of the incident.Call Security at x4777 to dispatch a First Aid Attendant, who has all necessary forms to fill out.

    If the source person is on-site, ensure your supervisor or source person’s physician obtains informed verbal consent for a blood sample, either from the source person (if competent – i.e., if they are able to provide consent) or the family (not competent). The physician must complete an order for the blood test.

    Complete applicable sections of the “BBFE Early Notification Form” and fax it to Workplace Health Call Centre at 604-953-5138. Your supervisor will assist if necessary.

    The First Aid Attendant will accompany you to the ED (Fast Track) for assessment and possible treatment. Take the BBFE form with you.

    Employees are encouraged to attend an ED with a colleague who will be able to assist with navigating through the ED triage so that exposure assessments are completed within the critical two-hour window.

    For safety purposes, it is highly recommended that employees working in buildings without an ED either have a colleague drive them to an ED or take a taxi (whose expense will be covered by the employee’s manager). Discuss taxi transfers and colleague accompaniments to an ED with your manager for final approval.

    Call the Workplace Health Call Centre at 1-866-922-9464 to report the incident and to speak with an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN)*. Identify yourself as a resident and VCH Employee. If you get a voicemail message, leave a message with your name, ID#, where you work, your phone number, and best time to reach you. If a message is left after hours, you will get a call back during the next business day.

    		 Advise your supervisor/manager/charge nurse of this incident and refer to the form HLTH 2339, “Management of Percutaneous or Permucosal Exposure to Blood and Body Fluid/laboratory Requisition” (available at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/forms/2339fil.pdf.)

    If the source contact is on-site, ensure that your supervisor or source person’s physician obtains informed consent for a blood sample either from the source person (if competent) or the family (not competent). Make sure the physician completes the requisition for the sample.

    Complete applicable sections of HLTH 2339 and give a copy to your supervisor/manager/charge nurse (not the top white copy). The copy can be used by the source person’s physician to complete and send with the source person’s blood for testing to BCCDC.

    Immediately take the original of the HLTH 2339 form to the nearest ED (not SPH or MSJ as PHC has a different procedure) within two hours of the incident. If you are a VCH employee at a non- VCH site, ask that the HLTH 2339 form be faxed to the Workplace Health Call Centre (WHCC) at 604-953-5138 before your bloodwork is sent for testing.

    Employees are encouraged to attend an ED with a colleague who will be able to assist with navigating through the ED triage so that exposure assessments are completed within the two- hour window.

    For safety purposes, it is highly recommended that employees working in buildings without an ED either have a colleague drive them to and ED or take a taxi.

    Please discuss taxi transfers and colleague accompaniments to an ED with your manager for final approval.

    Call the Workplace Health Call Centre at 1-866-922-9464 to report the incident* and to speak with an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN). If you get a voicemail leave your name, ID#, where you work, your phone number, and the best time to reach you for a callback. If a message is left after hours, you will get a call back the next business day.

     

    Several resources are available online:

  • Codes

  • Dosimeters

    If you do not have a dosimeter and need one contact your supervisor to get connected with the correct admin. If they are unable to provide one, please contact Ben Loosely at peoplesafety@vch.ca

  • Exposure, Injury or Illness

    What to do if you have been exposed through a needlestick injury, puncture wound, cut, or splash

    1. Seek immediate clinical assessment and/or first aid following your worksite BBF (blood and bodily fluids) exposure protocols. Antiretroviral prophylaxis, if required, is most effective when started within two hours of the exposure. If you need to leave your work area, tell your supervisor. This might be your preceptor, attending, program director, or senior resident.
    2. If you haven’t already, notify the person supervising you so that they know what happened. Make sure you say that the incident happened at work.
    3. As a health authority employee, it is critical that you report the incident by phoning the Workplace Health Call Centre on 1-866-922-9464. When they call you back, you are entitled and supported by both the employer and UBC to take clinical time to respond to the workplace call centre, any investigation that results and WorkSafeBC if necessary.
    4. Start a confidential WorkSafeBC claim for medical treatment and/or missed time from work. Complete a WorkSafeBC form online (www.worksafebc.com), or by Teleclaim (1-888-967-5377). The workplace health call centre can also connect you with WorkSafeBC during your call.
    5. Create a confidential permanent record of your exposure. Complete a WorkSafeBC Exposure Registry Form. Available online (worksafebc.com). This step is important so that you are not billed for any necessary tests. Results will be delivered directly to you and will not be shared with WorkSafeBC.
    6. Participate in the incident investigation with the JOSH committee. Ask your Health and Safety Advisor for support if need be. If you are not sure who this is, contact RDBC.
    7. For additional support and guidance, or if you experience any challenges with the reporting process, let a Resident Doctors of BC representative know about the report by emailing or calling RDBC at info@residentdoctorsbc.ca or (604) 876-7636. All information shared with RDBC will be treated confidentially unless we are instructed otherwise by you.

     

    Injury or Illness

    What to do if you are physically injured at work or become ill because of your work

    1. Seek first aid or medical attention as soon as possible. If you need to leave your work area, tell your supervisor. This might be your preceptor/attending/program director, or senior resident. Make sure you say that the incident happened at work.
    2. If you haven’t already, notify the person supervising you so that they know what happened. Make sure you say that the incident happened at work.
    3. As a health authority employee, it is critical that you report the incident by phoning the Workplace Health Call Centre on 1-866-922-9464. If you call after hours, leave a message. When they call you back, you are entitled and supported by both the employer and UBC to take clinical time to respond to the workplace call centre, any investigation that results and WorkSafeBC if necessary
    4. Start a confidential WorkSafeBC claim for medical treatment and/or missed time from work. Complete a WorkSafeBC form online (www.worksafebc.com), or by Teleclaim (1-888-967-5377). The workplace health call centre can also connect you with WorkSafeBC during your call.
    5. Participate in the incident investigation with the JOSH committee. Ask your Health and Safety advisor for support if need be. If you are not sure who this is, contact RDBC.
    6. For additional support and guidance, or if you experience any challenges with the reporting process let a Resident Doctors of BC representative know about the report by emailing or calling RDBC at info@residentdoctorsbc.ca or (604) 876-7636. All information shared with RDBC will be treated confidentially unless instructed otherwise by you.
  • Fatigue Risk Management

     Fatigue management:

    • Self-awareness is the first step for preparing, surviving, and recovering from shiftwork.

    Preparing for the nightshift:

    • Try to establish a sleep routine prior to the night shift
    • When possible, get extra sleep before your shift
    • Nap as needed leading up to your shift

    During the nightshift:

    • Undertake light to moderate physical activity to stay alert
    • Increase water intake
    • Eat light
    • Nap when possible

    Recovering from the nightshift:

    • Only drive home if safe to do so
    • Eat a light breakfast after your shift
    • Sleep as soon as possible after work
    • Try to re-establish sleep routines

    Other resources:

  • Harassment Prevention

    The employer is required by BC law to establish and maintain a safe and healthy workplace and specifically to “ensure the health and safety of all workers working for that employer, and any other workers present at a workplace at which that employer’s work is being carried out” (WorkSafe BC, Workers Compensation Act).

    If you are experiencing harassment, bullying, or intimidation in your workplace, please contact the No Bully line which provides various support options for employees who experience or witness any type of disrespectful behaviour or conflict within the workplace. If you require advice or guidance or wish to proceed with a filing a formal complaint, contact VCH’s No-Bully line at 1-844-662-8559 . A trained Employee Wellness counsellor will outline various support options and confidentially debrief your experience.

    For an example of the resolution process see this chart on unprofessional medical staff behaviour from St. Paul’s Hospital. The resolution process may be similar across hospitals.

    St. Paul’s also has a policy on respect in the workplace which outlines the resolution process for resolving disrespectful conduct, discriminatory harassment (including sexism) and personal harassment

    Additionally, UBC Faculty of Medicine has Policies & Guidelines you can access.

    CMPA also provides learning materials on managing conflict and aggression in medical practice

    WorkSafeBC also provides information on bullying and harassment

  • Mental Health Injury

    Much work has been gone into reducing the stigma around psychological health and safety at work. Strides are currently being made to ensure there is a safe way for residents to report a mental health injury at work, and for this to be included within the Occupational Health and Safety framework.

    While these steps are being formalized, if you have experienced a mental health injury as the result of your work, please confidentially report this to Resident Doctors of BC through info@residentdoctorsbc.ca, or calling (604) 876-7636. All information shared with RDBC will be treated confidentially unless we are instructed otherwise by you.

    As a resident, you also have the option of reporting to the PGME Mistreatment office at https://mistreatmenthelp.med.ubc.ca/.

    If you are experiencing bullying or a respectful workplace issue at a Providence site you have access to the Respect No Bully line or at VCH VCH’s No-Bully line at 1-844-662-8559

    Support is also always available. Visit our Wellness page for all the support services offered to residents.

  • Reporting Hazards

    You don’t have to wait for something to injure or expose you to report.

    Hazards, which could potentially lead to an incident if left unaddressed, can be reported by contacting your Health and Safety Advisor who can advise on the correct reporting process for your Health Authority. If you’re unsure who to contact, please contact Resident Doctors of BC at info@residentdoctorsbc.ca or (604) 876-7636 for further guidance.

    A near miss, where an incident occurs that could have caused an injury, can be reported using the Workplace Health Call Centre at 1-866-922-9464 and selecting option 2.

    If it is after hours, please leave a message, they will call you back.

    Any incident involving injury, exposure or risk to the patient should be reported to PSLS. If the incident involves an injury or exposure to both yourself and the patient you will need to report to PSLS as well at the Provincial Workplace Health Call Centre.
  • Violence Prevention

    Health care employers have made a provincial commitment to ensure the health and safety of all workers against violence in the workplace. As part of this commitment, there is a Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum. It has four main principles:

    • Prevention is everyone’s responsibility
    • Communicate respectfully
    • Be proactive, not reactive
    • Take personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and others

    The curriculum is based on the overarching principles and a Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum framework that identifies four (4) main responsibilities in preventing and protecting against violence in the workplace:

      1. Recognize Risks and Behaviours – This includes being aware and familiar with the general risks and behaviours that are associated with violence so you know what to look for.
      2. Assess and Plan – This includes informal and formal assessment of a particular person or situation you are faced with.
      3. Respond to the Risk – This includes strategies to prevent escalation, de-escalation techniques, knowing when and how to get help, and applying personal safety techniques.
      4. Report and Communicate Post-Incident – This includes proper reporting processes, knowing when/how to communicate risks, and where/how to access supporting resources. For information on patient confidentiality visit WorkSafeBC

      The full Violence Prevention course can be found on the LearningHub. There is also a 30 minute refresher available if it has been more than a year from your last session.

      Have you experienced a violent incident at work? Here’s what to do:

      1. Notify your supervisor or manager about all incidents, even if there is no injury.
      2. Seek first aid or medical attention as soon as possible. If you need to leave your work area, tell your supervisor. Make sure you say that the incident happened at work.
      3. Report the incident by phoning the Workplace Health Call Centre 1-866-922-9464 (http://www.whcallcentre.ca).
      4. Start a WorkSafeBC claim for medical treatment and/or missed time from work. Complete a WorkSafeBC form online (www.worksafebc.com), or by Teleclaim (1-877-967-5377).
      5. After a traumatic incident you may benefit from critical incident stress debriefing (CISD). By contacting one of the following agencies:

      Resources:

      • Physician Health Program
        PHP offers 24-hour access where you can be connected to an intake counsellor who will quickly determine with you what your needs are and will provide you with access to a variety of services which include a network of clinical counsellors. Phone: 1-800-663-6729
      • Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
        EFAP is a confidential counselling service specialized to provide service to healthcare employees and families throughout BC. They have an “affiliate network” with counsellors anywhere clients are, and also offer telephone counselling. Phone: 1-800-505-4929
      • UBC Resident Wellness Office
        Appointments can be booked with a Resident Wellness Counsellor by contacting the Vancouver office at: 604 875 4111 x 23055 or toll free at:1-855 675-3873 Email: resident.wellness@ubc.ca
  • N95 Fit Testing

    Fit Testing occurs annually if you need one at a greater frequency, use the contacts below. Additionally, we were informed this week that the health authorities will soon be transitioning from the 3M 1804S model respirators back to the 3M 1870+ model respirators, which was the most used model before the pandemic.

     

    VGH: https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/ft-vgh or contact Ben Loosely at peoplesafety@vch.ca

    Providence: Ongoing fit testing sessions, contact OHS@ProvidenceHealth.bc.ca

    Interior: Ongoing regular sessions, workplaceinjury.prevention@interiorhealth.ca

    Island Health: fit testing can be arranged through OHSPrevention@viha.ca, who will then coordinate with the site they are at or select a site and date through the intranet system.

    Northern: workplacehealthandsafety@northernhealth.ca it is also done by an internal system for OHS issues.

    Fraser: Fit testing can be arranged through https://fraser-health-prevention.myhealthinfo.ca/index.php

    If you aren’t sure who to contact, or which Health Authority is the right area for testing, please contact Resident Doctors of BC and we are happy to assist.