TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ - OSACH, the Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare, today releases the first workplace violence prevention video developed specifically for the province's health and community care sector. The DVD was achieved in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's HealthForceOntario strategy to support, identify and address Ontario's health human resource needs.
Workplace Violence Prevention in Health and Community Care is a collaborative initiative with participation from the MoHLTC and Ministry of Labour, senior healthcare and union leadership, healthcare professionals and managers. It identifies responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and provides guidance in the development of a comprehensive violence prevention program, with specific education modules for acute, long-term and community care. Strategies to avert responsive behaviours in persons who have cognitive impairments, psychiatric issues or dementia are also a component of the DVD.
"The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has made worker, patient and resident safety a priority," said Dr. Joshua Tepper, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Human Resources. "This video will help to equip healthcare workers with the skills they need to identify and defuse potentially violent situations."
The disk includes a number of downloadable resources, including assessment and investigation tools, reporting procedures and a sample prevention policy.
"Violence is too often considered part of the job for healthcare workers. It is never an acceptable risk," said Joseline Sikorski, President & CEO, OSACH. "According to the most recent WSIB data, workplace violence is the seventh leading cause of lost-time injuries in the province. Healthcare accounts for the greatest number of reported events. We are confident that this educational DVD will assist organizations in addressing the major concerns of workplace violence, bullying and aggressive behaviours in our sector."
OSACH is the designated health and safety association for the health and community care sector under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. A prevention system partner in the Road to Zero injuries initiative, OSACH assists employers and their workers to achieve safe and healthy work environments through the prevention and reduction of workplace injuries, illness and disease.
For further information: Dave Deeley, Director, Marketing & Information Services, Tel. (416) 250-2114 or (647) 300-8977 (cell), DDeeley@osach.ca
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