1. Care Worker Violence Prevention Focused Inspections
A Presentation by
Occupational Health and Safety

2. Background Information
What are focused inspections?
OHS Proactive Strategic Programs identify and respond to emerging trends, either industry or hazard specific.
Industry:
Sand and Gravel, Fuel and Convenience
Hazard:
Forklift safety, Silica exposure
Recent workplace violence-related examples:
Canadian Mental Health Association fatality.
Elk Island Child and Youth Ranch assault.
Increase in workplace violence-related complaints in healthcare and social support industries.

3. Program Rationale Who are “Care Workers”? Defined as
“Workers who are employed to support and supervise vulnerable, infirm or disadvantaged people or those under the care of the state.”
- Oxford Dictionary
Can include, but are not limited to:
Health Care Aides (HCA)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
Registered Nurses (RN)
Social and community service workers
Home support workers

4. Program Rationale What is workplace violence? Defined as:
“Whether at a worksite or work related, means the threatened, attempted or actual conduct of a person that causes, or is likely to cause, physical injury.”
– OHS Code 2009
Workplace violence is a leading cause of injury and illness for care workers in Alberta.

5. Program Rationale Why does violence affect care workers so much?
“It’s part of the job.”
Isolated group care settings
High risk neighborhoods
Working alone in private dwellings
Medical code of ethics and legislation
Patient/Client/Resident-related factors:
Medications
Medical conditions
History of violence
Drugs and impairment
Round-the-clock care or supervision

6. Focus Industries (WCB)
82704: Home Support Services
82806: Rehabilitation Services for Disabled
89925: Social/Community Support
Home support workers (82704) work alone more frequently in potentially violent situations, and help is not as readily available.
82806 and are ranked 4th and 6th in the top ten industries for reporting violence-related WCB Claims
Workplace violence is being addressed with other healthcare industries as part of the Healthcare Proactive Strategic Program.

7. Compliance Objectives
Worksite Inspections:
To address compliance with OHS legislation with regards to workplace violence, hazard assessment and controls, emergency response planning and worker training.
Officers will be discussing contracts and work agreements with the employer to determine prime contractor, or contractor, status.
Worker Interviews and Questionnaires:
To determine the extent of their involvement in hazard assessment process, the implementation of identified controls, and participation in required training.

8. Educational Objectives
OHS officers will provide education on:
Rights and responsibilities under OHS legislation.
Reporting requirements under Section 18 of OHS Act.
Investigation of imminent danger situations.
Requirement to report unsafe conditions.
Hazard assessment and control.
Emergency response planning.
Worker training requirements.

9. OHS Officer Authority An OHS Officer has the authority to:
Enter and inspect a work site.
Take samples and conduct tests.
Take pictures and recordings.
Interview and obtain statements.
Examine and make copies of relevant documentation.
Enforce compliance with OHS legislation.
If an officer believes work is being conducted in an unsafe or unhealthy manner, they can stop work, or issue orders for corrective measures.

10. Approach Home Care: Group Homes: Inspections will consist of:
OHS does not have jurisdiction within private dwellings.
OHS officers will not be entering private dwelling.
Group Homes:
These are not private dwellings.
OHS has jurisdiction over these worksites.
Inspections will consist of:
Confidential interviews with front-line staff
Worker and employer questionnaires
An “audit” of health and safety systems and practices

11. Inspections
OHS Officers will assess worksites for compliance with all 41 parts of the OHS Code.
Parts 1 through 29 are applicable to all industries.
Parts 30 through 41 are industry-specific.
Part 35 relates to healthcare and industries with biological hazards.
General compliance issues with OHS legislation will be addressed where observed, however, the primary focus will be on assessing violence prevention measures.

12. Legislation Primary Focus: Secondary Focus:
Hazard Assessment: Part 2, Section 7
Violence: Part 27, Sections 390 to 392
Working Alone: Part 28, Section 394
Secondary Focus:
Chemical Hazards: Part 4, Section 16, 21, 24, 27
Emergency Response: Part 7, Section 115 and 116
Entrances and Walkways: Part 8, Section 119 to 121
First Aid: Part 11, Section 178, 181, 183
Lifting and Handling: Part 14, Section to 211.1
Biological Hazards: Part 35, Sections 525 to 530

13. Program Specifics Timeline: Assigned Resources:
June 8 to September 30, 2017
Assigned Resources:
6 Northern OHS Officers
6 Southern OHS Officers
2 Technical Advisors
1 Manager
Inspection Targets (estimated):
50 employer meetings
200 inspections
500 worker interviews

14. What’s Next?
A final report will be generated in late 2017 detailing the findings of the focused inspections. This will include:
A summary of compliance data.
Meetings, presentations, inspections, interviews.
Orders, Stop Work Orders, Stop Use Orders.
Statistical analysis of collected data.
Identification of trends which may support changes to, or development of, related government policy.
A follow-up meeting will be held with stakeholders to share the results.

15. Questions?