Health & Safety
Workplace Hazards
Employers are legally required to take every precaution reasonable to protect you from all these hazards, and workers are required to report any such hazards to supervisors. If you see a hazard in your workplace, report it to your manager immediately. It’s the law. It’s a good idea to report it in writing so you have proof that you complied with the law.
We have prepared information and resources to assist members and leaders in identifying, responding to and reporting on common hazards they may encounter.
Health-care workers are potentially at risk from exposure to biological hazards in the workplace.
These exposures can include medical waste, microorganisms, viruses or toxins from biological sources that can affect health. Over the past decade, outbreaks related to infectious diseases (such as norovirus, Clostridium difficile and influenza) have affected workers and others in health and community care workplaces.
Health-care workers are potentially at risk from workplace exposure to chemical hazards, including hazardous drugs (including antineoplastic agents), gasses (including anesthetic gases and helium from magnetic resonance imaging malfunction), cleaning products as well as radiation hazards.
ONA has dealt with a range of chemical exposures including leaking chemotherapy drugs from faulty equipment, fumes from bleach wipes, and nurses becoming ill from emissions from patients overcome by chemical fumes in their own workplaces. We have also assisted members with questions about X-ray protection.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, nerves and spinal discs that can happen when a worker is engaged in repetitive work, forceful exertions (such as moving patients or materials) and awkward postures.
According to the Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA), MSDs are the leading cause of health-care workers’ injuries, followed by slips/trips/falls. This figure exceeds totals in construction, manufacturing, transportation, mining and most other sectors.
Every year, our members are exposed to deadly pathogens because of incidents from medical sharps devices. Although registered nurses sustain most injuries, doctors, lab technologists, housekeeping staff, maintenance workers and other health-care workers also suffer needlestick and sharps injuries.
These injuries are also a community health concern, affecting waste disposal workers, education sector workers, municipal, penal/penitentiary workers and others. Eliminating these preventable hazards is a legitimate concern for everyone at risk.
It is our right work in an environment that is free from all forms and sources of violence/harassment.
Employers must strive to eliminate the risks of violence/harassment. Our members face violence and harassment in all sectors, whether it’s in a hospital emergency room, a psychiatric setting, a geriatric facility or nurses who work in the community visiting clients. Harassment is not acceptable and such behaviour can escalate and has escalated to violence.
It is not “part of the job” to be physically or verbally abused by patients, residents, clients, the public or other employees. Don’t put up with it.
If you are in danger, call the police. We’re here to protect you and to help you find the right resources.
Below are additional resources, including tip sheets and hazard-specific toolkits that will assist you with your occupational health and safety initiatives.
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