[shot of person using antiseptic wash at a wash station] [TITLE: Infection Prevention and Control for Worker Health and Safety in a Healthcare Workplace]
My name is Juanita Jenkins.
I'm an occupational health and safety inspector for the Ministry of Labour.
Craig: My name is Craig Lori. I'm an infection control consultant with the Ministry of Labour,
and today we're going to look at the types of things that we look for related
to infection prevention control during an inspection of a health care workplace.
Juanita: The Ministry of Labour inspects healthcare workplaces
to ensure that they are in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Craig: We also work with our partners in the health care field such as the regional
infection control networks or the Ontario Agency for Health Protection Promotion.
and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Juanita: Upon entering a health care facility
the infection control measures that I'm looking for may include
signage, passive or active screening and
alcohol-based hand rubs so that people entering the facility have an
opportunity to clean their hands.
When I arrive at a workplace to conduct an inspection
I want to meet with one of the management representatives and also a worker
representative from the Health and Safety Committee
Juanita: "The reason that we're here today is that we're going to be conducting a proactive inspection of your workplace."
Craig: Because we're specifically looking at infection prevention control issues
so we also like to talk to the infection control practitioner at the workplace.
Craig: "Do you have a specific infection prevention and control manual?" Employees: "We do."
Craig: It's important that employers take steps to protect their workers from
infections by having certain measures and procedures developed in consultation
with their joint health and safety committee
Juanita: "How often would you take a look at your measures and procedures?
and revise them?" Infection control measures and procedures for workers
should be reviewed and revised annually or more often in light of current practices.
Craig: "Are you aware of any occupational infections that have occurred
among staff?" If an employer learns that a worker is ill because of an exposure at
workplace, it's required that they report
within four days to the Ministry of Labour, but also to their joint health and
safety committee and their trade union at the workplace.
Employee: "If an infection happens we scan our surveillance, we call it,
and they get the information right away". Juanita: Workers can protect themselves from infectious agents
by doing a risk assessment. Figuring out what the hazard is in their workplace,
and then following routine practices and additional precautions.
Craig: "I wonder if you can describe some of the training that occurs with respect to
infection control?" Juanita: In health care workplaces, all workers should receive training in infection
prevention and control.
Craig: "So supplies such as gloves or masks or
facial protection are available to workers when they're needed?" For droplet-spread infections, it's important that a worker take
certain precautions to protect themselves such as facial protection
that will include a mask, and something to protect their eyes.
An N95 respirator is worn when there's a risk from airborne transmission.
For workers that are required to wear N95 respirators it's
important that the employer has in place
a written respiratory protection program and it will include things such as the
training on the donning and doffing
the respirator. It's also important that the respirator be fit-tested
Juanita: Sharps should be disposed of immediately after use
in an appropriate puncture resistant container. The container should not be
filled past the fill line.
Craig: Safety engineer needles are required to be used now by Ontario's needle safety regulation
when they're used in places such as long-term care facilities or hospitals.
Juanita: Food or drink should not be consumed in areas where there is a risk of
contamination by infectious agents.
Craig: A worker that has health and safety concerns at the workplace should bring
their concerns up with their supervisor or their employer.
Craig: "Tell me if the housekeepers are included in
the infection prevention control training that is given here?" Workplace rep: "Everyone that works here..."
Craig: It's important for everybody at the workplace to follow safe work practices,
because in this way we can build a culture of safety at a workplace which is
good for not only the workers,
but also the residents, the patients. or anyone else that visits the workplace.
Juanita: We want to ensure that there's a good workplace health and safety culture,
where everyone is involved and informed. For more information please visit our website.
[TITLE: Please visit our website for more infomation. URL: www.ontario.ca/labour or www.healthandsafetyontario.ca]