In recent weeks, many BC communities have experienced flood warnings or evacuation orders. What are your rights in the event of flooding?

Q:  I work at a hospital that is subject to flooding if the river rises too high. My manager has told me that in the event of a flood, I may be relocated for my job. Can my employer do that?
 
A:  The River Forecast Centre of British Columbia has predicted that spring runoff could be higher than normal this year, and that there is potential for flooding in some communities.

On April 28 ... the National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job ...  HSA President Reid Johnson and the unions Board of Directors joins BC workers mourning for the dead and fighting for the living.

All workers and their families are invited to pay tribute to workers who have been injured or killed on the job, or stricken with occupational disease.

April 28, 2011
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Hastings Park
Vancouver, BC

There is still room available in the two-day OH&S Steward Training workshop on May 3 & 4, 2011.

Please register as soon as possible if you are interested in attending this workshop

OH&S Steward Training
May 3 & 4, 2011

Pre-registration forms are available from the HSA website at www.hsabc.org

For more information, contact Leila Lolua at the HSA Office.

The B.C. Federation of Labour, Canadian Labour Congress and the Vancouver & District Labour Council invite you to pay tribute to workers who have been injured or killed on the job or died of an occupational disease.

Poster and detailed information

The BCFed Health & Safety Centre has scheduled training programs across the Lower Mainland during this week.  Please register and view schedule at www.healthandsafetybc.ca or call 604.430.1421.

Reimbursement is available through the Madden Memorial Education Fund and application forms are available on the HSA website.

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Six years ago, in 2005, David Bland, a vocational rehabilitation counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health, was murdered at his workplace by a former client.  His tragic death served as a sombre reminder that more needs to be done to prevent incidents of violence in the workplace and to protect health care ands social services workers on the job. 

WorkSafeBC has issued nine separate orders at two Victoria-area mental health facilities criticizing the failure of Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) to protect the safety of staff.

-This is a staggering number of WorkSafeBC orders issued against one employer," said HSA President Reid Johnson.

Johnson, who has worked on psychiatric wards as a social worker, said unstable psychiatric patients are often unable to restrain their violent behavior. Hospital management, he said, has to take responsibility for patient as well as staff safety.

Six years ago, in 2005, David Bland, a vocational rehabilitation counsellor and HSA member from Richmond Mental Health, was murdered at his workplace by a former client.  His tragic death served as a sombre reminder that more needs to be done to prevent incidents of violence in the workplace and to protect health care ands social services workers on the job. 

Union encourages flu shots
HSA encourages health professionals to get immunized against seasonal influenza.

Keep your immunization record current and your employee health file up to date by receiving a flu shot at an employer-run clinic.

Together with hand washing and safe coughing protocols (eg coughing into sleeve), follow regular safety protocols to avoid seasonal flu.

HSA is offering a 2-day OH&S steward workshop this fall:

Date: November 8 & 9, 2010

Location: HSA Office, 300 ... 5118 Joyce Street, Vancouver

Occupational health and safety issues are very important to HSA members, and OH&S stewards play a vital role in promoting a safe work environment and helping to prevent injuries. These workshops are participatory and discussion oriented. We encourage you to bring examples from your workplace for discussion. Please refer to the attached pre-registration form for further details.