Committee will address health and safety risks faced by frontline workers
The province of Ontario is establishing a Paramedic Services Committee under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to develop resources that will address the health and safety risks faced by paramedics.
“These everyday heroes work tirelessly to bring us the medical attention we need, and in return, they deserve to get home safe too,” says Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Section 21 OHSA committees are comprised of employers and labour representatives who provide the Minister with expertise and advice, including recommending regulatory changes and actions on emerging issues.
The announcement is supported by CUPE, Unifor, and other labour leaders in the province, according to a government press release.
Ian Nash is the health and safety representative for the CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario. He says the paramedic unions have been meeting since May 2008, “and since that day the committee has been very professional with dealing with the health and safety issues arising affecting our profession and developing guidance notes and will continue this practise for years to come.”
Dave Doran is with the OPSEU Ambulance Division and says they’ve been calling for this committee for years. “Nothing can match the experience of front-line paramedics. We’re hopeful this standalone committee will result in improved health and safety for our sector, and enhanced EMS delivery for the people of Ontario."
Those sentiments are echoed by Bikram Chawla, acting chief for the Toronto Paramedic Services.“ The creation of this collaborative committee is a vital investment in the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of our paramedics.”
Fatigue and burnout has been an ongoing issue for paramedics right across Canada. It will be interesting to see how that issue is addressed by the committee as the profession, like many others, deals with a labour shortage.
