Provincial government investing $8.5 million over 3 years
British Columbia is investing $8.5 million over three years for a new organization that will address workplace safety for health-care workers. It will identify and promote best practices to make working in the industry safer, the government said.
"Health-care providers are there for us when we need them most — they deserve safe and healthy workplaces," said Minister of Health Adrian Dix.
The organization is composed of employee and employer groups who will work together with a strong mandate to address the challenges that health-care workers face.
“[It] represents a significant consensus by all stakeholders that we must do more to protect the health and safety of the skilled health-care workers that all British Columbians depend on," Dix said.
The organization was a product of the agreement reached in the most recent round of public sector collective bargaining. All health sector bargaining associations, the Doctors of B.C., the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) and the Ministry of Health are participating. It is jointly governed by all health sector bargaining associations, health employers and the provincial government.
"This is an important step forward in reducing injuries and promoting safe workplaces in the health-care sector," said Jennifer Whiteside, secretary-business manager at the Hospital Employees' Union and co-chair of the working group. "A focus on safety in health care will improve the lives of workers while improving the quality of care."
According to WorkSafeBC, 2018 injury claim costs in the health-care and social services sectors were more than $107 million, an increase of about $11 million from the previous year.
"Making our health-care sector safer for the people who work in it is important for everyone. When we reduce time loss and injury, it means health-care workers can better provide care to those who need it. This organization presents an important new opportunity for us all to work together to make real progress on workplace safety," said Michael McMillan, president and CEO of HEABC.
