First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Policies Template Manual
Part 7: Health and Safety
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program
Policies Template Manual
Community Logo
Part 7: Health and Safety
Community Name
Policy: Hazardous Waste Management
Policy Number: 7.1
Approval:
Date:
Policy
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program will ensure safe handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous wastes and materials according to government legislation and/or community regulations. Hazardous wastes and materials include:
- Body fluids and blood
- Blood products
- Sharps disposal including blades, syringes, needles
- Equipment
- Solutions commonly used in the home
Policy Rationale
To provide a healthy environment for clients and staff, and ensure measures are in place for the safe use, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and materials.
Policy Details
All hazardous wastes and materials will be handled, stored, used and disposed of safely according to relevant government policies and relevant provincial, federal and territorial legislation. The standards set by the Occupational Health Safety Act and the Environmental Health and Safety Act of Canada will be used as key references for determining the handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous waste materials and products.
Staff of the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program will not transport hazardous wastes or materials. All staff will be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (including WHMIS guidelines) and a copy of the Act is readily available to them at all times.
Process Guidelines
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program will have written procedures for safe handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous wastes and materials.
All staff will receive orientation, education and training on:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act guidelines
- WHMIS guidelines and labels
- Universal precautions
- Proper cleaning of contaminated equipment
- Proper handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous wastes and materials
Employees will protect the safety of themselves, their clients and families through:
- Use of universal precautions
- Proper handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous wastes and materials
- Adequate amounts of protective supplies, ie gloves, masks, sharps disposal containers
Employees will teach clients and families about proper methods of handling, storing, using and disposing of hazardous wastes and materials and will ensure that they have adequate supplies for same.
Employees will assess the client's home environment for safety hazards.
There will be an information package developed for WHMIS education for staff to be used during orientation and ongoing training sessions.
Performance Measurement Suggestions
Indicator: This information is to be developed by communities as they work with their Programs. For an example of the kind of measures that should be identified, refer to the Hiring Policy template.
Formula:
Related Standards
3.1 Services Delivery
3.3 Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Protection Services
4.1 Health and Safety
4.2 Equipment and Materials
4.3 Building/Physical Space
Some Suggested References
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Planning Resource Kit: Program Criteria, Sections 2, 4 and 5
Draft Liability Documents: May, section 4; June, pgs 9-10, 27-28
Environmental Health and Safety Act
Occupational Health and Safety Act
CCHSA AIM Standards, 1999: Environment
WHMIS
Provincial/Territorial and Federal Legislation
DIAND/FNIHB Home and Community Care Directives
Review Process:
Dates:
Each community is responsible for developing and putting in place their own procedures. These procedures need to outline the practical steps to be taken to carry out the process guidelines for this policy.
Suggested Procedures
- Procedures for safe handling, storage, use and disposal of specific hazardous wastes and materials.
Suggested tools:
- Checklist on WHMIS guidelines to be used during orientation and also in ongoing training sessions, as required
- Procedure on Universal Precautions.
- Procedure for proper cleaning of contaminated equipment.
Suggested tools:
- Checklist of various steps for proper cleaning of specific kinds of equipment
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program
Policies Template Manual
Community Logo
Part 7: Health and Safety
Community Name
Policy: Disaster Response
Policy Number: 7.2
Approval:
Date:
Policy
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program has a clear plan, in writing, which outlines the responses of the Program and its staff to disasters that may occur in the community. This plan is part of the community's disaster plan and is complementary to it.
Types of disasters may include:
- Fires
- Natural disasters
- Threats of violence
- Chemical spills
- Power failures
- Bomb threats
Policy Rationale
To ensure there is a coordinated plan to deal calmly, effectively and quickly with emergencies and disasters.
Policy Details
The plan promotes the protection and safety of Program clients, families and staff. The Occupational Health and Safety Act of Canada is used as a reference for the development of the plan.
The plan:
- Identifies who is responsible to initiate and coordinate a disaster response for the Program
- Outlines the policies, processes and procedures to be followed for various types of disasters
- Includes the Program's role in working with community leadership and others in the community on activities related to disaster response
- Identifies the orientation, education and training required by staff to ensure they are able to effectively respond in disaster situations
- Outlines how to access client lists in a disaster situation
- Explains how to set priorities regarding the care needs of clients and families during a disaster
- Identifies ways of protecting and transporting client records during a disaster
- Clearly describes a process to quickly access properly qualified staff in response to a disaster
- Identifies ways to communicate with clients, with staff and with others in the community, should a disaster occur
- Identifies physical space requirements for an emergency response situation
Process Guidelines
There are written processes and procedures to guide staff in their response to each type of disaster listed above.
Processes and procedures related to the types of disaster that may occur and the roles and responsibilities of staff during any disaster are reviewed and explained during orientation and other training sessions.
A process that details each staff responsibility outlines the process for contacting one another and clients of the Program, in the event of a disaster. This process utilizes a fan-out approach, in which each staff member contacts a certain number of people who, in turn, contact another certain number of people, so that the contact is multiplying in its impact.
Planned disaster exercises are carried out by the Program and the community on a regular basis. These exercises provide an opportunity to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the written policies, processes and procedures related to disaster planning. Key information regarding these exercises is documented, including an evaluation of the response. This material is kept on file for purposes of accreditation and feedback concerning areas for improvement is provided to staff.
Performance Measurement Suggestions
Indicator: This information is to be developed by communities as they work with their Programs. For an example of the kind of measures that should be identified, refer to the Hiring Policy template.
Formula:
Related Standards
3.1 Services Delivery
3.2 Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Protection Services
4.1 Health and Safety
4.3 Building/Physical Space
4.4 Partnerships/Community Linkages
4.5 Emergency and Disaster Planning
Some Suggested References
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Planning Resource Kit: Sections 2 and 4
Draft Liability Documents: May, sections 1.3.6, 2.4, 2.5, 3.3, and 4 to 4.15; June, pgs 9-10, 22, 25, and 28
Occupational Health and Safety Act
CCHSA AIM Standards, 1999 -- Environment
Provincial/Territorial and Federal Legislation
DIAND/FNIHB Home and Community Care Directives
Review Process:
Dates:
Each community is responsible for developing and putting in place their own procedures. These procedures need to outline the practical steps to be taken to carry out the process guidelines for this policy.
Suggested Procedures
- Specific procedures to guide staff in responding to fires, natural disasters, threats of violence, chemical spills, power failures, and bomb threats.
Suggested tools:
- Checklists outlining the steps and tasks to consider for each specific type of disaster
- Procedure for identifying clients at risk, and setting priorities regarding clients and their needs for service during a disaster.
Suggested tools:
- Form for listing priority clients and their care needs during a disaster
- Procedures for security and transportation of client records during a disaster.
- Procedure for communication with staff and clients, including call lists for each staff.
- Procedure for recording and evaluating disaster practice exercises.
Suggested tools:
- Report format to record necessary information and notes on effectiveness of the plan in practice
- Procedure for evacuation of clients who are at risk and, if necessary, for staff.
- Procedure for identifying community resources that can be shared during times of disaster.
Suggested tools:
- List of community resources
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program
Policies Template Manual
Community Logo
Part 7: Health and Safety
Community Name
Policy: Fire and Evacuation
Policy Number: 7.3
Approval:
Date:
Policy
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program has a written fire and evacuation plan that outlines the steps to be taken by staff in the event of a fire and/or evacuation.
Policy Rationale
To ensure there is a coordinated plan to deal quickly and effectively in the event of the need for evacuation.
Policy Details
The safety of clients, families and staff will be promoted through use of a written fire and evacuation plan. The plan will be coordinated with the local community fire authority. In fact, the authority may assist in the development of the plan and related processes and procedures. Program management will ensure compliance of the plan with any fire codes and regulations.
All fire safety concerns identified by staff will be reported immediately to Program management. All concerns will be documented.
The fire and evacuation plan will identify the following and should be developed with input from the community fire authority:
- Frequency and documentation of workplace safety inspections
- Frequency and documentation of inspection of the physical structure where the Program staff are located
- Frequency and documentation of inspection of fire extinguisher equipment used on the premises
- Frequency and documentation of fire and/or evacuation drills
- Who is responsible to initiate the fire and evacuation plan
- Education and training of staff about their responsibilities in the event of a fire and/or evacuation
- Floor plan of the office space
- List of the items kept at the First Aid Station and its location
- Who is in charge of inspecting the First Aid Station
- List of hazardous products that are kept in the office space
Process Guidelines
During orientation, all staff will be made fully aware of the fire and evacuation plan. This orientation will include an explanation of:
- The procedure to be followed in the event of a fire and/or evacuation occurring in a client's home, a school, or the Program office
- How practice drills and exercises will be reported and recorded
- How fire safety concerns will be reported, recorded and monitored for any trends
- Staff responsibility in initiating a fire and/or evacuation response
- Use of fire extinguishing equipment
- Types of fire extinguishing equipment located in the Program office
- Identification of hazardous products, including the use of WHMIS labels and MSDS sheets
Regular fire and evacuation practice exercises will be carried out in partnership with the community fire authority. In fact, the authority may assist in the development of the plan and related processes and procedures.
Reports will be completed to record these activities and they will be reviewed on a regular basis to identify any changes that should be made to the fire and evacuation plan.
Performance Measurement Suggestions
Indicator: This information is to be developed by communities as they work with their Programs. For an example of the kind of measures that should be identified, refer to the Hiring Policy template.
Formula:
Related Standards
3.1 Services Delivery
3.3 Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Protection Services
4.1 Health and Safety
4.3 Building/Physical Space
4.4 Partnerships/Community Linkages
4.5 Emergency and Disaster Planning
Some Suggested References
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Planning Resource Kit: Sections 2 and 4
Draft Liability Documents: May, sections 2.3-2.6; June, pgs 7-10
CCHSA AIM Standards, 1999 -- Environment
Fire and Safety Act
Hazardous Products Act of Canada
Provincial/Territorial and Federal Legislation
DIAND/FNIHB Home and Community Care Directives
Review Process:
Dates:
Each community is responsible for developing and putting in place their own procedures. These procedures need to outline the practical steps to be taken to carry out the process guidelines for this policy.
Suggested Procedures
- Procedure for evacuation of clients, family members and staff. There may be two specific procedures for clients: one for those at risk and another for those who are not at risk.
- Procedure for fire drills and evacuation practice exercises.
Suggested tools:
- Report for recording fire drills and evacuation exercises
- Tool for tracking trends of fire drills and evacuation exercises
- Procedure for safety inspections.
Suggested tools:
- Form for completing safety inspections and monitoring their frequency
- Procedure for communication with staff and clients, including contact lists for each staff.
- Procedure for identifying clients at risk.
Suggested tools:
- Form for listing priority clients who may be at risk
- Procedure for identifying community resources that can be shared during times of fire and evacuation.
Suggested tools:
- List of community resources
- Procedure for security of client records during a fire and/or evacuation.
- Procedure to define access to client records in the event of a fire and/or evacuation.
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program
Policies Template Manual
Community Logo
Part 7: Health and Safety
Community Name
Policy: Incident Reporting
Policy Number: 7.4
Approval:
Date:
Policy
All First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program staff incidents will be reported, recorded and investigated promptly.
Policy Rationale
To ensure appropriate attention to staff incidents and the identification of risk issues for staff; to identify areas for improvement by monitoring, tracking and evaluating these incidents.
Policy Details
All employees working with the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program will receive prompt medical treatment for an injury or incident.
Employees are required to notify Program management of any incident within 24 hours.
Program management will investigate the incident and report it to the Worker's Compensation Board within the designated time guidelines and using the appropriate forms. Where appropriate, a course of action will be identified as per legislative requirements. Program management may face legal and financial consequences for incidents that are not reported.
Program management will collect information on the types of incidents and trends. All incidents will be reviewed on a regular basis or at least quarterly.
Process Guidelines
During orientation, all staff will be made aware of:
- The processes and procedures related to incidents and incident reporting, as well as health and safety monitoring
- Types of incidents that should be reported
- The time frames in which incidents must be reported
- Any protective devices that are required for specific tasks
On going training programs will be held for staff to review incident reporting practices/changes in legislation.
All incidents are reported and recorded using an incident reporting form. These forms are always completed in ink. Permanent records of any incidents will be kept on each staff person's file.
All employees who experience an incident will be assessed for early return to work. Modified work programs will be offered to staff who are injured on the job.
Program management staff should establish a committee to oversee health and safety issues as per legislative requirements. It may be most effective to establish this committee in partnership with other health and social services programs.
Performance Measurement Suggestions
Indicator: This information is to be developed by communities as they work with their Programs. For an example of the kind of measures that should be identified, refer to the Hiring Policy template.
Formula:
Related Standards
3.3 Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Protection Services
4.1 Health and Safety
4.2 Equipment and Materials
4.5 Emergency and Disaster Planning
6.4 Information Exchange
Some Suggested References
The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Planning Resource Kit: Sections 3A, 4 and 5
Draft Liability Documents: May, section 6.2, 6.3; June, pgs 9-10, 38
Canada Labour Code
Occupational Health and Safety Act
CCHSA AIM Standards, 1999 -- Environment
Provincial/Territorial and Federal Legislation
DIAND/FNIHB Home and Community Care Directives
Review Process:
Dates:
Each community is responsible for developing and putting in place their own procedures. These procedures need to outline the practical steps to be taken to carry out the process guidelines for this policy.
Suggested Procedures
- Procedure for reporting incidents to Program management
- Procedure for recording and monitoring incidents.
Suggested tools:
- Incident reporting form
- Tool to track incidents by type and degree of seriousness
- Procedure for reporting incidents to appropriate legislative bodies.
Suggested tools:
- Incident reporting form, with space to record reporting and follow-up
- Procedure for quality improvement and risk prevention as a result of monitoring and reviewing incidents.
- Procedure for qualifying for a leave of absence.
Suggested tools:
- Form for recording leaves of absence, including reason, length of leave, and any modified work arrangements upon return
- Procedure for qualifying for and establishing a modified work program, in case of injury.
Suggested tools:
- Form for recording details of the modified work program, including reason, length of time modified program should be in place, and progress achieved in returning to a full work program
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