Abstract
Background
Analysis of workers’ compensation data and occupational health and safety trends in healthcare across Canada was conducted to provide insight concerning workplace injuries and prevention measures undertaken in the healthcare sector.
Methods
Timeloss claims data were collected for 1992–2002 from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada. Labour Force data from Statistics Canada were used to calculate injury rates. The Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia coordinated with provincial occupational health and safety agencies in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia to analyze injury data and collate prevention measures in their regions.
Results
The national timeloss injury rate declined from 4.3 to 3.7 injuries per 100 personyears since 1998. Musculoskeletal injuries consistently comprised the majority of timeloss claims. Needlestick injuries, infectious diseases and stress-related claims infrequently resulted in timeloss claims although they are known to cause great concern in the workplace. Prevention measures taken in the various provinces related to safer equipment (lifts and electric beds), return-to-work programs, and violence prevention initiatives. Different eligibility criteria as well as adjudication policies confounded the comparison of injury rates across provinces.
Discussion
Since 2000, all provinces experienced healthcare restructuring and increased workload in an aging workforce. Despite these increased risks, injury rates have decreased. Attribution for these trends is complex, but there is reason to believe that focus on prevention can further decrease injuries. While occupational health is a provincial jurisdiction, harmonizing data in addition to sharing data on successful prevention measures and best practices may improve workplace conditions and thereby further reduce injury rates for higher risk healthcare sector occupations.
Résumé
Introduction
On a effectué une analyse des données sur l’indemnisation des accidentés du travail et des tendances en santé et sécurité au travail à l’échelle du pays en vue de se familiariser avec les blessures en milieu de travail et les mesures préventives prises dans le secteur de la santé.
Méthodologie
Les données sur les réclamations pour jours de travail perdus de 1992 à 2002 ont été recueillies par l’Association des commissions des accidents du travail du Canada (ACATC). Les données sur les heures travaillées utilisées pour calculer les taux d’accidents du travail ont été fournies par Statistique Canada. L’Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH) en Colombie-Britannique a collaboré avec des organisations de santé et sécurité au travail de l’Ontario, du Québec et de la Nouvelle Écosse en vue d’analyser les données sur les lésions professionnelles et recueillir les mesures préventives à cet égard dans leurs régions.
Résultats
Depuis 1998, on a noté un déclin dans le taux de lésions professionnelles (pour 100 travailleurs par année) au niveau national de 4,3 a 3,7. Les troubles musculosquelettiques constituaient la majorité des réclamations pour jours de travail perdus dans chaque province. Les réclamations liées au stress, à des piqûres accidentelles avec des aiguilles et à des maladies infectieuses donnaient peu fréquemment lieu à des jours de travail perdus, bien qu’il s’agisse d’incidents reconnus pour causer d’importantes préoccupations en milieu de travail. Les mesures préventives prises par les diverses provinces avaient trait à de l’équipement plus sécuritaire (lèvepersonne et lits électriques), des programmes de retour au travail et des initiatives de prévention de la violence. La différence dans les critères d’admissibilité et la politique d’indemnisation rendait difficile la comparaison des taux de lésions professionnelles entre les provinces.
Discussion
Depuis l’an 2000, toutes les provinces ont connu une restructuration du secteur de la santé et une charge de travail accrue, dans un milieu où la main-d’oeuvre est vieillissante. Or, malgré des risques accrus, le taux de lésions professionnelles a diminué. Les motifs à l’appui de ces tendances sont complexes, mais tout porte à croire que mettre l’accent sur la prévention peut réduire le taux de lésions professionnelles. Bien que les questions de santé au travail relèvent des provinces, l’harmonisation des données de même que le partage de données sur les mesures préventives fructueuses et les meilleures pratiques pourraient sans doute améliorer les conditions en milieu de travail et, partant, réduire davantage le taux de lésions professionnelles dans les professions à risque élevé du secteur de la santé.
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Acknowledgements: This research was funded by Health Canada, Nursing Directorate. The Health Canada Report was coordinated by Doug Pawson and Chris Engst from the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH) in BC in partnership with: Tracey Leary from the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations (NSAHO); Jocelyn Sikorski with Susan Griffiths from the Health Care Health and Safety Association of Ontario (HCHSA); and Diane Parent with Sylvie Bédard from l’Association paritaire pour la santé et la sécurité du secteur affaires sociales (ASSTSAS). We thank the staff of OHSAH for assisting in the preparation of the manuscript.
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Yassi, A., Gilbert, M. & Cvitkovich, Y. Trends in Injuries, Illnesses, and Policies in Canadian Healthcare Workplaces. Can J Public Health 96, 333–339 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404026
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404026