Safe Sharps:
WorkSafe BC announces dates for new public hearings
WorkSafe BC (formerly the Worker's Compensation Board, or WCB) has announced the dates for hearings into proposed new regulations to strengthen protection against injuries from sharps devices.
Nurses are encouraged to review the proposed regulation and BCNU's statement of concerns, attend one of the hearings to make a presentation or submit a presentation on-line.
The proposed regulations improve an initial set of rule changes approved by the WorkSafe BC Board in July after BCNU members lobbied for stronger protection. The initial rules will require employers to use the safest device, not the cheapest to protect workers from sharps injuries. The latest proposals would widen the scope of the regulations to include all medical sharp devices such as scalpels and sutures, not just vascular access hollow bore needles.
BCNU still has serious concerns. Like the initial set of changes, the rules wouldn't come into effect until 2008. There is no requirement that employers consult with workplace joint health and safety committees or workers in selecting devices. And there is no requirement to log all medical sharps injuries.
Following is the hearing schedule. Session times are all 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Prince George: Monday, November 20, 2006
Coast Inn of the North
770 Brunswick Street
Vancouver: Thursday, November 23, 2006
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel
1088 Burrard Street
Kelowna: Monday, November 27, 2006
Conference Centre at the Best Western Hotel
2400 Highway 97 North
Nanaimo: Thursday, November 30, 2006
Coast Bastion Inn
11 Bastion Street
To register to make an oral presentation please call 604-232-7744 or toll free in BC at 1-866-614-7744. One presentation from an organization or individual will be permitted, up to a maximum of 10 minutes per topic and a total of 20 minutes for all topics.
Online submissions are accepted at http://www2.worksafebc.com/forms/regrev/061020/part6.htm
|
