Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health (OESH)
The Provincial Healthcare Violence Prevention Program for Health Care Workers in Manitoba has been developed to ensure that every reasonable effort will be made to mitigate, eliminate or reduce all forms of violence in workplaces where healthcare services are provided.
Workers with medical conditions or restrictions may need assistance in the event of an emergency, such as needing to evacuate a building in the event of a fire drill.
If you require additional assistance in the event of an emergency, you can request an emergency response plan. For more information, please see the attached link.
When injury or illness affects your ability to work
- Work Related Injury/Near Miss (INM) Reporting & Work Related Absence
- Disability Case Management
- Return to Work / Accommodation
- Community Health Services and WIS specific safety and health information
About Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health (OESH)
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and to ensure compliance with the requirements of Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health legislation is maintained and where possible exceeded.
Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health (OESH) is a multi-disciplinary organization with staff members having skills and experience in different areas of occupational safety. This allows the office to have a coordinated and multi-faceted approach and response to the many health and safety issues that arise at the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
Each OESH staff member is responsible for and has specific expertise in one or more of the key program areas. Some programs require a joint or team approach and OESH manages their activities accordingly. OESH will act as a resource and provide service and consultation to all WRHA staff.
The program is broken down into four sections:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Safety
- Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention
- Case Management
Occupational Health Nurse (OHN)
Occupational Health Nurses are specially trained to provide for and deliver occupational health care services to employees. This includes the promotion, protection and restoration of employee health within the context of a safe and healthy work environment. OHNs function in the roles of educator, consultant, nurse practitioner, information provider and counselor. The OHNs should be called when there are concerns of exposures to infectious agents, communicable diseases, blood & body fluids, chemical agents, and/or workplace violence or injuries. Also, call if information is required on protective devices, immunizations or tests, or requirements for a safe work environment.
Disability Case Management Coordinator (DCMC)
The focus of the Disability Case Management Coordinator (DCMC) is to assist injured and/or ill employees with a safe and healthy return to meaningful and productive work. With the co-operation of supervisors, union and human resource representatives, medical professionals and the employee, the DCMC co-ordinates return to work plans and facilitates work accommodations.
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Specialist (MSIP)
The Musculoskeletal Specialist assists in the development of policy, injury prevention standards and initiatives to meet the needs of employees. The MSS provides ergonomic consultations with respect to: Workstations, Patient Handling and Materials Handling. The MSS collaborates and consults with various groups on matters related to musculoskeletal injuries & injury prevention.
Safety Coordinator (SC)
An SC is a consultant to workforce management and non-management and is responsible for providing accurate guidance for the development of policy and procedure. An SC can provide training and develop training programs, provide expertise in the investigation of accidents and injury and in preventive recommendations. An SC has expert knowledge in Occupational safety law, codes of practice and industry best practice. SCs link with specialists in the field: OHN’s, Occupational Hygienists, Musculoskeletal specialists, etc. to provide complete safety and health to their clients, the employer and the staff.