Search

*OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a workplace injury prevention and wellness program compared to no intervention (control) on musicians' playing-related musculoskeletal pain intensity. The hypothesis was that musicians who completed the program would have a greater reduction in pain intensity than the control group. *DESIGN: Pragmatic parallel randomized controlled trial. *METHODS: Sixty-five orchestra musicians were recruited and completed patient-reported outcome measures (primary outcome: pain intensity over 11 months, using the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians; range: 0-40; lower is better) at baseline, 14 weeks (T1), and 11 months (T2). Following baseline assessment, participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 33) or control (n = 32) groups, stratified by instrument and pain prevalence. The intervention group received a 14-week injury prevention and wellness program including education and exercise; the control group received no intervention. *RESULTS: Pain intensity means (standard deviation) were 7.8 (6.2), 8.0 (7.5), and 8.6 (5.7) in the control group, and 9.0 (6.6), 5.0 (4.2), and 6.7 (6.6) in the intervention group at T0, T1, and T2, respectively. Using intention-to-treat analyses (3 dropouts, n = 65 analyzed), between-group differences in pain intensity (95% confidence interval) were T1-T0: -4.2 (-7.5, -0.9); T2-T0: -3.7 (-7.1, -0.3), type III (overall) P = .03, favoring the intervention group. No adverse events were reported. *CONCLUSION: A workplace injury prevention and wellness program may have a clinically meaningful effect on reducing orchestra musicians' pain intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lobstering industry workers are known to have poor overall health and low safety records, but there is still a gap in information concerning Canadian lobster fishers. This study aimed to report occupational health and safety characteristics of an Atlantic Canada community of lobster fishers and to assess differences between captains and deckhands. Twenty-eight participants (10 captains, 18 deckhands) were questioned and self-reported on lifestyle, general health status, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries. The data collected reveal both groups' high prevalence of cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health issues. Captains reported more occupational exposition and health issues, and showed poorer lifestyle habits than deckhands. Fishers reported potential solutions to reduce occupational risks, presented as three types: lifestyle, working behaviours and leadership. This study evaluated a community of Canadian lobster fishers regarding their occupational health and safety. Potential avenues for mitigating occupational risk specific to this community will nurture future implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the career decisions and aspirations of early‐career registered nurses in New Brunswick, Canada. Design: A qualitative study using an interpretive description approach was conducted. Methods: Semi‐structured one‐on‐one interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of nurses (n = 22) currently working in New Brunswick, Canada, with up to 5 years of experience from February to April 2022. Results: Participants described diverse career paths and aspirations. Personal factors affecting these included the desire for meaningful work, career satisfaction, work‐life balance, spending time with family, working in a preferred location, and finances. Professionally, working conditions were the dominant factor influencing early‐career nurses' career decisions and aspirations. Participants described how short staffing, safety, support, and scheduling influenced their day‐to‐day work, mental and physical health, job and career satisfaction, and intent to leave. Conclusion: The findings highlighted the abundant and diverse career opportunities available to nurses early in their careers. Early‐career nurses are interested in finding nursing positions with a high degree of person‐job fit and value opportunities for ongoing professional education and growth. Impact: This study in New Brunswick, Canada, explores early‐career nurses' career decisions and aspirations during nursing shortages and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of person‐job fit. Recommendations include improving working conditions and career pathways to enhance the sustainability of the nursing profession. Reporting Method: Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) is an avalanche terrain classification system used to assess and communicate the exposure of backcountry terrain to the threat from avalanches, independent of daily hazard conditions. Commonly known as terrain ratings, these classifications are determined by an analysis of individual terrain parameters, which are then systematically combined to produce a single rating. The ATES model includes technical specifications for assessing terrain as well as corresponding communication scales for effectively sharing ratings with different kinds of backcountry users. ATES ratings are found in guidebooks and route descriptions or displayed spatially on maps. The system was originally introduced in Canada in 2004 as a risk management tool in conventional avalanche safety practices for public recreation and workplace avalanche safety. This paper introduces ATES v.2, an update to the system that expands the original scale from three levels to five by including Class 0 – Non-Avalanche Terrain, and Class 4 – Extreme Terrain. The original ATES v.1/04 and the ATES Zoning Model are merged into a single, five-level, updated version of ATES. ATES ratings can be applied as Areas, Zones, Corridors, or Routes and then communicated using models for backcountry travel and waterfall ice climbing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A safety plateau in the construction industry has been reported in the US and Canada, which has prompted researchers to seek new factors affecting construction safety performance. Tapping into advancements in the theory of human and organizational behaviors can yield valuable new perspectives. Therefore, by leveraging the advancement of the Job Demand Control Support model in the field of occupational safety and health, this paper firstly tested the impact of one newly added hindrance stressor (i.e., interpersonal conflicts on construction sites) by researchers on organizational behaviors on the safety performance of construction workers, based on two cross-sectional studies in the US and Canada. Differentiations were made between conflicts with supervisors and conflicts with coworkers. One personal resource factor, i.e., individual resilience, was also considered in this paper. A "causal" chain that shows the mitigation impact of individual resilience on conflicts with supervisors or coworkers, and the adverse impact of conflicts with supervisors or coworkers, on unsafe events were found to hold true for both US and Canadian construction sites, based on the results from measurement invariance tests and structural equation modelling. Recommendations regarding how to improve construction workers' individual resilience and reduce interpersonal conflicts on site, thereby reducing safety incidents on site, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-related injuries and diseases have a significant impact on workers and their families, society, and the economy. There is a gap in the literature regarding the structures, content, quality, and outcomes of international occupational health systems serving injured and ill workers. This global round table was an attempt to elucidate, evaluate, and identify areas needing improvement. Methods: International occupational health professionals were identified via chain/snowball sampling and asked to answer five questions designed to evaluate the structures, processes, and outcomes of the workers' compensation systems in each country. Findings: Areas for improvement identified during this round table included timely access, reducing the impact of liability and eligibility determinations on access to medical care, equitable access to care, and the accuracy of reporting. Canada had successfully utilized a virtual approach to care for the geographically remote worker. Conclusions: International workers' compensation structures are designed to ensure timely access to quality care and services. Financial incentives optimize the safety of the working environment. There remain areas for improvement. Resources are limited, especially within the public health systems, which may delay care and affect quality. Informal and remote workers often do not have the same access to care. Occupational Health Services (OHS) and national reporting databases exist throughout the world but may not accurately capture data on informal, self-employed, small business, migrant, and remote workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much correctional work is generally misunderstood by the mainstream media and many public circles as solely punitive and authoritative, which has fueled many politicized outcomes for correctional policy, practice and intervention. Reasonably, critical criminological discourse is steered primarily by the perspectives and voices of prisoners and victims. Yet this privileging leaves many questions remaining about how correctional workers in the contemporary era negotiate their complex duties of both prisoner care and accountability. Drawing on data garnered from open-ended survey responses of provincial and territorial correctional employees (n = 876) in Canada, we explore how Canadian correctional workers balance their emotional and occupational framework and perspectives with integrity. Informed through a lens of emotional labour, we find that many Canadian correctional workers recognize the need for, and gap in, prisoner care, mental health and rehabilitation, while also problematizing the shift and decline in prisoner accountability, which they believe jeopardizes both correctional worker and prisoner safety. We discuss the implications our findings present in relation to questions of power and control in prison spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal in Canada recently ruled on a case involving four injured migrant farm workers who were denied workers' compensation benefits. The workers, who identified as Black, appealed the decision and the Tribunal ruled in their favor. The Tribunal determined that the workers' wage losses and return to work prospects should be based on available jobs in their home country of Jamaica, rather than fictional jobs in Ontario. The decision also addressed issues of systemic racism and the precarious employment status of seasonal agricultural workers. This document explores the issue of anti-Black racism and discrimination faced by Black individuals in various contexts, including the criminal justice system and the workplace. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing racism in legal proceedings and highlights the challenges faced by seasonal agricultural workers, particularly those in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). The document concludes that these factors should be taken into account when evaluating evidence and making decisions in individual cases. [Extracted from the article]

BACKGROUND: Working and volunteering in the reopening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has looked different depending on the location, employment sector and nature of the job. Although researchers have begun exploring the impacts on adults, little is known about what the transition to a 'new normal' in the reopening stages has been like for youth, especially those with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To explore and compare the experiences and perspectives of youth with and without disabilities who were working, volunteering or seeking work during the re-opening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. METHODS: We used a qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews with 16 youth (seven with a disability, nine without), aged 15–29 (mean 22 years). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (1) Mixed views on being onsite in the reopening stages; (2) Mixed views on remaining remote; (3) Hybrid model as the best of both worlds; (4) Mixed views on COVID-19 workplace safety in the reopening stages; and (5) Hopes, dreams and advice for the future. Apart from the first main theme, there were more similarities than differences between youth with and without disabilities. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that youth encountered various work and volunteer arrangements during the reopening stages of the pandemic, and the personal preferences for particular models depend largely on their employment sector. The areas of agreement among youth highlight some longer-term impacts of the pandemic shutdowns and point to the need for greater mental health and career supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workplace violence against nurses is a significant global occupational health problem, with incidents of violence increasing in frequency since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In this article, we provide a review of recent legislative amendments meant to bolster workplace safety in health care in Canada, analyze legal cases where nurses were the victims of violence, and discuss what these legal reforms and decisions reveal about how nurses' work is treated within the Canadian legal system. Under criminal law, the limited number of cases we could find with oral or written sentencing decisions show that, historically, the fact a victim was a nurse was not always considered an aggravating factor on sentencing. Recent legislative amendments make this a specified aggravating factor and it is important to track the impact of these amendments when judges exercise their discretion in sentencing. Under employment law, it appears that, despite the government's efforts to increase the deterrence factor under legislation with significantly increased fines for employers who fail to protect their employees from injury, courts remain reluctant to impose such sanctions. In these cases, it is also important to track the impact of harsher penalties. We conclude that combating the widespread normalization of workplace violence in health care, and specifically against nurses, is acutely needed to help ensure that these ongoing legal reforms aimed at improving the safety of health workers are effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the experiences of patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and health service leaders of compassion in the care of people hospitalized with COVID-19. This study is a secondary analysis of qualitative data deriving from primary research data on recommendations for healthcare organizations providing care to people hospitalized with COVID-19. Participants comprised patients with COVID-19 (n = 10), family caregivers (n = 5) and HCPs in COVID-19 units (n = 12). Primary research data were analyzed deductively under the "lens" of compassion, as defined by Goetz. Four interacting themes were found: (1) COVID-19 – to care or not to care? The importance of feeling safe, (2) A lonely illness – suffering in isolation with COVID-19, (3) Compassionate care for people with COVID-19 across the hospital continuum, and (4) Sustaining compassionate care for people hospitalized with COVID-19 – healthcare provider compassion fatigue and burnout. Compassionate care is not a given for people hospitalized with COVID-19. Healthcare providers must feel safe to provide care before responding compassionately. People hospitalized with COVID-19 experience additional suffering through isolation. Compassionate care for people hospitalized with COVID-19 is more readily identifiable in the rehabilitation setting. However, compassion fatigue and burnout in this context threaten healthcare sustainability. Healthcare providers need to feel physically and psychologically safe to provide compassionate care for people hospitalized with COVID-19. People hospitalized with COVID-19 infection experience added suffering through the socially isolating effects of physical distancing. Compassion and virtuous behaviours displayed by healthcare providers are expected and valued by patients and caregivers, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. High levels of compassion fatigue and burnout threaten the sustainability of hospital-based care for people with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme heat events directly impact worker health and cause additional cascading and transitional workplace impacts. However, current investigations on these impacts often rely on specific datasets (e.g., compensation claims, hospitalizations). Thus, to continue to work towards preventing and mitigating the occupational risks posed by extreme heat events, this study aimed to explore the occupational impacts of the 2021 Heat Dome in Canada using a qualitative content analysis method on a news-based dataset. A systematized review of news articles published before, during, and after the 2021 Heat Dome was conducted on academic (n = 8) and news (n = 5) databases, along with targeted grey literature. Two researchers qualitatively coded the articles in NVivo for occupational impacts or references mentioned within the articles. Overall, 52 different occupations were identified as being impacted by the 2021 Heat Dome. Impacts were diverse and ranged from work cancellations or delays to work modifications and reports of heat-related illnesses. The 2021 Heat Dome impacted the health and safety of many occupational groups and provided new insights into the expanding impacts that extreme heat events can have on the Canadian workforce. With climate projections showing a growing trend of more hot days and intense heat waves in Canada, addressing these concerns should be a critical priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safe use of two-post above-ground automotive lifts (2PAG lifts) has received particular attention in the province of Québec (Canada) following the death of a young mechanic. The inspection and preventive maintenance of this equipment is a problem highlighted in accident investigation reports and by representatives of the sector. Therefore, the work presented in this article aimed at proposing a complete and detailed inspection grid for 2PAG lifts by establishing an exhaustive list of verification criteria, baseline states and the inspection frequency for each criterion according to their criticality. The grid was built from standards, existing grids, manufacturers' manuals, interviews and tests. The inspection frequency for each criterion was established using a decision-making algorithm, notably using the concepts of progressive and sudden failures as well as redundancy. Twenty-three of the 74 inspection criteria established in the grid require routine monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, a federal law enacted in Canada in 2017, aims to increase bystander response to overdoses by offering legal protection for arrests related to simple possession at the scene of an overdose. As this legislation suggests, a shift has occurred to view overdose events as a medical issue, constituting a shift in the role of police officers. Our study aimed to uncover the role police perceive for themselves at overdose events. Twenty-two qualitative interviews were conducted with police officers across British Columbia (BC). A thematic analysis was completed to identify patterns in the data. Police officers perceived their primary role was to ensure the safety of first responders and bystanders at overdose events. Some officers favored enforcing mandatory treatment and used coercive practices to ensure overdose victims received further medical care. Policies which reframe overdose events in terms of a health rather than criminal response put into question whether police officers have a role at overdose events and, if so, what it is. Education and awareness are needed to reduce stigma towards people who use drugs, misunderstandings around naloxone and harmful practices such as coercion, at overdose events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: New immigrant workers (NIWs) are overrepresented in hazardous workplaces. Sufficient Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) training could minimize workplace injuries. This study aims to identify the current status of OH&S and training for NIWs in Canada. Methods: Generic qualitative research was conducted. Seven NIWs and nine service providers were interviewed to understand OH&S issues, perceptions on rules and regulations, and expectations for training. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Four themes that affect OH&S for NIWs include attitudes toward safety and training, personal barriers, Canadian workplace culture, and macrolevel interconnected systems. Three needs on OH&S training are increasing accessibility, ensuring full understanding, and building confidence. Conclusions: Current training does not mitigate safety risks in workplaces, and NIWs do not feel empowered to exercise their rights. New training protocols would be beneficial to equip NIWs to enter the workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article articulates core facility recommendations for regulated health care providers and professionals performing medical aesthetic procedures involving the use of topical and local anesthesia in a private clinic setting in Canada. The recommendations help ensure patient safety, confidentiality, and ethics. Information is provided about the setting/environment where medical aesthetic procedures are performed, safety equipment and emergency medications that should be on-site for medical aesthetic procedures, infection prevention and control measures, the way that medications and medical supplies should be stored, how to handle biomedical hazardous waste, and how to protect patient information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) is a safe technique that is performed frequently by otolaryngologists and intensivists. New challenges have been identified in order to maintain the safety of this procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic. A novel approach, using a modified demistifier canopy, was developed during the first wave of the pandemic and implemented for 17 consecutive percutaneous tracheostomies in order to enhance procedural safety. Methods: A protocol was developed after performing a literature review of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients. A multidisciplinary tracheostomy team was established, including the departments of otolaryngology, critical care, and respiratory therapy. Simulation was performed prior to each PT, and postoperative debriefings were done. Results: A protocol and technical description of PT using a modified demistifier canopy covering was written and video documented. Data were collected on 17 patients who underwent this procedure safely in our tertiary care hospital. There were no procedure-related complications, and no evidence of COVID-19 transmission to any member of the health care team during the study period. Conclusion: As patients continue to recover from COVID-19, their need for tracheostomy will increase. The technique described provides a safe, multidisciplinary method of performing PT in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Medical imaging involving ionizing radiation is common in the clinical setting. Little is known about the level of radiation safety training for medical trainees and attending physicians. We sought to identify the level of radiation safety knowledge and training at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and attending physician level. METHODS: A 29-question survey was sent by email to two sites in Canada. We pooled the results of medical students, residents, and attending physicians. The primary outcome was to describe the amount of radiation safety training among these groups. The secondary outcomes were to describe the frequency of radiation exposure, level of radiation knowledge, and preferred training method for radiation safety. RESULTS: Of 115 surveys that were properly completed, 31 (26.9%) medical students, 17 (14.7%) residents, and 67 (58.3%) attending physicians responded. A greater number of medical students (41.9%) reported they had zero hours of training time for radiation safety compared to attending physicians (14.9%) (p<0.05). A higher number of attending physicians (47.8%) and residents (64.7%) participated in patient care involving fluoroscopy daily or at least several times per week compared to medical students (3.2%) (p<0.001). Attending physicians had the greatest number of correct responses to radiation safety questions. Online courses and workshops were the preferred training methods. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation safety training is an important component of medical education for medical trainees and attending physicians. Current radiation safety training requirements and procedures at various levels of medical training in Canada should be addressed. Implementing radiation safety education may improve adherence to the radiation safety principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of agricultural fatalities and injuries related to agricultural quad bike use has risen substantially in the last two decades. Safe engineering design features such as crush protection and roll bars have proven potential to lessen the burden of injury but have traditionally not been included in many quad bike safety training programs. The aim of this study was to survey more than 700 young adults working in U.S. and Canadian agriculture to examine self-reported quad bike safety behaviors and awareness of quad bike safety design engineering features. We found that U.S. males continue to be at higher risk for quad bike-rollover incidents when compared to other groups. Even when accounting for other factors such as age and country, we found that participants who reported youth occupational quad bike use (≤14 years old) were up to 200% more likely to allow extra riders and up to 489% more likely to not wear a helmet when compared to participants who reported beginning occupational quad bike use in adulthood. These findings support the Agricultural Youth Work Guideline (AYWG) for occupational quad bike use at age 16. Less than 20% of young adults working in agriculture were aware of safe design features such as wide frames, stability ratings, crush protection devices, and accessories made by the original equipment manufacturer. There is tremendous need to educate the future agricultural workforce about the importance of choosing quad bikes with safer design features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Political Science Review is the property of Canadian Political Science Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The burden of health and safety related issues emanating from the modern workplace is overwhelming. Although the prevailing statistics found in the literature show that victims of workplace fatalities and injuries are higher in developing countries and transition economies, there is a very limited understanding of the causal factors that may correspond to the continuous increase in the occupational exposure of employees to various fatalities and injuries. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on occupational safety of workers with the objective of highlighting the major causal factors of workplace injuries and fatalities from a multi-regional perspective, particularly on job-contexts with highest safety and health related hazards. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature was conducted on 73 empirical studies in the regions of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and the Americas (the US & Canada). Findings: The results showed that the highest number of injuries and fatalities were mostly found in the construction industry. It further emerged that most of the studies were centered in developing countries within Africa and Asia. Other results and recommendations were discussed for each region. Value: The findings from this study have the potential to expose the regional dynamics in relation to safety in the workplace. This study also addresses the main areas of concern for stakeholders to promote organizational development and safety culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Although studies have assessed the impact of occupational risk factors on the health of law enforcement officers (LEO's), few have involved (LEO's) as informants in ways that allow their points of view to be heard directly. Thus, the objective of this study is to explore the occupational health, safety, and wellness (OHSW) concerns of (LEO's). Methods : (LEO's) working in Quebec, Canada were invited to answer an open-ended question regarding their OHSW concerns. Using a multi-stage content analysis, the collected answers were analyzed and coded by two members of the research team to identify the most recurrent concerns of (LEO's). Findings : Five themes relating to the OHSW concerns of (LEO's) were identified, namely, the work schedule, occupational stress, work equipment, workplace health promotion, and operational risks. Furthermore, our analyses highlighted differences in the concerns of (LEO's) based on their level of experience and sex. Conclusions/Application to Practice : This study addresses a gap in the literature on the OHSW concerns from the perspective of (LEO's). Overall, our results support that the work schedule and occupational stress associated with law enforcement are the two most recurrent concerns of (LEO's). Thus, the results of this study further stress the need for police organizations to implement strategies and policies, which could mitigate the deleterious effects of these hazards on the overall wellness of (LEO's). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses working in critical care environments have experienced a great deal of psychological stress during the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying factors that contribute to burnout and turnover intentions are important to retain intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are directly and indirectly associated with burnout and turnover intentions in ICU nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with survey data during the peak of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online survey and analyzed using mediation analysis. A total of 236 ICU nurses across Canada participated in the study. Results: The results indicate that burnout mediates the relationship between moral distress, organizational support, resilience, and turnover intentions. Moreover, 49% of the participants were considering leaving. The reasons were related to lack of administrative support, poor work environment and safety concerns. Discussion: Organizational support and individual resilience can both play a role in turnover intentions through the prevention of burnout symptoms. Managers at all levels play an important role in mitigating the harmful effects of the pandemic. Conclusion: The pandemic has had a serious psychological impact on ICU nurses. Targeted interventions are needed to support this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe professional and personal experiences of nursing home care leaders during early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative interpretive description. Eight sites across 2 Canadian provinces. Sites varied by COVID-19 status (low or high), size (<120 or ≥120 beds), and ownership model (for-profit or not-for-profit). We recruited 21 leaders as participants: 14 managers and 7 directors of care. Remote Zoom-assisted semi-structured interviews conducted from January to April 2021. Concurrent data generation and inductive content analysis occurred throughout. Sampling ceased once we reached sufficient analytic variation and richness to answer research questions. Most participants were female, ≥50 years of age, and born in Canada. We found 4 major themes. (1) Responsibility to protect: Extreme precautions were employed to protect residents, staff, and leaders' families. Leaders experienced profound distress when COVID-19 infiltrated their care homes. (2) Overwhelming workloads: Changing public health orders and redeployment to pandemic-related activities caused administrative chaos. Leaders worked double shifts to cope with pandemic demands and maintain their usual work. (3) Mental and emotional toll: All participants reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, leading to ongoing exhaustion. Shifting staff focus from caring to custodial enforcement of isolation caused considerable distress, guilt, and grief. (4) Moving forward: The pandemic spotlighted deficiencies in the nursing home context that lead to inadequate quality of resident care and staff burnout. Some leaders indicated their pandemic experience signaled an unanticipated end to their careers. Nursing home leaders faced mental distress and inordinate workloads during the pandemic. This is an urgent call for systemic change to improve working conditions for leaders and quality of care and quality of life for residents. Nursing home leaders are at increased risk of burnout, which must be addressed to mitigate attrition in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an ongoing threat to the mental wellbeing of countless individuals worldwide, with healthcare workers at particularly high risk. We developed the STEADY staff wellness program prior to the pandemic based on the available literature and input from stakeholders, guided by the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Implementation Science Framework. We quickly adapted the STEADY program for implementation in selected high-need units within Canada's largest trauma hospital during the pandemic's first wave. This brief report describes implementation of the STEADY program, retroactively applying the structure of the Knowledge-to-Action Implementation Science Framework to the practical steps taken. We identified the importance of more frequent, shorter contact with HCWs that occurred in-person, with an emphasis on peer support. A flexible approach with strong support from hospital leadership were key facilitators. Our findings suggest that a flexible approach to practical program implementation, theoretically underpinned in best-practices, can result in an acceptable program that promotes increased HCW wellbeing during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reappraisal of mitigation strategies against occupational hazards is required to ensure that all health workers – not just those in perceived "high-risk" work environments - are protected. This will mean reducing community-level risks and ensuring that the same level of IPC measures, PPE training and supply is available when needed. Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate occupational and non–work-related risk factors of coronavirus disease 2019 among health care workers (HCWs) in Vancouver Coastal Health, British Columbia, Canada, and to examine how HCWs described their experiences. Methods: This was a matched case-control study using data from online and phone questionnaires with optional open-ended questions completed by HCWs who sought severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing between March 2020 and March 2021. Conditional logistic regression and thematic analysis were utilized. Results: Providing direct care to coronavirus disease 2019 patients during the intermediate cohort period (adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 3.46) and community exposure to a known case in the late cohort period (adjusted odds ratio, 3.595%; confidence interval, 1.86 to 6.83) were associated with higher infection odds. Suboptimal communication, mental stress, and situations perceived as unsafe were common sources of dissatisfaction. Conclusions: Varying levels of risk between occupational groups call for wider targeting of infection prevention measures. Strategies for mitigating community exposure and supporting HCW resilience are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To disentangle the key steps of the return to work (RTW) process and offer clearer recovery-focused and sustainable RTW for people on sick leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs). This participatory research involves two large Canadian organizations. In each organization, we established an advisory committee composed of RTW stakeholders. We collected information in semi-structured interviews from RTW stakeholders (n = 26) with each member of the advisory committee in each organization, as well as with employees who had recently experienced CMDs. The interviews examined the RTW process for employees on sick leave due to CMDs as well as RTW stakeholders' perceptions of barriers and facilitators. A thematic approach was used to synthesize the data, following which, results were discussed with the two advisory committees to identify solutions considering key RTW steps. Ten common key steps within the three RTW phases emerged from the semi-structured interviews with RTW stakeholders and discussions with the two advisory committees: 1) At the beginning of sickness absence and involvement of disability management team (phase 1), we found 3 steps (e.g., taking charge of the file), 2) during the involvement in treatment rehabilitation with health professionals and preparation of the RTW (phase 2), 4 steps (e.g., RTW preparation), and finally 3) the RTW and follow-up (phase 3) consists of 3 steps (e.g., gradual RTW). A participatory study involving RTW stakeholders helped identify 10 common key steps within three phases to support RTW sustainability of people with CMDs. Future research will need to address how RTW coordinators intervene in the RTW process of employees with CMDs within these steps. Rehabilitation professionals will benefit from a detailed description of the RTW process (10 steps spread out over 3 RTW phases), allowing them to standardize it while adopting a personalized approach for the employee on sick leave. Rehabilitation professionals are informed of stakeholders' role and actions required in the RTW process; as such the communication between RTW stakeholders should be improved. RTW coordinators will be able to tailor more precisely their intervention, considering the detailed RTW process and RTW stakeholders' role and actions, and thus will become the pivot occupational health specialists for the RTW process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses are key healthcare workers whose adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures is integral to the prevention of nosocomial spread of SARS-COV-2. Institutional trust is an important correlate of adherence. After initially surveying nurses early in 2020, we sought to evaluate how perceptions of IPC measures and institutional trust changed one year into the pandemic. Methods: We adapted an internationally distributed cross-sectional questionnaire, incorporating validated scales for items including institutional trust, and distributed it by email and Slack via the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses between April 29 and May 28, 2021. We evaluated adherence to IPC protocols, barriers and facilitators to IPC guideline adherence, and respondents’ level of institutitonal trust and compared results across the two time periods. Results: 141 nurses responded to the survey. In 2021, respondents reported lower rates of fear of becoming ill and providing care for patients with COVID-19 (T = 3.83, p = < 0.001). They reported higher levels of skill (T = 3.57, p < 0.001) and continued to report similarly high levels of professional expectations compared to 2020 (T = 0.85, p = 0.39). However, institutional trust dropped in 2021 (T = 4.31, p < 0.001), particularly in national and regional governmental trust. Interpretation: Respondents demonstrated less trust in national and regional governments compared to respondents in 2020, although they reported less overall concern for themselves and their families, and higher skills and knowledge around IPC procedures. Canadian nurses continue to have strong beliefs in the utility of PPE and IPC procedures, and strong social and professional expectations to adhere to IPC measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A continuing education program was designed to help nurses stay safe while providing nursing care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program addressed topics aimed at empowering nurses to advocate for their own health and safety as a result of increased knowledge related to caring for patients and communities during a global pandemic. A four-part, on-demand webinar series was offered from January 2021 through January 2022. The program had 1,025 international participants and 995 contact hours were issued. The Frontline Nursing During COVID-19: A New Paradigm continuing education program provided professional development to nurses around the world. It is critical to offer accessible programs that address safety and empowerment for nurses in clinical settings. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(9):425–428.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cultures of safety in farm work settings are under the authority of a responsible owner‐operator, who establishes rules, attitudes, and behaviors for farm work practices. This novel analysis provides new evidence to show that risks that can lead to injury and are commonly practiced on Canadian farms are indeed transferred between generations. Methods: Baseline data were provided by representatives from eligible and consenting farms (n = 589) in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada, during the first quarter of 2013. Mailed questionnaires were sent to participating farms and completed by a single respondent. Questionnaires included scaled assessments of hazards and safety practices by farm operators, and young workers on each farm. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were used to examine relationships between farm owner‐operator risks and safety practices and those reported for the young workers. Findings: Graphical descriptive analyses showed that as farm owner‐operator risks increased, so did those reported for children and young workers. Similarly, as farm owner‐operator safe work practices increased, young worker hazards decreased, albeit more modestly. The young worker hazard scale increased by 0.20 (95% CI: 0.10‐0.30) points, and decreased by 0.08 (95% CI: –0.016 to –0.000) points for each one‐point increase in the owner‐operator hazard and safe work practices scales, respectively. Conclusions: Occupational health and safety risks and protections experienced on farms appear to be transferred between generations. This suggests the need to target farm owner‐operators, the responsible authority on the farm, as a focus of primary prevention strategies aimed at injury risks to children and young workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nearly a quarter-million people work in universities in Canada, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors. Although each university provides occupational health and safety services and training programmes to their employees, there have been no studies conducted on the impact of such programmes on employees- knowledge, attitude and behaviour. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dissemination of information of workplace health and safety programmes to workers at a Canadian university. Methods: The study compared two cross-sectional online surveys of employees of a Canadian university regarding workplace health and safety with a previously conducted cross-sectional study and thematic analysis of key informant interviews to address the issues raised in the surveys. Results: Participation in health and safety presentations could enhance understanding and practices of safety. Age, employment status and duration of employment were associated with the levels of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of employees and graduate students. The key informant interviews highlighted some new initiatives such as the establishment of workplace health and safety committees in all university buildings; the development of a safety app and health and safety management system; routine annual inspections of all university building offices and laboratories; new orientation for undergraduate students where general safety rules are described. Discussion: University should have regular presentations on the available health and safety programmes and should increase the number of safety training programmes and keep track of the employees that have not received any training, particularly for those working in hazardous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Healthcare workers exposure to antineoplastic drugs can lead to adverse health effects. Guidelines promote the safe handling of antineoplastic drugs, but no safe exposure limit was determined. Regular surface sampling contributes to ensuring workers safety. Methods: A cross-sectional monitoring is conducted once a year with voluntary Canadian centers, since 2010. Twelve standardized sampling sites were sampled. Samples were analyzed by high performance mass coupled liquid chromatography. The limits of detection (in ng/cm2) were: 0.001 for cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine; 0.3 for docetaxel and ifosfamide; 0.04 for 5-fluorouracil and paclitaxel; 0.003 for irinotecan; 0.002 for methotrexate; 0.01 for vinorelbine. Results: The surfaces from 109 centers were sampled between 01/01/2020–18/06/2020. Twenty-six centers delayed their participation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 1217 samples were analyzed. Surfaces were frequently contaminated with cyclophosphamide (34% positive, 75th percentile 0.00165 ng/cm2) and gemcitabine (16% and <0.001 ng/cm2). The armrest of patient treatment chairs (84% to at least one drug), the front grille inside the biological safety cabinet (BSC) (73%) and the floor in front of the BSC (55%) were frequently contaminated. Centers that prepared ≥5000 antineoplastic drugs annually had higher concentration of cyclophosphamide on their surfaces (p < 0.0001). Contamination measured on the surfaces was reduced from 2010 to 2020. Conclusions: This large-scale study showed reproducible long term follow up of the contamination of standardized sites of Canadian centers and a reduction in surface contamination from 2010 to 2020. Periodic surface sampling help centers meet their continuous improvements goals to reduce exposure as much as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive care unit nurses are providing care to COVID-19 patients in a stressful environment. Understanding intensive care unit nurses' sources of distress is important when planning interventions to support them. Purpose: To describe Canadian intensive care unit nurse experiences providing care to COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic. Design: Qualitative descriptive component within a larger mixed-methods study. Participants and research context: Participants were invited to write down their experiences of a critical incident, which distressed them when providing nursing care. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the ethics committee at the researchers' university in eastern Canada. Results: A total of 111 critical incidents were written by 108 nurses. Four themes were found: (1) managing the pandemic, (2) witness to families' grief, (3) our safety, and (4) futility of care. Many nurses' stories also focused on the organizational preparedness of their institutions and concerns over their own safety. Discussion: Nurses experienced moral distress in relation to family and patient issues. Situations related to insufficient institutional support, patient, and family traumas, as well as safety issues have left nurses deeply distressed. Conclusion: Identifying situations that distress intensive care unit nurses can lead to targeted interventions mitigating their negative consequences by providing a safe work environment and improving nurses' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine long-haul truck drivers (LHTD) perceptions of COVID-19 and their use of health and safety practices. Methods: 146 LHTD completed an online survey to collect data on their experiences with COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic analysis for open-ended responses. Results: LHTD were aged from 22 to 79 years (mean age 48.1 +/- 11.8); 82.2% were men. Almost half of the sample were not concerned about COVID-19. Those not concerned were significantly less likely to employ health and safety practices (eg, wearing masks, social distancing), were less educated and healthier. They also perceived COVID-19 to not be real or a serious threat to their health. Conclusions: Tailored education approaches are needed to provide evidence-based data on COVID-19 risks and complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored social service providers' perceptions of risk and resilience while caring for their vulnerable clients during COVID-19. Participants (N = 68) from two agencies completed an online survey. Over half of participants had shifted to virtual service delivery; about 30% continued to have direct contact with clients. Using regression modeling, we found that age, gender, confidence in providing COVID-related care, worries about spreading SARS-CoV-2, and information and supports explained 36% of variance (Adjusted R2 =.357) in provider resilience. Social service agencies need to address provider worries, which may contribute more to resilience than providing information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health care systems globally. To understand how health care systems can best support frontline health care providers caring for patients in similar situations, it is necessary to gain insights into their experience. Purpose: This quality improvement study explored the lived experience of Canadian frontline medicine nurses caring for COVID-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic. Method: A qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach was conducted. Forty-three eligible nurses participated in semistructured interviews and online surveys. Full transcription and thematic content analysis were performed. Results: Three overarching themes were deduced: (1) a traumatic experience, (2) living through the experience, and (3) achieving transcendence. Conclusion: Several recommendations were identified. These recommendations aim to aid health care systems in emergency preparation planning and future pandemic responses while supporting frontline health care providers' resilience and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After Canada's laws criminalising sex work were struck down by the Supreme Court for violating sex workers' rights and new end-demand legislation was passed in 2014. These new laws however continue to criminalise sex work third parties (i.e. venue owners/managers) who gain material benefits, despite evidence that managed in-call venues can provide important protections for sex workers. As part of a longstanding community-based study in Vancouver, this analysis drew on 25 in-depth interviews with third parties who provide services for indoor sex workers. We explored how end-demand third party criminalisation shapes indoor sex workers' working conditions, health and safety. We found that most third parties were women and current/former sex workers, problematising assumptions of third parties as exploitative male "pimps". Third parties provided client screening, security and sexual health resources for sex workers, yet end-demand laws restricted condom availability and access to police protections in case of violence, thereby undermining sex workers' health and safety. Our findings highlight that third party criminalisation under end-demand legislation reproduces the unsafe working conditions under the previous laws deemed unconstitutional by Canada's highest court. Legislative reforms to decriminalise all aspects of the sex industry, including sex workers' right to work with third parties, are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workers in the electric power industry commonly perform physically demanding jobs in hot environments, which combined with the protective clothing worn, places them at risk of disease and health problems related to occupational heat stress. With climate change fueling an increase in the occurrence of hot weather, a targeted approach to heat stress management within the industry is needed. To better understand current heat management practices and identify opportunities for refinement, we conducted an exploratory survey among 33 electric utility companies operating in the United States (n = 32) and Canada (n = 1). Forty-six employees responsible for health and safety of company workers completed 26 questions assessing heat stress as a workplace hazard and heat management practices within five categories: (1) use and administration of heat stress management program; (2) surveillance of heat stress and heat strain; (3) job evaluation and heat-mitigation guidance; (4) education and training programs; and (5) treatment of heat-related illness. While a majority of the respondents (87.0%) indicated heat stress is a workplace hazard and their organization has a heat stress management program (78.3%), less than half reported performing real-time monitoring of heat stress in the workplace (47.8%) or tracking worker heat strain (19.6%) (i.e., physiological response to heat stress). However, most organizations indicated they conducted pre-job evaluations for heat stress (71.7%) and implemented an employee training program on managing heat stress (73.9%). The latter included instruction on various short- and long-term heat-mitigation guidance for workers (e.g., use of work exposure limits, hydration protocols) and the prevention (52.2%) and treatment (63.1%) of heat-related illnesses. Altogether, our survey demonstrates that although many companies employ some form of a heat management program, the basic components defining the programs vary and are lacking for some companies. To maximize worker health and safety during work in hot environments, a consensus-based approach, which considers the five basic components of a heat management program, should be employed to formulate effective practices and methodologies for creating an industry-specific heat management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]