Occupational health and safety services
The mandate of Occupational Health and Safety Services (OHSS) is to prevent illness or injury and promote the health, safety and well-being of SickKids staff while at work, following professional standards of practice and complying with legislation that protects personal health information.
Occupational Health and Safety Services (OHSS) is part of the Human Resources portfolio and consists of the following program areas:
1. Occupational Hygiene and Safety
Occupational hygiene is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace hazards or stresses which may lead to illness or discomfort. An occupational hygienist is available to advise or consult with departments on all health and safety issues.
Services
- Facilitating compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.
- Developing occupational health and safety policies, guidelines, and programs.
- Conducting occupational health and safety risk assessments or investigations.
- Recommending measures to control hazards (e.g. substitution of less hazardous substances, ventilation, enclosure, isolation, barriers, etc.).
- Recommending and selecting personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Developing and/or delivering health and safety training (e.g. legislation, chemical handling/Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), biological agents, radiation, spill response, PPE, ergonomics, etc.).
- Reviewing or assisting with the development of departmental safe work procedures.
- Supporting the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees (JOHSC).
- Promoting measures to reduce risk (e.g. the use of safety engineered medical sharps).
- Consulting with departments before equipment, materials, or devices are purchased.
2. Health and Absence Management Program (HAMP)
When you are absent due to injury or illness for more than five consecutive workdays or shifts, the HAMP provides a framework for the fair and consistent application of disability management guidelines, defines clear roles and expectations, and provides opportunities to identify and resolve barriers for your return to work. The program also outlines the documentation that you are required to provide in order to support an absence and/or a modified return to work plan. Your manager will work with you and a HAMP team member prior to your return to work, by developing a clear plan to resume full time duties should you require modified work and/ or gradual hours. You will have an opportunity to review this plan with your manager and a HAMP team member on a regular basis.
Services
- Monitor all staff absences of 5 consecutive work days or shifts. Request medical documentation at regular intervals to support absence.
- Maintain regular contact with an absent staff member and manager.
- Ensure objective medical documentation is available to support an absence, a request for modified work or a change in shift assignment.
- Develop written, return to work plans to transition an absent staff member back to work in consultation with managers.
- Support rehabilitation goals and monitor return to work.
- Support lifestyle changes through risk assessment and use of promotional material and resources.
3. Wellness Program
SickKids is committed to promoting individual health and supporting the physical, mental and social well-being of all staff through a workplace wellness program. Please click here for more details about the program. (link to the other wellness program section of this site - under total health and benefits)
4. Occupational Health Services
The occupational health clinic is staffed by nurses and a medical consultant with specialization in occupational health. The clinic is located on the 5th Floor, Black Wing, in Room 5309. You may access our services Monday to Friday from 0700 to 1600. For after hour emergencies, call Locating at ext. 7500 to contact the CHS Administrator.
Staff can receive assistance with health concerns and services such as:
- Primary care clinic for illness and injury
- Communicable disease surveillance
- Vaccination administration
- Needlestick and biological exposure management
- Health education and counselling
- Clearance for returning to work following illness or injury
- In addition, comprehensive, confidential, professional counselling services are available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)