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On Topic
You may have seen the signs posted as you entered a long term care facility warning of an outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). As one of the most common diarrheal infections in hospitals and long-term care facilities, this nasty bacterium can cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions like colitis (or inflammation of the colon) among patients or residents. In rare cases, C. difficile can cause death.
The symptoms of C. difficile infection include watery diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain/tenderness.
Who is at risk?
Healthy people are usually not affected by C. difficile. People who are elderly, have serious health conditions (e.g. immune-compromised or cancer) or use antibiotics are at risk. Antibiotics can change the levels of good bacteria found in the intestines. When there are fewer of these good bacteria in the colon and intestines, it creates conditions for C. difficile to grow and produce toxins that lead to infection.
Although C. difficile is commonly found in elderly patients or residents in hospitals and long-term care facilities, a recent study showed an increasing trend of C. difficile infection among hospitalized children, especially those with inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions requiring antibiotics or immunosuppression.
C. diffcile can also pose a risk for infection to health care workers who may be healthy but receiving even short treatments of antibiotics. Workers in health care facilities who are immunocompromised or chronically ill may be at greater risk for C. diffcile infection.
Preventing the spread of C. difficile
C. difficile bacteria are found in feces. When a person is infected, the bacteria in the stool can contaminate surfaces such as toilets, handles, bedpans, or commode chairs. People can become infected if they touch contaminated equipment, objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes or mouth. They can further spread the bacteria if they touch other surfaces with their soiled hands.
C. difficile is most often transferred to patients on the hands of health care workers who have had contact with contaminated patients or feces.
There are steps that everyone can take to control and prevent the spread of C. difficile in health care settings.
EMPLOYERS (health care facilities)
HEALTH CARE WORKERS
VISITORS
PATIENTS
Resources:
Tips and Tools
For many, handling, storing or working with chemical products is a regular part of their job. Knowing how these chemicals may affect their health and safety is not only a legal right for workers, it can also reduce injuries and property damage, and save lives.
Every WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) controlled product sold for use in Canada must be accompanied by a current material safety data sheet (MSDS). The MSDS must be specific to the individual product or material (both the product name and supplier on the MSDS must match the material in use). Employers are legally responsible to make the MSDS readily available to employees.
An MSDS is a document prepared by the supplier or manufacturer that contains important information about the potential hazards (health, fire and reactivity) of a chemical product and how to work safely with it. The MSDS also describes how to safely use, store and handle the product and what to do in an emergency. It tells how to recognize symptoms of exposure and what first aid and other procedures might be necessary. If a controlled product is made in the workplace, the employer has a duty to prepare an MSDS for this product.
Under WHMIS law, an MSDS for a controlled product must not be more than three years old. If you are still using a product that you bought more than three years ago, you should contact the manufacturer or supplier again and ask for a newer version of the MSDS. If they are unable to provide you with one (for example, if they no longer make or sell the product), then you should obtain or prepare an updated MSDS yourself or discontinue using the product.
There are nine (9) categories of information that must be present on an MSDS in Canada. These categories are specified in the Controlled Products Regulations and include:
Podcasts
Along with the shortened days and snow, Canadian winter months can bring frigid, sub-zero temperatures. For those who work outdoors without the comfort and protection of a toasty warm building, exposure to the cold can be hazardous and put them at risk for injury.
How do you beat the cold when you work outside? Aside from several layers of protective, dry clothing, and a healthy mix of physical activity, regular warm up periods can help you work safely in, and defend yourself from the cold.
Workers who are cold are more prone to injury because the temperature impacts their performance of complex mental tasks and reduces the sensitivity and dexterity of their fingers. As well, the cold carries its own potentially dangerous side effects. It is critical that workers and supervisors know the symptoms of over exposure to cold, proper clothing requirements, safe work practices, and physical fitness requirements for work in cold as well as emergency procedures in the event of cold injury. Information is the first defense.
To stay safe and dry, workers must insulate themselves against air temperature, air movement (wind speed), and humidity (wetness). A key counter measure is layered clothing. Done right, it will regulate the amount of heat and perspiration generated and lost while on the job. If the work pace is too fast or if the clothing is not properly selected, excessive sweating may occur and the clothing next to the body will become wet. The moisture will dramatically drop the insulation value of the clothing and increase the risk for cold injuries.
Hypothermia
Low body temperature (hypothermia) is the most common cold injury. Prolonged exposure to the cold causes the body to lose energy faster than it is produced, dropping body temperature. Warning signs are numbness, stiffness, drowsiness, poor coordination and sometimes even a lack of desire to get out of the cold. If any symptoms of hypothermia are present, immediately call for emergency assistance (911).
Get the victim out of the cold and cover him or her with warm blankets. If you are unable to get indoors, get the person out of the wind, use a blanket to provide insulation from the cold ground and cover the person's head and neck to help retain body heat. Once inside, remove and replace any wet or constricting clothes with dry clothing. Warm the person using your own body heat if necessary and apply warm compresses to the neck, chest wall, and groin. Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
Frostbite
Frostbite is the second most common cold injury. Noses, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes are most often affected. The freezing constricts blood vessels, which impair blood flow and may cause permanent tissue damage. If only the skin and underlying tissues are damaged, recovery may be complete. However, if blood vessels are affected, the damage is permanent and could result in the amputation of the affected part.
Seek medical attention. If possible, move the victim to a warm area. Give the victim warm drinks to replace lost fluids. Remove any wet clothing and loosen constricting jewelry that may restrict circulation. Loosely cover the affected area with a sterile dressing (keeping fingers or toes separated) and quickly transport the victim to an emergency care facility. DO NOT attempt to rewarm the affected area on site (but do try to stop the area from becoming any colder). Without the proper facilities, tissue that has been warmed may refreeze and cause more damage. DO NOT rub the area or apply dry heat and DO NOT allow the victim to drink alcohol or smoke.
Prevention
Prevention is the best way to deal with cold stress. Some do's and don'ts to help stay safe in a cold environment include:
DON'T
CCOHS News
Arming people with the knowledge they need to work safely can be challenging. CCOHS has over 65 e-courses on almost as many topics to help you educate and inform your staff. Two of the most recent additions to the e-learning program deal with hazard identification, assessment and control, and working at heights.
Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control
Hazards exist in every workplace, but how do you know which ones have the most potential to harm workers? This three hour, three-module course outlines proven techniques for identifying hazards, assessing risks and controlling hazards - each an essential part of an effective occupational health and safety program. This course will help employers, managers and members of health and safety committees improve their health and safety performance. The course covers essential topics such as hazard mapping, workplace inspections, risk assessment techniques, and the hierarchy of controls.
Working at Heights
Many jobs require people to work at heights. This can pose serious hazards, as falls often result in severe injuries or fatalities. In this one hour course, learn to assess hazards and safe working practices related to working at heights, as well as fall prevention techniques, safe use of ladders, scaffolds, lifts and platforms, and emergency preparedness. This introductory course should be supplemented by further instruction and hands-on training that is specific to the job, worksite and equipment.
All e-courses from CCOHS have been developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible. All you need is a computer, access to the Internet - and you are ready to go! Our courses are designed to help you learn at your own pace and in your own environment at your own convenience.
See the full list of courses from CCOHS.
Last Word.
There are lots of new goodies to check out this month from CCOHS to help you work safely and be healthy at work:
LOOK for the new Day of Mourning posters and
LISTEN to the latest free podcasts.
Every month new free podcast episodes are added to the Health and Safety to Go! program. You can listen now or if you can download to your MP3 player and listen when it is most convenient for you.
Working in the Cold Listen now.
Length: 8:13 minutes
The Scoop on How to Safely Shovel Snow Listen now.
Length: 4:03
LEARN and EARN continuing education points with the upcoming live webinar:
A Guide to Challenging Return-to-Work Situations, Feb. 16, 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST
and the latest recorded webinars:
Manual Materials Handling: Risky Business
Best RTW Practices for Workers with Musculoskeletal and Mental Health Conditions
You can see a complete listing of all podcasts, posters, and webinars on the CCOHS website.
The Health and Safety Report, a free monthly newsletter produced by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), provides information, advice, and resources that help support a safe and healthy work environment and the total well being of workers.
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