Health and Safety Training
Employers are responsible for providing worker instruction and training under the Workers Compensation Act. In addition, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation also requires worker education, training, and/or certification in many cases.
Employers must ensure workers are:
- made aware of all known or reasonably foreseeable health or safety hazards to which they are likely to be exposed by the work;
- made aware of their rights and duties under the OHS provisions and regulations
In 2012, B.C. health authorities, in collaboration with collective bargaining associations (unions), created a Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum (PVPC). This curriculum was fully implemented by 2016 in all health authorities. It is also delivered through SafeCareBC to people at affiliate workplaces.
Part of SWITCH BC’s mandate is to lead the collaborative work of refreshing the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum.
Where can I access health and safety training?
Health authority employees: can access training and education through either the LearningHUB or iLearn (Interior Health only).
Affiliate (private care) employees: can access training and education through SafeCareBC’s Learning Space.
Many unions offer health and safety training to members. Unionized employees can contact their union to learn more about what’s available.
The BC Federation of Labour (BCFED) Health and Safety Centre also offers training courses for supervisors, JOHSC members, and much more.
What role will SWITCH BC provide when it comes to health and safety training?
SWITCH BC will be working with post-secondary institutions, health authority leaders, and affiliate organizations to develop core health and safety training objectives and requirements. In this collaborative process, we will map out the health care worker’s journey to ensure that workers receive regular refresher courses and simulations, when needed.
