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Resources & Tools

Resources and Tools

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The Home Care and Community Health Support Pocketbook was created to bring awareness to several health and safety issues faced in home and community care.
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In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
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Safety A-Z
Programs & Services

Programs and Services

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Leading from the Inside Out
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Our Programs
Leading from the Inside Out provides a safe space for leaders in continuing care to share their challenges and learn self-care practices.
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The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum is recognized as best-practice in violence prevention training for health care workers.
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Guidelines & Regulations

Guidelines and Regulations

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WorkSafeBC’s healthcare and social services planned inspection initiative focuses on high-risk activities in the workplace that lead to serious injuries and time-loss claims.
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WorkSafeBC is releasing a discussion paper with proposed amendments to the Current Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual that guide wage rate decisions related to short-term and long-term disability compensation. Recommended amendments include: These changes may affect your claims costs. Click here to view the proposed changes and offer feedback to WorkSafeBC – The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, […]
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Guidelines and Regulations
Regulatory News
Safety Month - June 2024

Extreme Weather

One in three Canadian adults has experienced a major weather-related disaster or emergency. The Government of Canada reports that we live “in a period of rapid climate change,” and high-risk weather is becoming severe, longer, and more frequent across Canada.  

Extreme weather can arise quickly and pose several significant and sometimes overlapping health and safety issues. One in three Canadian adults has experienced a major weather-related disaster or emergency​ (Government of Canada, 2023)​. The Government of Canada​ (2023)​ reports that we live “in a period of rapid climate change,” and high-risk weather is becoming severe, longer, and more frequent across Canada.  

Preparation helps to comply with legislation and better respond. Emergencies can happen anywhere. The hazards you need to prepare for depend on your location in British Columbia, so the first step is to identify your hazards. The following resources provide health and safety information on:  

  • emergency response planning 
  • storms 
  • floods 
  • hot environments (and a safety huddle) 
  • wildfire smoke 

These resources can help employers keep their staff safer in extreme weather conditions. 

Have questions about this month's topic? Ask us!

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Extreme Weather

Featured Resources

Starting at $35
This Qualitative Fit Tester Training has been developed in accordance with WorkSafeBC Regulations and CSA Standards. This course is an online, self-paced course with a virtual skills assessment demonstration component.
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Learn to report and recognize heat exhaustion and take preventative measures to help avoid the ill effects of heat stress.
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Moral distress is when one feels as though they should take a certain action but cannot due to the restraints of the situation.
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Hot summer weather brings increased potential for wildfires, resulting in poor air quality. Poor air quality impacts all British Columbians but can be particularly difficult for seniors, those that need to work in smoky conditions, and those with underlying health conditions - including respiratory illness.
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Emergency events such as severe flooding and landslides can occur with very little warning. When creating an emergency response plan for the workplace, considerations need to include planning for evacuation, rescue, and re-entry, when safe to do so.
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Extreme Weather resources

Westcoasters have mastered the art of navigating the Lower Mainland's ever-changing weather, where sunshine can abruptly shift to torrential rain. Having the appropriate strategies at your disposal is crucial for staying dry and safe amidst these unpredictable shifts. With the practical tips below, you'll be ready for whatever the weather throws at you.  As we […]
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Wildfire season is a time of heightened risk, particularly for those living and working in areas prone to these natural disasters. As employers, it's crucial to take proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of your workforce during these challenging times. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the complexities of wildfire season […]
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This orientation checklist helps ensure temporarily displaced workers receive the health and safety information they need to be well-equipped to handle their temporary working environment.
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Weather in BC can be highly variable, often unpredictable, occasionally sudden, and sometimes life-threatening. As droughts continue to impact BC and Alberta, and scientists warn that we can expect more severe storms, longer heatwaves, and increased wildfires (par. 1, 2024), prioritizing emergency preparedness for the summer months cannot be overstated.   These weather predictions emphasize why […]
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The challenges that B.C. faces are growing. Climate change is already affecting our communities, economy, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
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Hazards, such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes, can happen at any time. It is important to consider the needs of seniors in long-term care when planning for, or responding to emergencies.
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Due to climate change, there has been an increase in extreme weather events. Climate related emergencies refer to emergency situations caused by these extreme weather events...
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Provincial wildfires map
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The best way to protect your health from wildfire smoke is to seek cleaner air. Use a portable air cleaner at home, find an indoor environment with filtered air, or relocate to an area with less smoke. If you cannot access cleaner air, some face masks can provide protection from wildfire smoke
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While focused on describing the BC HARS, this document also contains general background information on heat events in B.C. and the reason for the establishment of the BC HEAT Committee.
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Floods are common in BC and can happen at any time of year. The most severe floods usually occur in spring and early summer due to heavy rain and melting snow. They can also be caused by storm surges, ice jams or damage to structures like dikes or dams.
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Procedures for re-commissioning gas & electrical equipment after a natural disaster has occurred.
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The first step to getting prepared is knowing which hazards could happen where you live, or in other areas in B.C. you might visit.
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BC storms can involve strong wind, heavy rain, and snow. These disturbances in the atmosphere can cause power outages or fluctuations, damages, and electrical/gas hazards.
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Use this guide as a starting point to protect that investment and the people you employ by ensuring your business is prepared to be up and running as soon as possible following any type of emergency or business disruption.
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This publication outlines responses to frequently asked questions from employers during the wildfire season. This information is provided to help you understand the hazards associated with exposure to smoke, and to outline some measures you can implement to minimize worker exposures.
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Our bodies naturally maintain a temperature between 36°C and 38°C. Sweating cools our bodies down, but if you work in a hot environment this might not be enough. If your body heats up faster than it can cool itself, you experience heat stress. This can lead to serious heat disorders and potential injury.
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Emergencies and disasters can happen any time and without warning. The more prepared you are for them, the better you'll be able to respond. This resource for employers will help you plan for emergencies and develop effective procedures for evacuating your workplace.
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Older adults, infants, young children, people with chronic conditions, and those on certain medications are especially sensitive to the health effects of heat and should take extra care.
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Create customized and color-coded flash cards to streamline the education process for safety procedures in the home! Noticed the inefficient outcomes that we’ve had for each of our fire drills and discovered the main reason for this was that the staff did not know what to do.
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We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
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