One local care provider reports a 600% increase in reported injuries in December

(Burnaby, B.C.) – January 5^th, 2017: Excessive snow and ice on Metro Vancouver streets is causing a spike in injury claims for BC’s homecare workers, reports SafeCare BC. Slips and falls are currently the second leading cause of injuries for staff working in the homecare sector.

“It is critical that homecare workers can get around safely throughout the region to ensure they can provide the vital care required for our elderly population living at home,” says Jennifer Lyle, Executive Director for SafeCare BC. “Reports from our members are coming in that many of their staff are getting injured on icy sidewalks and side streets, leading to more WorkSafeBC claims.”

According to the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society, they have seen a six-fold increase in slips and falls in December compared to the previous month. In November, they experienced seven incidents compared to 41 in December. Over the past five years, the homecare sector registered 706 WorkSafeBC claims due to slips and falls by homecare workers at a total cost of nearly $6.8 million[1].

“There has been a longstanding effort to ensure that seniors have access to the care they need closer to home,” says Lyle. “That’s why we strongly encourage municipalities and citizens to do their part to keep our streets and sidewalks accessible to care staff so seniors can maintain their normal daily activities.”

Care providers have been employing some measures to protect workers, including the purchase of ice cleats. However, that is not enough in many cases, as employees slip and fall before picking up the safety equipment.

“We are already facing a critical shortage of homecare workers in this region,” adds Lyle. “Losing more staff due to an increased number of preventable injuries will only exacerbate this human resource issue.”

 Established in 2013, SafeCare BC is an industry-funded, non-profit society working to ensure injury-free, safe working conditions for continuing care workers in BC. SafeCare BC strives to be the industry leader in advancing injury prevention and safety training for long-term care and home care workers. It is committed to improving health and safety within the workplace and responding to the needs and priorities of its members.