The CNESST has its eye on the health care sector
Between 2017 and 2019, for the first time ever, the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) is making the healthcare and social assistance sector a priority. It’s not surprising since this sector has had the highest incidence of employment injuries—between 15,000 and 16,000 annually between 2011 and 2015. That accounts for 18% of all injuries across all sectors.
That is why the CNESST sent Bernard Dufour, one of its representatives, to speak to the participants of the FIQ’s Network of OHS Union Representatives on October 11, 2017. It was a great lead in for the discussions that followed. Mr. Dufour explained that after analyzing the injuries across all job sectors, they identified the predominant risks and priority sectors. The CNESST then held a consultation with representatives from the target groups and determined their priority actions.
For the healthcare and social assistance sector, this approach culminates in determining three specific areas of intervention: musculoskeletal injuries, falls and workplace violence. The next steps will consist of a more in-depth analysis of the problems and developing a long-term intervention strategy together with the sector. We will use a gradual approach: convince, support, enforce. We hope that this approach will be successful!