Woodland sees big reduction in workplace injuries, WSIB claims
Friday, January 5, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Over the past year, Woodland Villa has witnessed a dramatic reduction in the number of job-related injuries and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims.

The home’s nursing administrative services manager credits education and the use of mechanical lifts as key factors in making the workplace safer and the nursing budget healthier.

“We are way, way down,” says Kim Kavanagh regarding both the number of injuries and WSIB claims at the Long Sault long-term care home.

In December 2005, the home had 14 employees on modified duties, while in December 2006, it had five.

“If there’s an injury, you’re right back to work on modified duties. We try to keep them on the master schedule.”

This means when an employee is on modified duties he or she remains on the master schedule but the workload is adjusted to meet the employee’s current capabilities. For instance, while still maintaining a full list of residents, the injured worker would support residents requiring lighter care. Prior, the injured worker’s hours would be cut and management had to call in extra staff to take on the extra duties and work alongside the injured employee. “Our numbers were through the roof,” says Kim. “We weren’t entirely sure what to do.”

As a result of education from home office and the WSIB, Woodland held in-services and made employees aware the home was making a concerted effort to reduce the number of claims and safely return employees to work more quickly. “It’s good that the staff realize we’re going to investigate,” says Kim.

The home’s administrator, along with the head of the health and safety committee, were also involved in taking a close look at Safety First, OMNI’s revised health and safety manual it introduced to homes in 2006. Last year’s increased funding for mechanical lifts reduced the need for staff to lift residents and in turn meant fewer injuries, notes Kim.

The trend of reduced workplace-related injuries in 2006 was reflected throughout OMNI, the company’s CEO earlier told Axiom News. OMNI closed out 2005 facing $650,000 in surcharges through the NEER ratings and this year is looking at a $50,000 rebate.

“That is a ‘blow-your-socks-off’ difference and resulted from a concerted effort by April Dowdall, our human resources manager, and our administrators who were rigorous in ensuring that we were in compliance with all the regulations,” Fraser Wilson said.

Not only will OMNI not have to put more money into surcharges but there will be more money to serve residents, he pointed out.

Woodland experienced a higher than average number of claims in 2005, which wreaked havoc on the nursing budget, Kim earlier told the OMNIway.

At the time when 14 employees were on modified duties, they were replaced on the floor causing the home’s expenses to climb. The employees primarily had back or shoulder injuries caused by lifting, turning or bending over the wrong way while on the job.

Woodland has a low turnover rate and aging employee base.