New provincial measures are being put in place to help keep paramedics safe on the job.
The Ontario government is setting up a Paramedic Services Committee under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to develop resources that address the unique health and safety risks faced by EMS staff.
OHSA committees, formed under Section 21 of the Act, are made up of both employer and labour representatives, who provide the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development with technical expertise and sector-specific advice on health and safety issues, including recommending regulatory changes and actions on emerging issues.
“The paramedic unions (CUPE, SEIU, OPSEU & Unifor), OAPC and various stakeholders met for the first time in May 2008,” Ian Nash, CUPE Ambulance Committee of Ontario Health and Safety Representative said in a news release. “Since that day the committee has been very professional with dealing with the health and safety issues arising affecting our profession and developing guidance notes, and will continue this practice for years to come.”
Provincial officials say the new paramedic services committee will complement the existing first responder committees for fire and police services while providing a focused channel for recommendations from experts, employers, and workers.
