Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Occupational Health & Safety”
COVID-19 has been with us for more than 18 months now and has taken a toll on workers in most sectors. While CUPE continues to encourage all workers who can become vaccinated to do so, we also recognize that this a decision that each individual member will make for themselves. On September 29, the Newfoundland and Labrador government announced that …
CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador is calling on the provincial government and employers to consult with unions – ahead of and throughout – the rollout of the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for public sector workers announced today. “Cooperation between the province and unions, and cooperation between employers and unions, will be necessary as the vaccine mandate is carried out,” says CUPE Newfoundland and Labrador President Sherry Hillier. CUPE will be monitoring the situation …
As an essential worker, when will I receive my first dose of the vaccine? When you receive your first dose will depend on your individual risk factors, not your occupation, unless you work directly with COVID-19 patients. Any concerns you may have about your eligibility to be included in a priority group, based on a health condition, should be discussed …
“The gravity of the situation calls for better protection against COVID-19 for [any] health care workers who work in an environment where they will be in close proximity to patients who have or may have the virus to wear N95 respirators or higher models with better protection that what is currently used,” says Sherry Hillier, president of CUPE Newfoundland Labrador. “The health …
Note: the information contained in this fact sheet is for general education and information purposes only. Proper selection of respiratory protection must be completed by a qualified individual who has performed a full hazard analysis of the worksite and tasks. Images are for demonstration purposes. CUPE does not make general endorsements or recommendations for any brand of personal protective equipment. Download a printable …
In a meeting held today with the Department of Health and Community Services, we were notified that regional health authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador recently discovered counterfeit N95 respirators in their inventory. Immediate steps were taken by the RHAs to remove the counterfeit masks and, at this time, only a small number are unaccounted for. In addition to CUPE, representatives …
CUPE NL is encouraged by news of the imminent arrival of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and the news that health care workers, particularly those in long term care or positions with potential for exposure to COVID-19. This is an important development for the health and safety of our members across the province. Our members providing front line health services have …
On November 24, 2020, a study entitled “Sacrificed: major study of health care workers during the time of COVID” was released by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions-Canadian Union of Public Employees (OCHU-CUPE). The study was published in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy. The research was done in collaboration with OCHU-CUPE, based on extensive interviews …
CUPE members across Newfoundland and Labrador are heavily involved in the work to make their workplaces safe and healthy and they face many challenges in advancing this agenda. Some employers are not cooperative and joint workplace health and safety committees can easily be dominated by the employer’s priorities. Education is the tool that can level the playing field and allows …
To all CUPE members in Newfoundland and Labrador: COVID-19 has created countless health and safety challenges for public sector workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. In this webinar we will explore the emergence of modern OH&S practices and how responding to COVID-19 is leading to a new series of health and safety challenges. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 7 PM Register …
