2020

On December 14, PCU-WHS hosted a virtual Convocation Ceremony for the awarding of the first Bachelor of Disability Management, a milestone both for the University and in the life of the very first graduating student.

Continue reading PCU-WHS hosts virtual Convocation Ceremony for first Bachelor of Disability Management program graduate

International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) is a United Nations-sanctioned day that is celebrated internationally on 3 December. IDPWD is just one day on the international calendar, yet it symbolizes the actions we should take every day, in order to create diverse and accepting communities. The intentions of IDPWD are to recognize and value the diversity of our global community; to understand and learn from the experiences of people with living with a disability; to look towards the future and the creation of a world where a person is not characterised by their disabilities, but by their abilities; and take on a commitment to create a world characterised by equal human rights.

“Having an effective disability management program ensures an inclusive work environment so that employees with disabilities can remain at work and contribute in productive way. The CSPDM supports a strengthened, professional work force that promotes strong disability management practices.  On International Day of People With Disabilities, we recognize and appreciate the contributions that our members make each and every day to minimize the socioeconomic impact of disabling injuries and illnesses on employees and employers” –  John Mutch, CSPDM Chair

According to the WHO World Report on Disability, 15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability. Of this number, it’s estimated 450 million are living with a mental or neurological condition—and two-thirds of these people will not seek professional medical help, largely due to stigma, discrimination and neglect. The 2020 IDPWD theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, disconnect, disrupted routines and diminished services have greatly impacted the lives and mental well-being of people with disabilities right around the world. Spreading awareness of invisible disabilities, as well as these potentially detrimental—and not always immediately apparent—impacts to mental health, is crucial as the world continues to fight against the virus.

In 2020, employers are focused on adjusting their work practices to comply with COVID-19 public health orders, and an unseen impact of the pandemic has been a decline in willingness to accommodate the return of an ill or injured worker. This further illustrates that people with disabilities are not offered consistent and sustainable support in the workplace. Now more than ever, we need to work together in identifying and addressing the marginalization, inaccessibility, exclusion and discrimination that many people living with disabilities face.

Source: https://idpwd.org/

With the recent sudden and untimely passing of Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC not only lost an extremely knowledgeable and committed Chair of its Board of Directors, but many lost a personal friend, and our country and the world has lost a foremost leader who made improving workplace health and safety a life-long priority, all the while leading his professional efforts through a very collaborative and personal engagement style which led to many lasting friendships.

In addition to all his tangible and lasting OS&H achievements, Ralph also thoroughly understood the value and importance of effective Return to Work and Disability Management programs, the positive impact that effective policies, programs and practices in these areas could have on the economic, social and psychological well-being of injured and disabled workers while at the same time reducing costs to employers and society at large. Ralph’s larger than life impact can perhaps be best explained through comments from a small cross section of the many individuals who made their voices heard.

To view the full Communiqué, please click on the following link:
More Information

A graduation event was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in early March at which 80 participants were honoured who achieved the Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and the Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) professional designations for this year, and including 38 who were re-certified. SOCSO, the social security organization of Malaysia, now has 143 CDMP and CRTWC practitioners.

Additionally, this year three individuals from local hospitals wrote and passed the examinations and four members of Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) Ketenagakerjaan from Indonesia also wrote and passed the examinations.

A launch of the Malay language version of the Book on Disability Management Module also took place at the graduation ceremony. This book, published in collaboration with the Social Wellbeing Research Centre at the Universiti Malaya, will be a source of reference for many, especially employers, hospitals and other public agencies. It is one of SOCSO’s initiatives to spearhead disability management by offering training and examinations to disability management practitioners from the Southeast Asian region in addition to those in Malaysia.

For further details and to view the graduation photos, please click on the following link to view the Communiqué. More Information

Every year since 1991, on April 28 we recognize workers who died as a result of a workplace injury and illness, through a wide range of events supported through unions, employers and governments.

As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the restriction on public events, we are recognizing and paying tribute to workers who died and/or became disabled through work related injuries/illnesses, virtually through video and online messages.

Beyond the Statistics

The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2018, 1,027 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada, an increase of 76 from the previous year. Among these deaths were 27 young workers aged 15-24.

Add to these fatalities the 264,438 accepted claims (an increase from 251,508 the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 33,058 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the workers compensation boards, there is no doubt that the total number of workers impacted is even greater.

And it’s not just these numbers on which we need to reflect. With each worker tragedy there are loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers who are directly affected, left behind, and deeply impacted – their lives also forever changed. (Source: Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety)

Every day, people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases – more than 2.78 million deaths per year or in excess of 7,600/day. Additionally, there are some 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries each year, resulting in more than 4 days of absences from work. ( Source: ILO )

The latest statistics on workplace fatalities and injuries from the AWCBC paints a very grim picture and should be concerning to all Canadians. In addition to the 1,027 fatalities, there were more than 260,000 injured on the job. Both these numbers are significant increases from the previous year. We also know that these numbers don’t reflect the reality of workplace death as there are many diseases that workers suffer from that are all too often not categorized as occupational in nature though they likely are.

“An often overlooked and tragic fact is that of those thousands of injured workers, about ten percent of them, will suffer a permanent condition of some sort. People with disabilities in Canada face many barriers with regard to employment and this just adds to a physical injury with mental health concerns and often social isolation.

Canadian workers deserve better and the United Steelworkers have made it a priority since our inception to fight for safer and healthier workplaces. We have fought for a place in society for those who have suffered life altering disabilities. On this Day of Mourning we reiterate our commitment to Mourn for the Dead and Fight for the Living.”

Ken Neumann, National Director, United Steelworkers
Labour Co-Chair, PCU-WHS/NIDMAR

For further information please visit:

Occupational Health and Safety News 2020

CCOHS