Health and Safety Archives - Ontario Council of Hospital Unions

Face masks to prevent transmission of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Jun 29, 2021

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of the use of masks to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This study demonstrated the protective effects of masks against COVID-19 infection on HCWs and other...

How delays in acknowledging airborne COVID-19 transmission risked lives

Jun 17, 2021

Covid-19: Wider use of FFP3 masks may be needed because of airborne transmission, say scientific advisers

Apr 27, 2021

Staff caring for patients with suspected or confirmed covid-19 may need higher grade protective masks—such as FFP3 masks—to protect them from contracting covid-19 through the air, according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

International Researchers Call for an End to the Sacrifice of Health Care Workers

Apr 25, 2021

Joint-Statement-April-25Download

Navigating Attacks Against Health Care Workers in the COVID-19 Era

Apr 22, 2021

A week and a half after Chicago’s COVID-19 lockdown began in 2020, a nurse on a bus ride home from her hospital shift felt the brunt of the pandemic. But it didn’t come in the form of treating an onslaught of patients with...

OCHU-CUPE, SEIU, OPSEU write Chief Medical Officer of Health demanding tougher protection for health care workers

Apr 16, 2021

Download the letter

Ten scientific reasons in support of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Apr 16, 2021

Heneghan and colleagues’ systematic review, funded by WHO, published in March, 2021, as a preprint, states: “The lack of recoverable viral culture samples of SARS-CoV-2 prevents firm conclusions to be drawn about airborne transmission”. This conclusion, and the wide circulation of the review’s findings, is concerning because of the public health implications.

Characterization and evolution of infection control practices among SARS-CoV-2 infected healthcare workers of acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities in Quebec

Apr 16, 2021

Quebec HCWs and their families were severely affected during the first wave of COVID-19. Insufficient pandemic preparedness and suboptimal IPC practices likely contributed to high transmission in both LTCFs and ACHs.

Respect Us, Protect Us, Pay Us.

Mar 7, 2021

On March 8, CUPE, SEIU, and Unifor health and long-term care workers will launch their campaign to demand respect, protection, and adequate compensation for all health care workers: Respect Us, Protect Us, Pay Us.
We are asking CUPE health and long-term care locals to take photos of your members wearing the stickers and holding up the posters.

Healthcare workers launch International women’s Day actions with message to Premier Ford: “Respect Us. Protect Us. Pay Us.”

Mar 7, 2021

Unions representing 175,000 workers serving on the frontlines of this pandemic demand the Ford government support this female majority workforce

Prominent Scientists Call on CDC to Better Protect Workers From Covid

Feb 18, 2021

A prominent group of academics is pressing the Biden administration to move faster and take stronger action to protect high-risk workers from airborne exposure to the coronavirus, urging enforceable standards to help safeguard...