Workplace Conditions
- Review and Understand Storage and Housekeeping Regulations
Site Conditions and Storage
As an employer, you need to ensure site safety by following proper storage and housekeeping practices. The following section outlines the regulatory requirements to keep your staff safe.
Site Conditions
Review the following to ensure your site conditions meet regulatory requirements:
Eating Area Requirements
Employers must provide a clean, safe space for staff to store and eat food. This must be separated from areas with potential contamination risks. The eating area should be physically separated from any source of contamination, such as labs, exam rooms, or other spaces with biological hazards. WorkSafeBC recommends this space ideally be at least 5.6m² in size.
Washroom Requirements
Employers must make sure there are enough washrooms for workers. It’s okay for staff to share a washroom with the public as long as the washrooms are clean, well-stocked, and working properly.
Stairway Requirements
Stairways with more than four steps and a width greater than 112 cm (44 in) must have continuous handrails on both sides.
Air Quality
The employer must ensure clean air in the workplace and investigate reports of poor air quality in the workplace. They also must investigate air quality whenever occupancy levels change significantly or when renovations affect the ventilation system.
One way to ensure clean air is to have a regular maintenance plan for the ventilation system. This is usually managed by whoever owns the ventilation system, such as the building owner or manager. This plan must include routine inspection, cleaning, repair, and safe operation of the system to prevent air quality issues.
Asbestos and Lead Exposures Before Renovations
Buildings constructed pre-1990 may have been built with materials that contain asbestos or unsafe levels of lead. When they are renovated or demolished, there’s a chance workers could be exposed to asbestos or lead. Therefore, a formal risk assessment is required to be performed by a qualified and certified asbestos abatement contractor approved by WorkSafeBC before any renovation or demolition is started. If asbestos and/or lead are found during the assessment, an exposure control plan must be created by the professional and shared with your clinic’s staff.
Review and Understand Storage and Housekeeping Regulations
Review the following info sheet to ensure that your storage and housekeeping practices meet regulatory requirements:
Biological Hazards Storage Requirements
Biohazards include any materials contaminated with biological agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses) or toxins. These may cause adverse health effects (e.g., clinical specimens and used sharps). Biological hazards (biohazards) must be stored in a designated, clearly marked area. This area must be well-ventilated, well-lit, and separated from occupied spaces such as lunchrooms or change rooms.
Chemical Hazards Storage Requirements
Chemical hazards are chemical agents that can cause adverse health effects, such as eye or skin irritation (e.g., cleaning and disinfecting).
Chemical hazards must be stored according to their Safety Data Sheet (SDS) instructions. They should generally be kept in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. They need to be kept away from electrical panels, HVAC systems, and hot water tanks.
Pressurized Cylinder Storage Requirements
Pressurized cylinders, such as those with oxygen or liquid nitrogen, need protection. Keep them away from sparks, flames, and excessive heat, and avoid physical damage.
They must also be secured, using trolleys, wall-mounted chains, or straps, to prevent them from falling or rolling. For more information, refer to the Safe Work Practice for Handling Liquid Nitrogen and Compressed Gases in Medical Clinics here.
Slipping and Tripping Hazards
Employers must ensure all floors and stairs are maintained in good condition and kept free of slipping and tripping hazards.
- Clean up spills immediately or mark the area with a “wet floor” sign to warn others.
- Inspect flooring regularly, especially in high-traffic areas, to ensure it remains flat and free of trip hazards.
- Keep passageways clear of boxes and loose items.
- Replace or repair any damaged carpeting.
- Mark areas where there are unexpected changes in the flooring levels with high-visibility tape to prevent tripping
Storing Requirements to Prevent Accidents
Anything that could fall and potentially injure a worker should be secured. Store supplies in cabinets, supply rooms, or low-level shelving instead of high closet shelves. Place heavy items at the bottom of shelves. Make sure that sharps bins are secured to prevent them from tipping over.
Electrical Equipment Safety Requirements
Passageways around electrical equipment must remain clear. Ensure this equipment can be accessed quickly, especially in emergencies such as a short circuit or fire. Do not place boxes or tables in front of the electrical panel. Keep flammable materials away from electrical equipment. This includes alcohol-based chemicals, organic solvents (e.g., paint), or batteries.
Emergency Exit Requirements
Exit doors must be clearly identified, and the routes leading to them must be kept free of obstruction at all times. Do not place boxes, bicycles, or any other items on exit pathways that could block evacuation. Ensure that exit doors are easily openable from the inside without staff needing to use a special tool or knowledge (e.g., do not keep them locked with a padlock that requires a key).
