Abstract
This article describes a study carried out to obtain information about occupational health and safety programs in Ontario hospitals. This information will then be used to plan further research studies. The questionnaire collected information about staffing, reporting structure, program components, and benchmarks used for evaluation. The questionnaire was mailed to 58 hospitals across the province and 81 percent (47 hospitals) responded. Results showed that occupational health and safety programs usually had a safety manager, a safety officer, a nurse, and clerical support on staff. Approximately half of the programs reported to human resources. Program components least likely to be present were stress management, modified work, and health promotion. Having an occupational hygienist or a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or ergonomist on staff did not increase the number of programs pertinent to their fields of work. This pilot study has provided a base from which to build knowledge of hospital health and safety programs.