WorkSafeNB - Health and Safety Champion Award

Joanne Hardy

Joanne Hardy is the recreation director at Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home in Miramichi, and has been an employee there since 1982.

A champion for staff education, she was a key driver for the proper implementation of the safe resident transfer system Back in Form (formerly Back in Action), to reduce staff injuries due to strains from improper body mechanics and movement when caring for residents.

She not only provided training at Mount Saint Joseph, but extended the opportunity to others in the nursing home industry.

Joanne recognizes the other risks to nursing home staff and brought the U-First program and Non-violent Crisis intervention to Mount Saint Joseph to help staff deal with unpredictable behaviour shown by residents with dementia.

In addition to educating and training nursing home staff, she has actively participated on the joint health and safety committee, and is an acting safety officer and accident investigator.

Her nominating co-worker wrote:

“Joanne is very conscious of the importance of workplace safety and demonstrates the belief that safety is everyone's business by making herself available to managers and co-workers to address any concerns.

“She implements teaching moments in her everyday interactions with staff and also with our stakeholders.

“Joanne’s engaging personality, enthusiasm for education, and her caring attitude for the welfare of others has done much to enhance the safety culture at Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home.”