Despite the fact that they are not using forklifts or scaling buildings, medical staff confront their own set of hazards. After all, they are always dealing with diseases and germs. OSHA identified over 220,000 workplace-related injuries and disorders in this industry alone in 2019. There are several causes for these phenomena, many of which are relatively unknown to most people.
Medical office and hospital management and employees should be aware of the issues they face on a daily basis, as well as adequate preventative strategies. Even if they aren’t traveling to events like EMTs do, there is a lot that might put them in danger. More training may be required to prevent health issues. Enrolling in courses provided by an OSHA-compliant company, such as Hard Hat Training, is one of the simplest methods to do this.
Bloodborne Pathogens and Needles
Needle handling may be needed by employees in a variety of medical disciplines. When administering vaccines or taking blood from patients, needles must be handled with extraordinary caution. Workers who are injured by a discarded needle may experience more than just a swollen hand. Any illness contracted by the individual can be transmitted to them. Though less frequent, these dangers can be just as lethal as HIV.
All medical workers should be given the proper gloves and safety equipment to work with needles. Sharps disposal containers should also be easily accessible and clearly labeled as containing sharps. Used needles should never be thrown away in a regular trash can, especially since they might hurt anybody visiting the hospital.
Biohazards
Any medical environment can include biohazards. Aside from the previously stated blood, other examples include biological fluids and bodily tissue. Because many people seeking medical attention are ill or in poor health, these objects are likely to contain contaminated organisms.
Bacteria may be found in medical labs on a daily basis when samples are being evaluated. Workers must exercise extra caution when handling any container or slide since losing or breaking them open endangers not only their personal health but also the health of their coworkers.
Employees should be given masks and gloves to avoid inhaling any of the contaminated organisms. This might result in ailments that lure people to their jobs for improper reasons. As an added precaution, children should be taught how to utilize their safety equipment properly and reminded to wash their hands frequently.
Musculoskeletal System Injuries
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are defined as any damage to the tendons, muscles, or nerves. When working in environments such as nursing homes, nurses are more prone to MSD. Patients are frequently hoisted for tasks such as cleaning and bathing their bodies. They are also not doing so for a single patient. This is done several times each day for patients of various sizes.
Receptionists, for example, are vulnerable to MSD while not undertaking heavy lifting. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be induced by repetitive movements such as typing. People with insufficient seating have bad posture and back pain.
Businesses should employ ergonomic standards to improve worker comfort. Nurses, for example, who lift patients, should only work with patients who are strong enough to do so. Employees should also be taught proper lifting techniques.
Occupational Crimes and Harrassment
This is a risky site that is frequently overlooked yet all too common. Threats to actual attacks are examples of these assaults. Medical professionals are routinely attacked by patients and visitors. Coworker violence may occur in rare cases when tensions grow too high, or there are concerns about hierarchy.
However, dealing with this problem is considerably more challenging. Employers might start by implementing zero-tolerance policies. This means that anyone who engages in violence, whether an employee or a customer, will be dismissed and may suffer legal ramifications. OSHA also provides a number of suggestions to help companies create an appropriate violence prevention program.
Avoiding Workplace Problems
Although previous articles gave advice for medical workplaces to use to ensure the safety of their employees, there are a few more critical ways they may exhibit initiative.
Keep Adequate Personnel Levels
Understaffing is another key area for improvement in the healthcare profession. While this is not always possible, individuals who are expected to take on extra responsibilities or work longer hours risk being anxious, which can contribute to stress. Following safety requirements may become more difficult when stressed and weary. Businesses should use caution when developing timetables and ensuring staff have breaks.
Promote Communication
Because medical personnel is always on the go, it may be difficult to spot someone carrying potentially harmful objects, which might result in a disaster if another person fails to pay attention and runs into them. Workers may be able to warn others if they are traveling through a certain zone if phones or walkie-talkies are provided.
Businesses may encourage their staff to be more frank when dealing with an on-site crisis by implementing communication initiatives. This might be a tough patient, trouble understanding directions, or an early sign of back pain.
OSHA Training Courses
While OSHA guidelines are publicly available online, businesses must verify that their employees fully understand the laws and regulations. The only sure way to do this is to enroll them in OSHA safety training. There are several alternatives. They do, however, differ from those supplied by Hard Hat Training.
Many OSHA courses are created for specialist occupations such as construction or agriculture, while Hard Hat Training is intended to ensure safety in all areas. They acknowledge the importance of the medical field and offer a range of training to their staff, including HIPAA compliance training. Professionals deployed to the workplace can offer courses online or in person.
Participating in one of Hard Hat Training’s OSHA 30 Outreach courses may assist businesses in improving their safety awareness and employee accountability. They can enroll in a “Train the Trainer” course if they choose to be in charge of giving training to their personnel rather than depending on an online program. Hard Hat Training may provide them with a DIY kit with all of the required components and instructions.
The medical profession is vital for patient safety, but it must additionally be safe for its employees. With so many different responsibilities to complete at once, each employee should be well-trained. Visit the Hard Hat Training website today to learn more about the courses available for your healthcare organization.