Lifting Objects/Patients | Back Injuries Hernias | Understand A&P of back, causes of back pain, preventive approaches, use of aids when lifting. Preventive measures when lifting and use aids when lifting. |
Slip/Trip/Falls | Contusions, Sprains, Strains | Avoid undue speed. Use handrails. Clean up spills immediately. |
Fires & Natural Disasters | Burns & All Types of Injuries | Recognize possible causes of fires. Smoking materials, faulty equipment. Employees should educate patients. Compressed gasses are flammable & under pressure so must be handled with care. Workers need to be familiar with disaster plans and know exit routes. |
Electrical Hazards | Shocks & Burns | Be aware of unsafe equipment and appliances. Complete electrical safety education and seek assistance if any unsafe areas are noted. |
Assaults | Minor Injury to Death | Employees need to be cognizant to potential dangers to ensure safety. Awareness of existing security measures and defensive behavior can protect employee from assaults. |
Needles & Sharps | Cuts, Punctures, Lacerations | Sharps should be discarded in designated containers. Employees should exam & handle soiled linens & similar items as if they contained hazardous items. |
Obstacles & Broken Objects | Abrasions, Contusions, and Lacerations | Arrange furniture to allow free movement about the room. Keep doors & drawers closed when not in use. Clean/discard broken objects properly (i.e. broken glass should be swept up - not picked up with fingers). |
Possible Exposures to Infections Hepatitis/Tuberculosis/Cytomegalovirus/Varicella/AIDS/Herpes/Staph Infections, Lice/Scabies/Rubeola | Infection | Use Infection Control procedures as defined in Infection Control manual. These include hand washing, protective clothing, knowing the risks. Label linens and wastes properly. |
Possible exposure to acids & other chemicals used within the hospital | Refer to MSDS's | Employees should follow procedures as explained in their department Hazardous Material training and refer to MSDS's before using/handling any chemical. Follow procedures and do not use any chemical without proper labeling. |
Latex | Dermatitis to death | Alert supervisor if you feel that you are allergic to latex materials. Use non-latex gloves for sterile procedures. |
Soaps, Detergents, Cleaning Solutions | Dermatitis | Follow Departmental procedures. Protective clothing is available if Dept. is unable to substitute agents that do not cause dermatitis. |
Ergonomic Problems | Wide Variety of Musculoskeletal nervous disorders | Body mechanics, positioning of equipment/furniture, and repetitive actions can cause employees to experience a variety of physical problems. Employees should follow safe body mechanics as described in hospital education. Employees are encouraged to seek assistance from their supervisor if they feel a task is causing them to experience physical problems. Work site evaluation may be indicated and this should be discussed with manager. |
Possible Chemical Exposure | Refer to MSDS's | Employees work with a variety of chemicals within the lab setting. Employees receive training upon hire and also are expected to review the Chemical Safety Plan yearly. Employees are expected to follow safe working procedures as instructed. |
Possible Exposure to Radiation | Sterility, Cancer, Shortened Life Expectancy | When appropriate, employees should wear film badges (they are monitored routinely) and use lead aprons, gloves, or shields. Identify and appropriately manage radiation therapy patients and their secretions. |
Possible Exposure to Chemotherapeutic Agents | Refer to Hazardous Materials Binder | Employees should be aware of procedure for chemo spills. |
Exposure to Video Display Terminals | Eye strain & stress in addition to ergonomic complaints | It is unknown if significant visual dysfunction results from long-term use of VDT's. Problems may be controlled with control of lighting and glare, the color contrast, and workers should have adequately corrected vision. Employees should seek assistance from their supervisor if they feel VDT is causing problems for them. |
Possible exposure to patient medications during the course of their administration. Generally those drugs given by aerosol or in liquid/IV form present the greatest possibility of exposure because there may be exposure through skin/mucous membrane contact (ex. ganciclovir sodium) | Refer to MSDS’s | Employees should follow procedures as explained in their department’s Hazardous Material training and refer to MSDS’s before handling any drug with potential hazards. |
Exposure to Chemical Agents | Burns Irritations Burns & Irritations | Ammonia solution is frequently used as cleaning agent and the gas is used as a refrigerant. Gloves should be worn and other precautions as described in training and MSDS. Chlorine solutions are often used as disinfectants. Gloves should be worn and other precautions as described in training and MSDS. Drain cleaners are often used and splashing may occur. Protective clothing should be used and other precautions as described in training and MSDS. |
Exposure Microwave Radiation | Radiation Effects | Doors may not close completely due to: hinges & catches may loosen; spilled food; if interlock system fails. Regular maintenance is done but employees should report any problems & clean all spills. |
Possible Heat Stress | Weakness, Nausea, Dizziness | Employees need to be aware of symptoms and the need for water consumption. |
Possible injuries due to Improper Storage. Possible injuries due to working compressed and/or oxidizing gases. | All types of injuries | Employees should follow safety procedures of fuel & Cylinders of Oxidizing Gas as outlined in their department. |
Possible Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases | Refer to Drug Reference | Employees should be cognizant of hazards of anesthetic gases and follow procedures as outlined and trained in their department. |
Possible Falls | Contusions, Fractures | Employees often must use ladders and do some climbing as part of their job. Employees should never use ladders in need of repair. Employees should follow safety procedures as outlined in department. |
Potential Hazards from Office Work | Variety Musculoskeletal | Employees need to be cognizant of potential dangers to ensure safety. Each Department provides office safety classes to alert employees to potential dangers. |