|
Step
2: Other Hazards at Health Care Facilities |
In addition to the hazards addressed in step 1, there are a number of other
potential safety and health hazards at health care facilities. The following provides links to OSHA
compliance assistance resources for some of these hazards.
- Ergonomic hazards. Some of the major ergonomic stressors at health care facilities include
lifting and repositioning patients and lifting materials.
- Workplace violence. Health care workers face a significant risk of job-related violence. OSHA
encourages employers to establish violence prevention programs and to track their progress in
reducing work-related assaults.
- Slips, Trips, and Falls. Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes
of injuries in health care facilities.
- Influenza.
- Read an OSHA QuickCard: Protecting Yourself: Avian Flu – Health Care Workers [PDF
- 28 KB]
- Review OSHA guidance
- Tuberculosis.
- Emergency response hazards
- Chemical hazards. Health care employees may be exposed to a variety of
chemicals on the job. The following provides information on how to prevent or reduce exposure to some
of these chemicals.
- Beryllium
- Ethylene oxide
- Formaldehyde
- Glutaraldehyde
- Hazardous chemicals in laboratories.
- Hazardous drugs
- Mercury
- Waste anesthetic gases
- Other hazards.
- Compressed gas
- Laser hazards
- Review a Safety and Health Information Bulletin:
- Learn more
- Latex allergy
For more information on workplace safety and health hazards in health care facilities, see
OSHA
Safety and Health Topics Page: Healthcare Facilities.
|
Go
to Step 3 »
|
|
|
Accessibility Assistance: Some documents on this page are available
as text-enabled PDF files. If additional assistance is needed in reading/reviewing these documents, please contact
the Office of Outreach Services and Alliances at 202-693-2340.
|