Safety in the Workplace

Safety Introduction Definition: freedom from danger, risks, and injury

Safety Concerns in Health Care List areas of Safety Concern that would be associated with a career in Health Care.

Safety Concerns in Health Care Ergonomics Hazards (Heavy Lifting and repetitive tasks) – musculoskeletal disorders WHMIS – chemicals, hazardous medications (chemotherapy drugs) Infection Control (exposure to Biological Hazards – blood, vomit, urine, etc.) Violence in the Workplace Fire and Safety Training Slips, Trips and Falls Latex Allergy Needle stick Injuries Respiratory Hazards Radioactive material and X-ray hazards

Group Activity In your groups, think about five rules or guidelines to prevent accidents and place them into the appropriate category: Physical environment and equipment Hazardous chemicals Client care

Physical Environment & Equipment Instructions for the equipment available; knowing how to properly use the equipment Well functioning and clean, sterile, operable equipment; report items that are broken or unsafe Security doors Keep floor dry and clutter free (minimize clutter) Identified fire exits; keep safety equipment accessible Preparedness plan (codes) Hand sanitizers strategically placed; proper sterilization of equipment Keeping proper spacing of equipment Minimize horseplay Report suspicious activity

Hazardous Chemicals Proper disposal of needles Proper storage Security over chemicals Wear PPE (personal protective equipment – gloves,etc.) Proper labelling Proper ventilation Proper disposal Sterile clean surfaces Be knowledgeable about the chemicals you are working with

Client Care Buzzers Proper attire First aid Updated client charts and records (identify the underlying factors affecting the patient) Minimizing exposure to allergens Patient confidentiality; be polite and empathetic Give proper care and attention Don’t rush Get help if needed Patients are priority

Responsibilities of the Employer Training and Education must be offered to all workers Safe working environment each accident needs to be documented and reviewed to help prevent others Accidents can be divided into three categories: Accidents related to the physical environment and equipment Accidents related to hazardous chemicals Accidents related to client care

Responsibilities of the Health Care Employee health care workers are responsible for their own and their patients’ safety Use equipment properly need to report any unsafe practices need to know how to respond if an emergency occurs health care professionals are taught methods to avoid accidents (proactive approach)

Governing Agencies Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHC) – Federal promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing information and advice about occupational health and safety Ministry of Labour – Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) – Provincial responsible for setting, communicating and enforcing OHS laws that are designed to reduce or eliminate workplace injury or illness Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) – Provincial oversees Ontario's workplace safety education and training system, provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care, and assists in early and safe return to work

Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation in Canada outlines the general rights and responsibilities of the employer, the supervisor and the worker There is special "right-to-know" legislation that applies to hazardous products it comprises several pieces of legislation collectively called WHMIS - the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

WHMIS WHMIS applies in all Canadian workplaces where WHMIS- controlled products are used. WHMIS uses classifications to group chemicals with similar properties or hazards Highlighted by: Effective labelling of chemicals Employee training Specific symbols to help people identify the hazard Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) – highlights key information for all chemicals that an employee may come in contact with

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in Canada, every material that is controlled by WHMIS must have an accompanying MSDS an MSDS is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product