Professionals in Health Health and Safety Regulations

Fire Prevention and Safety IDENTIFY HAZARDS  frayed or broken cords  oxygen in use  spontaneous ignition  defects in heating system  oily rags or paper

#1 Cause of Fires in the Health Care Setting Cigarettes

Fire Placards POSTED IN ROOMS WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS  White=oxidizer or corrosive  Red=fire combustible  Blue=health danger  yellow=fire reactivity  #s; 1-4=hazard level 4 is the highest

Elements of a Fire Fuel - material that will burn Heat - flame or sparks Oxygen - in the air we breath

Know the Floor Plan of Your Area Fire alarms Fire extinguishers Fire exits Emergency plan Practice fire drills

RACE Fire System R = R emove all patients in the immediate vicinity A = A ctivate the alarm and notify staff C = C ontain the fire and smoke E = E xtinguish the fire if it is small

Fire Extinguishers When to use Types How to use

Weather Alerts Tornado Watch Tornado Warning Seek shelter on lower levels Keep away from windows Follow institutional evacuation procedures

Other Emergencies Electrical Outages Injuries

Agencies Regulating the Health Work Environment CDC- Center for Disease Control  Agency of the Public Health Service and part of the USDHHS  Purpose is to protect the public by administering national programs for the prevention and control of disease  Develops immunization services and programs

OSHA Legislation  Created in 1970  Purpose is to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthy working conditions and to preserve our human resources.

OSHA’s Purpose Encourage the reduction of work place hazards and to implement new or improve existing safety and health programs. Provide research to develop ways of dealing with occupational safety

OSHA’s Purpose continued Establish separate but dependent responsibilities and rights for employers and employees Maintain a reporting and record keeping system

OSHA’s Purpose continued Establish training programs Develop mandatory job safety and health standards and enforcement of such Provide for state safety and health programs

Record Keeping and Reporting OSHA provides the basis for consistent, nationwide procedures for reporting Employers of 11 or more employees must maintain records

Occupational Injury Any injury such as a cut, fracture, sprain or amputation that results from a work related accident or from exposure involving a single incident in the work environment

Occupational Illness Any abnormal condition or disorder, other than one resulting from an occupational injury, caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment. Included are acute and chronic illnesses or diseases that may be caused by inhalation, absorption, ingestion or direct contact with toxic substances or harmful agents

Reporting of Occupational Injuries Death - regardless of time between injury and death One or more lost workdays Restriction of work or motion Loss of consciousness Transfer to another job Medical treatment other than 1st aid

Employer Responsibilities Be familiar with OSHA standards and make copies available to employees Provide a work place free from recognized hazards Minimize or reduce hazards Use proper labeling when needed Assure safe tools and equipment Establish, update and communicate operating procedures Examine work place conditions to assure they conform to standards

Employer Responsibilities continued Inform all employees about OSHA Post the OSHA poster at a prominent place Provide medical exams when required Keep OSHA required records of work related injuries and illnesses Report fatalities within 48 hours Provide access to the Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Employer Responsibilities continued Cooperate with OSHA inspections Not discriminate against employees who exercise their rights Post OSHA citations at or near the work site involved Abate cited violations

Employee Rights and Responsibilities Read the OSHA poster Comply with standards Follow rules and regulations Report hazards to supervisor Report injuries or illnesses to the employer Exercise rights in a responsible manner Cooperate with OSHA at inspections

Examples of Regulations MSDS-Material Safety Data Sheets  pertains to chemicals in the work place  sheets are obtained from manufacture  must be accessible to employees Bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan

General Safety Procedures Report unsafe conditions  walkway hazards  loose or broken floor tile, loose star treads  broken glass  defective handrails  biohazards  securing garbage

General Safety Procedures continued Wipe up spills and pick up things on the floor Keep waste baskets emptied Label containers Walk Use caution when passing through swinging doors Report injuries Use good body mechanics

Precautions with Electrical Appliances Don’t overload outlets Use proper cord Don’t place liquid on top of equipment Report missing plates Never plug in equipment near water Keep cords away from high traffic areas

Oxygen Precautions Post “Oxygen in Use” signs No smoking near oxygen