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Body Mechanics Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others. Body mechanics uses proper body alignment, balance, and movement to increase muscle productivity. <LS.HS.Safety.Mechanics.Worker-P01-01.jpg> Body Mechanics Careers in health care are physically demanding. Health care workers are often required to lift, carry, pull, or push objects and patients. If health care workers do not use their bodies correctly, their muscles will not be productive and the chance of injury increases. For this reason, it is important for all health care workers to learn the principles of body mechanics. Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others. Body mechanics uses proper body alignment, balance, and movement to increase muscle productivity.

Benefits of Body Mechanics Muscles are most productive when they are used correctly. The acts of lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing become easier with proper body mechanics. Using body mechanics saves energy and increases a worker’s efficiency. Muscles that are used correctly are less likely to become injured. <LS.HS.Safety.Mechanics.Worker-P02-01.jpg> Benefits of Body Mechanics Body mechanics provides many benefits for health care workers. Muscles are most productive when they are used correctly. The acts of lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing become easier with proper body mechanics. Using body mechanics also saves energy and increases a worker’s efficiency. Most importantly, correctly used muscles are less likely to become injured. Injuries resulting from improper muscle usage include muscle strains and sprains, fatigue, disc strain, disc bulge, and disc herniation. Injury to the back is the most common injury experienced by health care workers. Back injury can be avoided by applying the simple principles of body mechanics.

Body Mechanics for Patients Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others. Not only is it important for health care workers to use correct body mechanics in their own motions, but they must also help patients use these principles. <LS.HS.Safety.Mechanics.Patient-P01-01.jpg> Body Mechanics for Patients Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others. Not only is it important for health care workers to use correct body mechanics in their own motions, but they must also help patients use these principles.

Rehabilitation and Geriatrics Principles of body mechanics are especially useful for patients in rehabilitation and geriatric patients who must adapt to physical limitations. Therapists often teach patients how to use specialized equipment to help maintain proper body mechanics in daily living. <LS.HS.Safety.Mechanics.Patient-P02-01.jpg> Rehabilitation and Geriatrics One important way health care workers can assist patients with body mechanics is by teaching the proper principles of movement. These principles are especially useful for patients in rehabilitation and geriatric patients who must adapt to physical limitations. Physical therapists and occupational therapists spend many hours teaching patients how to perform activities of daily living, such as dressing and bathing, by using correct body mechanics. Additionally, therapists often teach patients how to use specialized equipment to help maintain proper body mechanics in daily living. Examples include walkers, canes, wheelchairs, crutches, and hydraulic lifts.

Patient Transfers Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others. Patient transfers are an aspect of body mechanics. When a patient is transferred from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a bed, proper techniques must be followed to prevent injury. <LS.HS.Safety.Mechanics.Transfer-P01-01.jpg> Patient Transfers Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others. Health care workers must learn proper techniques of lifting, moving, pushing, and pulling to prevent injury to themselves. They must also assist patients with proper body mechanics by aligning their bodies correctly in bed. Patient transfers are another aspect of body mechanics. When a patient is transferred from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a bed, proper techniques must be followed to prevent injury.

Know the Facility Health care workers are responsible for learning the specific safety procedures at their facility. One of the most important guidelines is to know the surroundings. Location of exits, stairways, and elevators Location of fire alarms and fire extinguishers Emergency codes <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P01-01.jpg> Know the Facility Every health care facility is different. Health care workers are responsible for learning the specific safety procedures at their facility. But there are basic guidelines that all workers can follow to maintain a safe environment for themselves, their co-workers, and their patients. One of the most important guidelines is to know the surroundings. All workers should know where the exits, stairways, and elevators are located. They should know where fire alarms and fire extinguishers can be found, and they must know how to use them. Also, they must know how to respond to emergency codes. For example, most hospitals use the term “Code Blue” for an adult medical emergency and “Code Red” for a fire emergency.

Safety Signs and Symbols Reading a symbol is faster than reading words on a sign. Many health care symbols are universal. They can be understood by people of many different languages. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P03-01.jpg> Safety Signs and Symbols Symbols are often used in health care facilities. Reading a symbol is faster than reading words on a sign. Also, many health care symbols are universal. They can be understood by people of many different languages.

Biohazardous Materials Materials marked with this symbol may be contaminated or contain infectious pathogens. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P04-02.jpg> Biohazardous Materials: Materials marked with this symbol may be contaminated or contain infectious pathogens.

Radiation This symbol is found around radiation treatment areas and near X-ray facilities. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P04-03.jpg> Radiation: This symbol is found around radiation treatment areas and near X-ray facilities.

Lockout Tag These tags are used on damaged or dangerous equipment. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P04-04.jpg> Lockout Tag: These tags are used on damaged or dangerous equipment.

Oxygen in Use This sign indicates an area in which compressed oxygen is being used. No smoking or open flames should be present in these areas. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P04-05.jpg> Oxygen in Use: This sign indicates an area in which compressed oxygen is being used. No smoking or open flames should be present in these areas.

Protective Equipment Required These signs indicate which type of protective equipment must worn when entering a specific area. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P04-06.jpg> Protective Equipment Required: These signs indicate which type of protective equipment must worn when entering a specific area.

Isolation Areas marked with the isolation sign are highly contaminated and should only be entered by trained individuals who are wearing proper protective equipment. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Facility-P04-07.jpg> Isolation: Areas marked with the isolation sign are highly contaminated and should only be entered by trained individuals who are wearing proper protective equipment.

Ergonomics Ergonomics is the study of promoting the safety and comfort of a person by adapting the environment. Ergonomics is concerned with how the design of a facility affects a person’s well-being. Examples: Comfortable temperature Pleasant odor Moderate noise level Handicap accessible <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Ergonomics-P01-01.jpg> Ergonomics Ergonomics is the study of promoting the safety and comfort of a person by adapting the environment. In other words, ergonomics is concerned with how the design of a facility affects a person’s well-being. Principles of ergonomics must be applied by all health care workers. There are many aspects of ergonomics, such as making arrangements for individuals who are physically disabled, controlling temperature and odor, and keeping noise at a moderate level. Another aspect of ergonomics includes choosing décor that is bright and fresh. The key to ergonomics is to create an environment that cares for a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In a health care facility, workers must make sure that furniture and equipment are placed in positions that do not obstruct a patient’s pathway. Hallways and walkways must be kept clear of clutter. The floor plan must accommodate high traffic areas, small children, and wheelchairs. Also, exits, stairways, and elevators must be labeled and well lit.

Good Housekeeping Every health care worker can contribute to a sanitary environment. Clean up spills immediately. Mark wet areas with caution signs or cones. Give daily attention to high traffic areas. <LS.HS.Safety.Basic.Housekeeping-P01-01.jpg> Good Housekeeping Good housekeeping is a basic safety practice. Most medical facilities hire a housekeeping staff to clean. However, every health care worker can contribute to a sanitary environment. Spills and splatters must be cleaned up immediately, and the wet area should be marked with caution cones or signs. Daily attention should be given to high traffic areas and frequently used devices, such as doorknobs, water fountains, public restrooms, hallways, trash cans, and telephones.

Chemical Safety Employees must be made aware of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Material safety data sheets (MSDS’s) contain information about the proper use of chemicals. They also contain a list of safety precautions related to those chemicals. <LS.HS.Safety.Chemical.MSDS-P01-01.jpg> Chemical Safety The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency that enforces safety standards in the workplace. One of these standards is called the Hazard Communication Standard. This standard states that employees must be made aware of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace. As a result of this standard, facilities are required to keep a material safety data sheet for every chemical in the facility. Material safety data sheets (MSDS’s) contain information about the proper use of chemicals. They also contain a list of safety precautions related to those chemicals. MSDS’s must be made available to all employees.

Material Safety Data Sheets Product identification Physical and chemical characteristics Potential physical hazards Potential health hazards Exposure limit Whether any of the ingredients have been placed on a hazardous chemical list Safety precautions for handling the chemical Emergency and first aid procedures related to physical contact with the chemical <LS.HS.Safety.Chemical.MSDS-P02-01.jpg> Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS’s are required by OSHA to contain the following information: Product identification, including chemical name, common name, and the name and address of the product manufacturer Physical and chemical characteristics of the hazardous chemicals Potential physical hazards, including fire, explosion, and reactivity Potential health hazards, including signs and symptoms of overexposure to the chemical, and medical conditions which may be aggravated by the chemical Exposure limit Whether any of the ingredients have been placed on a hazardous chemical list Safety precautions for handling the chemical, including appropriate equipment, hygienic practices, and procedures for spills and disposal Emergency and first aid procedures related to physical contact with the chemical

Purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets Before health care workers use chemicals, they must read the information on the MSDS. If the chemical spills or comes in contact with skin, health care workers should consult the MSDS before attempting to clean it up. <LS.HS.Safety.Chemical.MSDS-P04-01.jpg> Purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets When health care workers use chemicals, they must read the information on the MSDS. If the chemical spills or comes in contact with skin, health care workers should consult the MSDS before attempting to clean it up. By reading the MSDS, health care workers can avoid injury to themselves and to others.

Handling Chemicals Never use a product that does not have a label. Never use a product that is expired. Read a label at least three times before using a product. Do not mix solutions or chemicals. Wear proper safety equipment, such as gloves, aprons, and protective eyewear. Know the procedure for reporting a spill or accident. Use chemicals only as directed. <LS.HS.Safety.Chemical.Handle-P01-01.jpg> Handling Chemicals In addition to reading the MSDS, there are several other safety guidelines that should be practiced when working with chemical solutions. Never use a product that does not have a label. Never use a product that is expired. Read a label at least three times before using a product. Do not mix solutions or chemicals. Wear proper safety equipment, such as gloves, aprons, and protective eyewear. Know the procedure for reporting a spill or accident. Use chemicals only as directed.