1. Safety Guidelines and Regulations

2. Safety Guidelines and Regulations
Lessons 1. Basic Guidelines Go 2. Greeting and Identifying Go 3. Government Regulations Go 4. Reporting Safety Hazards Go
TABLE OF CONTENTS

3. Lesson 1– 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
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.

4. Lesson 1– 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.
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.

5. Lesson 1– Biohazardous Materials
Materials marked with this symbol may be contaminated or contain infectious pathogens.
Biohazardous Materials: Materials marked with this symbol may be contaminated or contain infectious pathogens.

6. Lesson 1– Radiation
This symbol is found around radiation treatment areas and near X-ray facilities.
Radiation: This symbol is found around radiation treatment areas and near X-ray facilities.

7. Lesson 1– Lockout Tag
These tags are used on damaged or dangerous equipment.
Lockout Tag: These tags are used on damaged or dangerous equipment.

8. Lesson 1– 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.
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.

9. Lesson 1– Protective Equipment Required
These signs indicate which type of protective equipment must worn when entering a specific area.
Protective Equipment Required: These signs indicate which type of protective equipment must worn when entering a specific area.

10. Lesson 1– Isolation
Areas marked with the isolation sign are highly contaminated and should only be entered by trained individuals who are wearing proper protective equipment.
Isolation: Areas marked with the isolation sign are highly contaminated and should only be entered by trained individuals who are wearing proper protective equipment.

11. Lesson 1– 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
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.

12. Lesson 1– 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.
All safety violations that occur must be reported immediately to the supervisor
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.

13. Lesson 2– 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.
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.

14. Lesson 3– Government Agencies
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces safety standards in the workplace to protect employees from injury and illness.
The goal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting and advancing public health.
Government Agencies
Several government agencies have been created to regulate health standards in the workplace and in health care facilities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a government agency that enforces safety standards in the workplace to protect employees from injury and illness. OSHA is also responsible for creating safety standards that apply specifically to health care facilities.
The goal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment. They also enforce specific regulations in health care, including proper disposal of biohazardous waste.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting and advancing public health. One way they do this is by regulating the safety of food and drug products that are sold to the public.

15. Reflection Questions
1. Look around the classroom. In what ways is it ergonomically correct? In what ways is it ergonomically incorrect?
2. Name several common fire hazards and what can be done to correct them.
3. Why is it important for government agencies to create standard rules that all health care facilities must follow?
References and Resources
Many times when accidents or incidents happen, it becomes necessary to consult an expert for information. The Poison Control Center, the Center for Disease Control, and OSHA all have telephone hotlines. These phone numbers should be posted in the facility.
Poison Control Center
American Association of Poison Control Centers:
Many states have Poison Control Centers that are state-operated or locally-operated. Consult the phonebook or internet.
Center for Disease Control
National AIDS Hotline:
National Immunization Hotline:
National STD Hotline:
Traveler’s Health:
Other questions:
OSHA
Workplace safety and health-related questions: OSHA