InstituteSpecialized IndustriesSafety & HealthGeneral Industry SafetySpecialized IndustriesEnglishHealthcareAnalysisFocus AreaCompliance and Exceptions (Level 2)USA
Healthcare
['Specialized Industries']
- Numerous health and safety issues may be associated with healthcare facilities, including biological, chemical, psychological, physical, and environmental hazards.
Healthcare facilities include hospitals, clinics, dental offices, outpatient surgery centers, birthing centers, and nursing homes. In addition to the medical staff, large healthcare facilities employ a variety of trades that have health and safety hazards associated with them. These include, but are not limited to, mechanical maintenance, medical equipment maintenance, housekeeping, food service, building and grounds maintenance, laundry, and administrative staff.
The table below outlines many of the hazards associated with healthcare facilities.
| Hazard category | Definition | Examples found in the healthcare environment |
|---|---|---|
| Biological | Infectious/biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, that may be transmitted by contact with infected patients or contaminated body secretions/fluids | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE), hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, tuberculosis, COVID-19, seasonal influenza |
| Chemical | Various forms of chemicals that are potentially toxic or irritating to the body system, including medications, solutions, and gases | Ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, waste anesthetic gases, hazardous drugs such as cytotoxic agents, pentamidine, ribavirin |
| Psychological | Factors and situations that create or increase stress, emotional strain or interpersonal problems | Stress, workplace violence, shiftwork, inadequate staffing, heavy workload |
| Physical | Agents within the work environment that can cause tissue trauma | Radiation, lasers, noise, electricity, extreme temperatures, workplace violence |
| Environmental, Mechanical/Bio-mechanical | Factors encountered in the work environment that cause accidents, injuries, strain, or discomfort | Tripping hazards, unsafe/unguarded equipment, air quality, slippery floors, confined spaces, cluttered or obstructed work areas/passageways, forceful exertions, awkward postures, localized contact stresses, vibration, temperature extremes, repetitive/prolonged motions or activities, lifting and moving patients |