The healthcare industry has one of the highest rates of work-related injuries and illnesses, and it continues to rise due to increased hospital visits and close contact with people and substances. Healthcare workers in all areas must be protected, including hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, school nursing offices, nursing homes, and in home healthcare settings. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers must be determined by first performing a complete workplace hazard assessment that identifies hazard exposures for workers.
Healthcare workers have exposure to a litany of harmful agents while caring for patients and performing other tasks. Common hazards faced by these hardworking lifesavers include:
OSHA requires employers to provide a workplace for healthcare workers free of recognized, serious hazards. This includes implementing engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE to protect these workers from infectious diseases, harmful gases and chemicals, and dangerous or faulty equipment or processes.
Engineering controls, such as proper ventilation, and administrative controls, such as work procedures and handwashing protocols, are popular protection methods in healthcare. Routinely pre-cleaning surfaces before applying an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant to frequently touched surfaces or objects for appropriate contact times are essential administrative safety controls. However, when those methods don’t provide adequate protection, PPE is required to fill the gaps and ensure workers’ safety and health.
The correct PPE is chosen based on the likelihood and risk level of exposures, as well as the frequency of exposures. Feasibility is also a factor, and PPE must not create a greater hazard to the worker. PPE for healthcare workers may include any combination of protective head coverings, safety glasses or goggles, face shields, respiratory protection (or masks), gowns, gloves, aprons, protective sleeves, and shoe coverings. Healthcare workers must use proper PPE when exposed to patients with suspected or confirmed illnesses and when handling chemicals, gases, or other contaminants.
While PPE regulations are found at 29 CFR 1910 Subparts I and Z, for “guidance” on hazard assessment and PPE selection, visit Appendix B to Subpart I of 29 CFR 1910.