A hazard refers
to something with the potential cause of harm, which is usually used in the
context of suffering and pain to individuals. Hospital work can be surprisingly
hazardous as compared to other manufacturing or construction workplace. The hazards
are common in the hospital that causes significant psychological symptoms among
workers. The kinds of symptoms that are common among employer at hostel setting
are as following
• Psychological Symptoms (Panic attacks,
Somatization)
• Emotional Symptoms (Upset, Irritability,
Agitation)
• Behavioral Symptoms (Withdrawal, Escape,
Avoidance, Aggressive)
• Physiological Symptoms (Heart Rate, Rapid
Blood Pressure Fluctuation, Tensed Tense, Sweating).
Types of Hazard
The hazard has
been divided into three basic categories, i.e., physical hazards, chemical
hazards and fire hazards.
Physical hazards
Physical
hazards arise at the hospital due to the pressure of various forms of energy.
The most common
hazards are the following. The very first hazard is the prevailing level of
Continuous noise. The lower exposure and upper action value of 135 dB, to 137
dB if this is exceeded, the employer must obtain personal hearing protectors
for the employees and the patient. The excessive noise cause he irritability
and mood disturbance among employers that may lead to depression and mood
disorder after continuous exposure.
The second hazard at a hospital is draught,
which refers to an incoming air flow that is cooler than the room air. If the
air flow velocity exceeds 0.15-0.5 m/s, then it is considered to be dangerous
that leads to psychological disturbances. The third hazard is Ionizing
radiation, e.g., X-rays, gamma-rays and ultraviolet radiation, Exposure with
such radiation can cause cataracts in the eyes and sunburn inflammation. Laser
radiation bears a risk of causing injury to the eye or the skin. The physical
suffering not merely inhibits the work performance but also cause significant
distress among patients. There are many other types of physical hazard, e.g.,
infection, heat, lack of training, inadequate staffing, missing patient,
needle-stick/ acute injury, hot water, wet slippery surface, Bacteria, use of
clinical and non-clinical equipment and consumables. Moving and handling
inanimate loads taking blood, bathing vulnerable patients, moving and handling
patients. Exposure to any physical
hazard decreases the work performance of the employer because of anxieties,
fear, stress, and apprehension.
Chemical Hazard
The use of
chemicals in a hospital is widespread such as medical gases, cleaning agents,
laboratory chemicals, sterilizing agents, anesthetic agents, cytotoxic drugs
and pharmaceutical substances. The overdose or careless use of the chemical can
cause deadly results. Ethylene oxide leads to bodily harm if you inhale the
vapor. Isocyanates (a dangerous substance) found in orthopedic casting
materials also lead to death.
Pharmaceutical drugs such as psyllium, rifampin,
penicillin, and tetracycline, formaldehyde, used in specimen preparation, ammonia and chlorine, used in cleaning
solutions, such chemicals cause health issues, such as respiratory diseases and
skin irritation irritant and physiological (i.e. palpitation, coughing, blood
pressure & heartbeat) and or
behavioral symptoms as well such as avoidance and absence.
Fire Hazard
The primary
cause of fire hazard in hospitals is from smoking materials. Another common
cause fire hazard is a wrong use of equipment like split or cracked electrical
cords or plugs. The inadequate supervision on oxygen machine or gas compressor
is also a significant cause of hazard in hospital. Lack of knowledge or
information about the location of fire alarms and the operating system them can
cause an alarming situation.
Heating and cooking equipment also a major hazard
is the hospital setting. Exposure to the
threatening situation such as fire blast causes psychological symptoms on a
very high scale such as fear, frustration, and anxiety. Furthermore, somatic
complaints, phobia, and hypochondria found to be associated with the
threatening situation.
Identification of Hazard
Employer safety
and health have become a current matter of interest to government healthcare
professionals, and researchers throughout the world. Literature suggests that
in the recent decade, many studies have been conducted to assess the severity,
prevalence, and causes of an enormous variety hazard and prevention strategies
in hospitals. Hazard identification is the process of identifying all hazards
in the hospital. Hazard can be determined through observation, Material safety
data sheets, hazard, and risk survey, record analysis, safety audit,
regulations and best practices. Steps taken to overcome the risk are to focus
on preventing the reoccurrence of the similar hazard or safety incidents and
focus on improving the resilience. The main steps taken to reduce the risk of
hazard are listed below.
The first step
is to identify any hazards, for the said purpose a supervisor have to walk
around the workplace/hospital and look at what circumstances could cause harm,
beware the workers and staff to notice things that are not immediately obvious,
provide the safety data sheets or manufacturers’ instructions for chemicals or
dangerous equipment. The most common hazards include the unsafe use of chemicals,
unsafe manual handling tasks and the use of electrical equipment in wet areas,
prolonged exposure to a harmful substance, noise levels. The second step is to
evaluate the level of risk linked with each hazard. Such includes the severe
illness or injury; a risk assessment helps in determining the control measure
for the workers are at risk of exposure to a hazard. It also helps in
determining the factors causing that risk, and what sort of control measures
needed to be implemented and also test the effectiveness of available control
measures. The third step is to eradicate or control any hazard through control
measures. The following steps are helpful to reduce the risk of hazard e.eg.
Eliminate the hazard from the workplace, but if the hazard is difficult to
eliminate, replace or substitute the hazard with a minor hazardous element.
Isolation is also an effective technique to reduce the risk, isolate the hazard
work practice from people. The Engineering controls such as an adaptation of
tool also minimize the risk. Administrative controls like the training program,
using permit systems also reduced the risk factor of hazard in the
workplace. Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) PPE relies upon and requires thorough training and efficient direction to
ensure conformity and effectiveness. The fourth step in risk prevention is to
regularly review the affectivity through Consultation, inspection, testing and
analyzing records and data. The underline purpose involves considering whether
a control measure is now reasonably practicable.
Prevention of Hazards
Health and
safety standard and codes provide detailed information on how you can prevent
the possibilities of goals under the HSS laws to enhance the productivity of
employers. Courts may regard a code of practice about a hazard, risk prevention
or control, by using 'reasonably practicable' codes in the particular
circumstances. The legal and moral case for effective workplace health and
safety established an environment in which the employer has taken all practical
steps to ensure the workplace is free from hazard for patients, the staff or
public. The strong evidence linking employer’s safety, experiences and the
quality of care is also illustrated. The health and safety standard contributes
to organizational success as it provides a checklist, which implemented, legal
duties and helps them achieve the health and safety oriented goals. The
standards or codes are aimed at managing, and directing health and safety
responsibilities, with health and safety specialized and trade union safety
representatives. They explain the principles, which endow with the basis of
successful health and safety supervision; set out the issues, and provide links
about the guidance, and can be used for budding improved programmers. The level
of compliance used to be assessed through assessment procedure, and the
informed gap analysis of work provided the need of revision or supervision. The
standards can be utilized by a board to examine compliance according to health
and safety legislation.
Health and Safety Codes
Health safety
and standard or codes of practice
examples are available: Abrasive blasting, Confined spaces, Construction work,
Demolition work, Excavation work, First aid in the workplace, Hazardous manual
tasks, How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace, How to manage work
health and safety risks, How to safely remove asbestos, Labelling of workplace
hazardous chemicals. Managing electrical dangers in the workplace, Managing
noise and preventing hearing loss at work
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FMEA)
mission is to investigate and recognize risks in system operations and to
protect the citizens. The grassroots strategy of FEMA is to bring together
community and government leaders to involve the individual of society in
all-hazards emergency and resilience. The program invites each to hold the
personal responsibility to be set; to acquire training in emergency skills; and
to volunteer or offer to support in local emergency responders, community
safety, and disaster relief. FEMA Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides the
latest resources and information on fire, risk, emergency management. More than
180,000 books, periodicals, reports and audiovisual materials are available for
workers. Internet users may get access to the LRC's Online Public Access
Catalog to obtained literature information, searches and download over 17,000
documents. The LRC's collection of research reports and books are also
accessible in a local library. The FEMA Industry Liaison Program is an entry
point for vendors for seeking information on how runs the business with FEMA
during hazard and non-hazard periods of activity. The program organizes
presentation meetings between vendors and FEMA program offices, to create
strategic relationships with supporting industry partners, vendors, and
stakeholders. FEMA also support robust and collaborative training strategies
for safety professionals and owners as well. FEMA has been able to increase
existing training programs, commence new inventiveness to keep tempo with
evolving technology and improve the allocation of proficiency between the
federal and state sectors.
Health and
safety provide a useful framework for successful health and safety management.
The health and safety policy intends to provide a safe and healthy workplace.
For effective health and safety management, employer, supervisor, worker, and
owner equally play a vital role. I will aware and encourage all staff member to
fulfill their responsibilities effectively. First of all, an employer will be
asked to provide delegate authority and detailed direction to that participant
responsible for health and safety. Provide training, instruction, information,
and supervision essential to protect their health and safety. Maintain and provide
devices, clothing, protective equipment, and ensure that they are effectively
used. To aware them about the hazard Identification responsibility through
regular inspections and either to eradicate or manage the hazards without
delay. The second step of the health and safety management is to ensure that
Supervisors provides health and safety the priority as quality control. Ensure
that workers under the supervision are aware of all reasonably foreseeable
health and safety hazards during work. The third and most important step of
management is to aware the workers about their general responsibilities for
their health and safety. Guide them to cooperate with the joint committee or
health and safety representative, hazard prevention officers, and any other individual
involved in health and safety duties. Help them to learn and follow safe work
actions. Be alert about hazards, and report the risk of hazards to the
supervisor. Strict supervision of workers regarding the protective clothing,
equipment, and devices is also imperative in health and safety management. Last
but not the least Owners also plays an imperative role in managing a healthy
and safe workplace. The owner of a worksite has responsibilities for a safe and
healthy workplace. The owner may have as
the employer or prime contractor; it is his responsibility to provide workplace
any information recognized to the owner that is essential to identify and
eradicate hazards. There are some other steps I would like to implement at the
workplace such as commit with staff and employee, involve the employees in
inspection committee for performance evaluation,