To reduce risks, begin with an assessment of the workplace hazards and audit for regulatory compliance gaps. It is also viable to learn strategies from other hospitals that are successful in reducing their injury/illness rates.
We understand that this can be overwhelming, so to help out we will discuss just a few focus areas where hospitals and clinics should be OSHA compliant.
Hospitals are one of the top workplaces in the US where injuries occur. Many illnesses are airborne, and while hospitals try to keep everything as sterile as possible, being proactive is the best form of protection. OSHA has clear guidelines on having a respiratory program in safety manuals. Within the Hospital Respiratory Protection Toolkit OSHA and NIOSH:
Illnesses are not the only risk factor at hospitals. Other risks may include slips and falls, biohazard exposures, sprains, strains, and needle sticks are just some of the many hazards medical care workers may face. We will be exploring more on these topics in the weeks to come.
When auditing your safety management system, ensure that your written programs are up to date with current regulations. Our firm conducts in average of 100 safety management system audits per year, and in the majority of our findings, company written policies are often outdated or have not been revised with new regulations.
In some cases, it’s best to use an outside company to perform a mock OSHA inspection. Working with a third party safety consulting firm can be a great resource if your organization lacks specific expertise in this area. This can better prepare you for a surprise OSHA inspection.
By taking this one step at a time, you can improve worker safety in hospitals and save on OSHA fines. For more information on how to prepare, download our free guide on surviving an OSHA inspection.