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HEALTHCARE SAFETY. SAFETY. Safety is a basic need and right. You, your clients and your co-workers have the right to a safe setting. Your employer is responsible for providing a safe working environment.
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SAFETY • Safety is a basic need and right. • You, your clients and your co-workers have the right to a safe setting. • Your employer is responsible for providing a safe working environment. • OH & S legislation is designed to protect employees from injuries and accidents in the workplace. • Employers, employees, and supervisors are responsible for health and safety. • If you feel your safety has been jeopardized, report to your supervisor immediately • If an accident occurs, an incident report needs to filled out • You have the right to refuse unsafe work
SAFETY • OH & S legislation is designed to protect employees from injuries and accidents in the workplace. • Employers, employees, and supervisors are responsible for health and safety. • OH & S Legislation includes: • Who is covered by the act • Joint Health & Safety Committees • Health & Safety Representatives • Duties of Employers & other persons • The right to refuse work • The right to stop work • Workplace violence and harassment • Toxic Substances
SAFETY • The Government of Ontario and its workplace partners are committed to eliminating all workplace injuries. • Safe At Work Ontariois the Ministry of Labour’s (MOL’s) compliance strategy, designed to: • improve the health and safety culture of workplaces, • reduce workplace injuries and illness, • lessen the burden on the health care system, • avoid costs for employers and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and • provide a level playing field for compliant companies. • SAFETY VIDEO
SAFETY • ERGONOMIC INJURIES • Ergonomic injuries, often called musculoskeletal disorders, affect the muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints and/or blood vessels. • Ergonomic injuries are typically caused by or made worse with repeated exertions, awkward positions and / or forceful movements. Ergonomic Injuries: • Often occur in the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists or hands • Are commonly caused by wear and tear on a tissue instead of one “incident” • Have a gradual onset and worsening of symptoms over time • Develop over a period of weeks, months or even years
SAFETY • BACK INJURIES • Most common cause of absenteeism in the general workforce. • Healthcare industry workers sustain 4.5 times more back injuries than any other type of worker. • 5 of the top 10 professions at greatest risk for back injuries are: • PSW/HCA • RPN • RN • Radiology techs • PT • 1/3 of nurses do not report their injuries
SAFETY • CAUSES OF BACK INJURIES • Aging workforce • Sicker patients • Staffing shortages • Obesity (patients and staff) • Falls • Improper lifting/transferring PREVENTION IS THE KEY
SAFETY • NEEDLESTICK INJURIES • Needlestick injuries are wounds caused by needles that accidentally puncture the skin. • Hazard for people who work with hypodermic syringes and other needle equipment. • These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles. • When not disposed of properly, needles can become concealed in linen or garbage and injure other workers who encounter them unexpectedly.
SAFETY • Needlestick injuries transmit infectious diseases, especially blood-borne viruses. • In recent years, concern about AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C has prompted research to find out why these injuries occur and to develop measures to prevent them. • Many hospitals have switched to “needleless systems” to prevent these injuries • Nurses have the most needlestick injuries of all healthcare professions (52% of all needlestick injuries) • Most injuries occurred when drawing blood
FIRE SAFETY • WHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE • The key to surviving a fire is being prepared before one starts • Know your employers policies and procedures (CODE RED) • Know where to find fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency exits
FIRE SAFETY • USE THE ACRONYM RACE • R – rescue • A – alarm • C – confine • E – extinguish • Know where the fire extinguishers are kept and how to use them. • Remember, different extinguishers are used for different types of fires.
FIRE SAFETY • PULL THE PIN, AIM LOW AT BASE OF FIRE • SQUEEZE HANDLE, SWEEP SLOWLY AT BASE OF FIRE • STAY LOW TO AVOID HEAT AND SMOKE CLASS A • water • Ordinary Combustibles: paper, cloth, wood, rubber, many plastics. CLASS B • CO2 • Flammable Liquids: • oil, grease, gasoline, some paints, solvents etc. CLASS C • dry chemical • Electrical: • wiring, fuse boxes, electrical equipment etc. CLASS D • special liquid or powder • Combustible Metals: magnesium,
SAFETY WHMIS
WHMIS • The acronym WHMIS stands for: • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System • This regulation was introduced into the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario in 1987 • WHMIS gives a worker the right to know what they are handling • Federal WHMIS applies to importers, manufacturers, and suppliers of hazardous materials • The Hazardous Products Act for controlled products states that national suppliers are to provide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets to all buyers
WHMIS • MSDS stands for: • Material Safety Data Sheets • MSDS is a print out on paper that identifies how to handle, store, use, health effects if exposed, emergency procedures, and protective measures • MSDS must be updated by the supplier every 3 years • Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in Ontario, employers are to make sure that all hazardous materials are labeled appropriately and that a MSD sheet accompanies the product • On any controlled hazardous product two labels must be properly labeled with a supplier and a workplace sticker
WHMIS • Supplier labels must be attached to the controlled product container which has detailed information about the product. • Legislation states that 10 kg or more of a controlled product or hazardous material from a supplier must contain the following information: • both official languages • have a WHMIS border • identifies the material or product name (i.e. common name, chemical name, trade name, generic name, brand name, code name or number) • name and address of the supplier • reference to a MSD sheet • WHMIS hazard symbols
WHMIS • In addition to this and if the container has more than 100 milliliters the following information must be on the label: • risk time factors • precautionary measures while using or being exposed to the product/chemical • First aid measures to address immediate injuries and not progressive illnesses Workplace labels must be identified on a container that is not from the supplier, and must contain the following information: • material identifier or product name • reference to a MSD sheet • precautionary steps • first aid measures