Health and safety hazards in hospitals

There are many different members of staff working in different capacities and departments within a hospital. This includes doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals, cleaning staff and administrative staff.

Health and safety hazards in hospitals can also differ depending on the area of the hospital you work in and the role you fulfil. Health and safety hazards can also affect patients and visitors to the hospital.

Being aware of potential hazards and removing or reducing them to the lowest possible level is therefore essential.

Some of the most common health and safety hazards in hospitals include:

Manual handling

This can include lifting, transporting or supporting patients, machinery and equipment. Manual handling is involved in many job roles within hospitals, such as transferring a patient between the bed and the chair, moving trolleys and wheelchairs, and carrying equipment. Manual handling can cause a number of injuries including musculoskeletal disorder, back pain, sprains, strains, hernias and prolapsed discs.

Occupational violence

Hospital staff may be subject to occupational violence including verbal and physical abuse, threats, and assault from patients and visitors to the hospital. Not only can this result in physical injuries, but it can also result in emotional distress and short-term and long-term mental health difficulties.

Work-related stress

Work-related stress can occur when the requirements of a person’s job don’t match the available resources and the capabilities and needs of the individual. Hospital employees often encounter highly stressful situations including heavy workloads, emotionally challenging situations and long working hours. Work-related stress is particularly hazardous as it can result in stress disorders, anxiety, depression and burnout.

Chemical hazards

Hospitals and other healthcare settings have many hazardous chemicals on their premises. This includes chemicals that are used to treat patients, such as medication, drugs and gases, and chemicals that are used to clean, disinfect and sterilize.

Infectious diseases and agents

Hospital workers have a high risk of coming into contact with infectious diseases and agents. This could be potentially hazardous to their health, particularly if they come into close contact with the patient, their bodily fluids, or waste.

Occupationally acquired infections in HCWs:

1. Pulmonary tuberculosis

2. Hepatitis (A, B and C)

3. Varicella Zoster

4. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

5. Viral (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Influenza, COVID-19, SARS, HIV, etc.)

6. Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus

7. Meningococcal

Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls account for a high number of accidents and injuries in healthcare settings. These can occur for a variety of reasons including floor contamination and obstacles, inappropriate footwear, poor lighting and floor level changes.

Health and safety hazards in a nursery

Health and safety hazards in a nursery can affect nursery staff, the children attending the nursery, and any parents, carers and other visitors to the nursery. In order to protect the health and safety of everyone involved, it is imperative to identify any potential hazards and eliminate them or reduce them to the lowest possible level.

Some of the most common health and safety hazards in a nursery are:

• Manual handling
  Nursery staff often have to lift and carry children, toys and equipment. It is important that all staff are aware of the correct manual handling techniques, such as posture, positioning and physical effort.

• Slips, trips and falls
  Slips, trips and falls can occur because of a variety of hazards including wet floors, spillages, unexpected items, such as toys, on the floor, loose rugs and carpets, and issues with external play areas. Nursery staff need to be constantly aware and vigilant of any potential hazards on the floor.

• Food poisoning
  As many nurseries prepare food on-site for the children and staff, it is important to maintain food hygiene standards at all times. Ensuring food is stored, cooked and chilled correctly, efficient cleaning procedures are followed, and kitchen staff pay attention to use-by dates is imperative. Reducing the hazards related to the food that is served can help to protect staff and children from bacteria, food poisoning and other foodborne illnesses.

• Choking on food and small objects
  Young children, especially infants and children, love to put things in their mouths. Small objects, such as those you find in many toys and games, are a choking hazard and should be removed from areas where young children are present.Nursery staff should also ensure they carefully supervise the children as they engage in games and activities. Food can also be a choking hazard if is not cut into small, bitesize pieces. Grapes, carrots, apples, nuts, hot dogs, blueberries and sweets are the foods that pose the biggest choking risk.

• Improperly maintained and inspected equipment
  Nursery equipment such as climbing frames, slides, scooters, bikes, ride-on toys and space hoppers should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly and there is no damage, rust or other issues that could be hazardous to children.

• Viruses, infections and illnesses
  Nursery staff and children are at high risk of coming into contact with viruses, infections and other illnesses. Young children have a lower immune system and the close contact between staff and children means illnesses spread much more quickly.

• Biological hazards
  Nursery staff have to deal with cuts and injuries, nappy changes and illnesses on a daily basis. This means they can be exposed to biological hazards such as blood, bodily fluids and waste. These are hazardous if they are inhaled, ingested or absorbed in some way.

• Work-related stress
  Nursery workers may feel that they have too many responsibilities or work-related demands, long working hours, and a job that requires consistently high levels of energy and concentration. These factors can all result in work-related stress and can have a negative impact on the employee’s mental health and wellbeing.

Health and safety hazards in offices

You may think that an office is less hazardous than other workplaces, and although you are statistically less likely to incur an injury in an office compared to on a construction site, health and safety hazards in the office still exist and should be taken seriously.

Some of the most common health and safety hazards in an office are:

• Manual handling
  Manual handling activities in an office can include moving office furniture and equipment, carrying heavy books and files, and repetitive movements such as typing. This can lead to injuries such as repetitive strain injuries in the hands and wrists, and neck or back strain or pain.

• Display screen equipment (DSE)
  This includes desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and televisions. If you use DSE every day for long periods of time, you may experience eye strain, headaches and even a deterioration in your eyesight.

• Occupational sitting
  This is prolonged sitting as part of your job role, for example sitting at your office desk for long periods every day. Poor posture and unsupportive chairs can result in neck pain and strain and back injuries. Other occupational sitting hazards can include numbness in the legs, varicose veins, increased blood pressure, and a higher risk of obesity.

• Electricity
  Offices usually have a lot of electrical equipment in small spaces. Electricity is an important office hazard to be aware of as you may experience overheated equipment, overloaded sockets, damaged cables, and electrical equipment that hasn’t been PAT tested. Electrical hazards can result in electrocution, electric shock and fires.

• Work-related stress
  Offices can often be high-stress environments. Work-related stress can occur in office employees for a number of reasons, such as too many demands and responsibilities, difficult working relationships, long working hours, and a poor working environment. Some office employees may also experience stress if they find the work they are asked to undertake is boring, uninspiring or too easy.

• Poor indoor air quality
  Office workers often spend between 8 and 12 hours a day inside one room or area. Some offices have poor indoor air quality as a result of overcrowding, poor ventilation systems, mould, asbestos, dust or the presence of strong cleaning chemicals. Poor air quality can result in a number of health conditions, including asthma and eczema.

• Slips, trips and falls
  As in many workplaces, common office hazards include cluttered areas, unexpected items on the floor, loose floorboards or carpet, cables and wires on the floor, and wet floors and spillages. These health and safety hazards can all result in slips, trips and falls which can cause a variety of injuries.

If you need to report a health and safety issue or the presence of hazards in your office, you should speak to your line manager or the office manager. Alternatively, you can contact your office or company’s Human Resources department or your union representative.

Sources:

1. Health and Safety Hazards | Identifying hazards & types of hazard (cpdonline.co.uk)

2. Occupationally Acquired Infections and the Healthcare Worker... : Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice (lww.com)

Vaccines and Recommendations in brief

COVID-19 – If not up to date, give COVID-19 vaccine according to current CDC recommendations (see www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/covid-19.html).

Hepatitis B – If no previous dose, give either a 2-dose series of Heplisav-B or a 3-dose series of either Engerix-B, PreHevbrio, or Recombivax HB. A 3-dose series of Twinrix vaccine, which prevents hepatitis A and B, is an option. For HCP who perform tasks that may involve exposure to blood or body fluids, obtain antibody serology 1–2 months after final dose.

Influenza – Give 1 dose of influenza vaccine annually.

MMR – For healthcare personnel (HCP) born in 1957 or later without serologic evidence of immunity or prior vaccination, give 2 doses of MMR, 4 weeks apart. For HCP born prior to 1957, see below.

Varicella (chickenpox) – For HCP who have no serologic proof of immunity, prior vaccination, or diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella or herpes zoster (shingles) by a healthcare provider, give 2 doses of varicella vaccine, 4 weeks apart.

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis – Give 1 dose of Tdap as soon as feasible to all HCP who have not received Tdap previously and to pregnant HCP with each pregnancy (see below). Give Td or Tdap boosters every 10 years thereafter.

Meningococcal – Give both MenACWY and MenB to microbiologists who are routinely exposed to isolates of Neisseria meningitidis. As long as risk continues: boost with MenB after 1 year, then every 2–3 years thereafter; boost with MenACWY every 5 years.

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Source: Healthcare Personnel Vaccination Recommendations (immunize.org)