OSH IN HEALTHCARE - The need to push OSH in healthcare institutions and facilities, for the well being of our healthcare heroes

Background

Our workplace play a vital part in our lives. Our work affects both our physical and mental well-being in good ways and bad that is why it is just prudent to make the workplace safe and healthy for all its workers. Occupational accidents or illnesses does not only result to disabilities, sometimes it may even cause death. And sadly not much attention is being given to this especially in healthcare facilities and institutions. Fact of the matter is not all hospital workers including the administrative staff is familiar with the concept of OSH. That is why full implementation of the OSH standards is being pushed by our government particularly the DOLE

OSH is the discipline dealing with the prevention of work-related injuries and diseases as well as the protection and promotion of the health of worker. The primary purpose of occupational health and safety programs is to create a safe and a healthy work environment. When healthcare institutions implement OSH standards, it allows workers to perform their roles in a safer and more secure environment that is free from any major hazards. The protection of health and safety of health workers is of paramount importance. It contributes to improving the productivity, job satisfaction and retention of health workers. It also facilitates the regulatory compliance of health facilities with national laws and regulations on occupational health and safety.

The Sad Reality of Healthcare Workers

Below are some statistics that show the sad reality our healthcare workers face while taking care of their patients 

• About 54% of health workers in low- and middle-income countries have latent tuberculosis, which is 25 times higher than the general population.

  
  

• Between 44% and 83% of nurses in clinical settings in Africa have chronic lower back pain, compared to 18% among office workers.

  
  

• Globally, 63% of health workers report experiencing any form of violence at the workplace.

  
  

• During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, 23% of front-line healthcare workers worldwide suffered depression and anxiety and 39% suffered insomnia. Furthermore, medical professions are at higher risk of suicide in all parts of the world.

  
  

• Unsafe working conditions resulting in occupational illness, injuries and absenteeism constitute a significant financial cost for the health sector (estimated at up to 2% of health spending).

  
  

• So far only 26 out of the 195 Member States of WHO have in place policy instruments and national programs for managing occupational health and safety of health workers.

Caring for those who care 

Health workers are the backbone of any functioning health system. While contributing to the enjoyment of the right to health for all, health workers should also enjoy the right to healthy and safe working conditions to maintain their own health.

Health workers face a range of occupational risks associated with infections, unsafe patient handling, hazardous chemicals, radiation, heat and noise, psychosocial hazards, violence and harassment, injuries, inadequate provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene. 

The protection of health and safety of health workers should be part of the core business of the health sector: to protect and restore health without causing harm to patients and workers.

Safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of health workers can prevent diseases and injuries caused by work, while improving the quality and safety of care

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Process 

Risk Assessment is a process where you identify hazards, assess or evaluate the risk associated with that hazard, and providing control measures which aim at the elimination or reduction of exposure of workers to potential work environment hazards.

The identified hazards and preventive controls must be monitored and reviewed periodically for their continued Suitability because hazard which are not rated high today may assume a more severe proportion after a few months, depending upon the change in activities or whenever there is introduction of new equipment or new process 

There are various methods of identifying occupational Hazards in a healthcare institution. Make a list of all the identified hazards then categorize them as department-wise or location-wise, or clinical or non clinical. Next is determine what are the processes or activities associated with them and who are likely to be affected

Hierarchy of Control 

Controlling exposures to hazards in the workplace is vital to protecting workers. The hierarchy of controls is a way of determining which actions will best control exposures. The hierarchy of controls has five levels of actions to reduce or remove hazards. The preferred order of action based on general effectiveness is:

Elimination of a specific hazard or hazardous work process or preventing it from entering the workplace, is the most effective method of control. Eliminating means completely removing it.

Substitution: one measure of replacing one hazardous agent or work process with a less dangerous one. It is important to consider worker health and safety when work processes are still in the planning stages.

Engineering Control: reduce or prevent hazards from coming into contact with workers. It can include modifying equipment or the workspace, using protective barriers, ventilation, and more

Administrative controls establish work practices that reduce the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure to hazards. This may include work process training, job rotation, ensuring adequate rest breaks, limiting access to hazardous areas or machinery, etc

PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards. Examples of PPE include gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard hats, and respirators. Employers should not rely on PPE alone to control hazards when other effective control options are available. PPE can be effective, but only when workers use it correctly and consistently. The hazard is still there

Protect our Health Heroes

Successful OSH management in any institution or organization is a proactive implementation of preventive actions (controls) in activities associated not only with patient services but also other support services. There should always be enough resources available to ensure implementation of effective OSH programs for our healthcare workers. It must be ensured all personnel are well versed and well trained in all aspects of the health and safety aspects. They should also posses adequate knowledge of occupational health and safety to prevent and/or minimize accidents. The organization’s OSH programs should be well communicated among the stakeholders including Employees Contract workers, Part-time Workers, visiting Doctors, Ambulance drivers, other personnel hired by the institution.

Now the question is, How will you apply OSH in your institution? I hope that we will tirelessly continue to promote and apply safety and health in our workplace because after all SAFETY is for EVERYONE, and is EVERYONE’s RESPONSIBILITY.