Healthcare Safety Tips

1. Use safer needle devices and needleless devices to decrease needle stick or other sharps exposures.
    
2. Properly handle and dispose of needles and other sharps according to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens
   Standard.
   
   Do not bend, recap, or remove contaminated needles and other sharps unless such an act is required by a specific procedure or has no feasible alternative.
   
   Do not shear or break contaminated sharps. (OSHA defines contaminated as the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface)
    
3. Have needle containers available near areas where needles may be found.
    
4. Discard contaminated sharps immediately or as soon as feasible into appropriate containers.
    
5. Sharps containers should be:
   
   Closable, puncture-resistant, and leak-proof on sides and bottom
   
   Accessible, maintained upright, and not allowed to overfill
   
   Labeled or color coded according to OSHA standard
   
   Colored red or labeled with the biohazard symbo
   
   Labeled in fluorescent orange or orange-red, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color (Red bags or containers may be substituted for labels)
    
6. Provide training to exposed employees on at least an annual basis.
    
7. Assure that your facility meets all requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

1. Be aware of body signals (e.g., fatigue, discomfort or pain)

2. Use adjustable chairs (patient and staff chairs) and other work surfaces

3. Stretch and exercise between patients, pace work and alternate work tasks

4. Schedule adequate time for each patient

5. Add buffer times to schedule for relaxation and stretching

6. Give and get feedback to and from coworkers about posture

7. Use indirect vision (e.g., mirrors) to eliminate awkward positions

8. Alternate instruments

9. Keep instruments sharp to require less pressure and time (for example, in scaling)

10. Keep tools conveniently accessible

11. Use proper instrumentation techniques: Avoid thumb hyperextension and excessive finger movement and keep wrists in neutral position during forearm rotation.

12. Wear properly fitting gloves

1. Locate equipment and materials in the facility in a manner that reduces the amount of lifting and handling as much as possible.
2. Maintain clear open spaces around equipment and materials being handled. Easy access allows workers to get closer and reduces reaching, bending, and twisting.
3. When lifting:
   • Get a secure grip.
   • Use both hands whenever possible.
   • Avoid jerking by using smooth, even motions.
   • Keep the load as close to the body as possible.
   • To the extent feasible use your legs to push up and lift the load, not your upper body or back.
   • Do not twist your body. Step to one side or the other to turn.
4. Get help to moving large items, rather than lifting alone.
5. Avoid awkward postures when you carry items.

1. Communicate a policy statement which reflects your company’s commitment to assisting injured employees in getting back to work.
2. Establish a procedure for early reporting of any injury or illness.
3. Send the injured employee for medical treatment right away.
4. Stay in touch with the injured employee.
5. Investigate the incident.
6. Bring the injured employee back to work in an appropriate capacity as soon as possible (according to medical recommendation).
7. Successful return to work of injured workers is more likely to be achieved if alternate, transitional duties are available in your workplace.
• Plan ahead and identify potential transitional duty opportunities
• Develop job descriptions that describe physical requirements and other requirements of all positions within your facility.
8. Assign a Return to Work coordinator whose responsibility it is to make sure all of the above is carried out.

1. Are adequate devices installed to control unauthorized entry onto the premises?
2. Do you have a burglar alarm that reports to a central station or a constantly attended monitoring facility?
3. Do you have adequate fencing and gates around the building and parking areas?
4. Is there adequate exterior and interior lighting?
5. Do you have adequate door and window locks?
6. Is access to premises controlled by physical barriers and surveillance?
7. Do you require the use of company ID badges?
8. Do you have appropriate visitor sign-in, badges and escort procedures?
9. Are check-in and check-out procedures effective in controlling independent contractors and trades people?
10. Do you have an inventory control system in place?

1. Is the building’s exterior structure, including all equipment, in good condition?
2. Are drain pipes, signs, tanks, fences, canopies, etc. secured?
3. Is the roof covering free of leaks?
4. Is the roof drainage adequate?
5. Has the potential for snow/ice/water accumulation on the roof been considered?
6. Is the plumbing system properly installed and adequate?
7. Are water supply lines and connections for equipment leak-free and in good condition?
8. Is the building’s interior structure, including equipment, in good condition?
9. Is the electrical system adequate and up to date?
10. Has the electrical system been upgraded to accommodate new equipment and increased use?
11. Is the heating and air conditioning system properly maintained and safely located?
12. Are all combustibles and flammables stored properly?
13. Is all refuse removed daily?
14. Are “no smoking” rules established and enforced?
15. Are electrical extension cords, tools and appliances safely used?
16. Are fire protection devices (extinguishers, etc.) and sprinklers properly installed, maintained, tested, and free of obstruction?
17. Is high-value equipment protected?
18. Are smoke alarms in use, and maintained and tested regularly?
19. Are your employees trained to respond quickly and correctly when they smell smoke or see a fire?
20. Are valuable assets segregated (preferably to other facilities) so that a fire or flood would not wipe out all your major assets?

1. Always be far sighted, keep your eyes moving and take in the whole picture
2. A car or van must keep at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Add more time for heavier vehicles and buses or when traveling over 40 MPH or in poor weather conditions.

 


1. Know where you are going to avoid a situation where you are unsure whether to turn at an intersection or proceed through it.
2. As you are approaching an intersection, scan the situation well in advance. Look for other cars and anticipate their actions. Check for pedestrians.
3. Check for traffic control devices you will need to obey…yield signs, stop signs, traffic signals, etc.
4. Signal your intent to turn well in advance of the intersection and begin to position your vehicle accordingly.
5. Don’t try to beat yellow lights. Slow down and stop.
6. If your light has been green for a long time, expect it to change and be prepared to stop.
7. Take your foot off the accelerator, cover the brake, and slow down as you approach the intersection and go through it. This will enable you to stop more quickly if necessary.
8. Continue to scan as you enter the intersection and drive through it. Look for others who are not obeying traffic control devices or are not yielding the right of way. Continue to look for pedestrians and other potential hazards.
9. When making a right on red, come to a full stop. Look left, right, and left again. Proceed with the turn only when it is clear and safe to do so.
10. If you are going straight through an intersection after a red light changes green. Look left, right, and left again. Begin to drive forward only when it is clear and safe to do so.

1. Make aisles and passageways sufficiently wide for easy movement and keep them clear at all times.
2. Be sure rugs and mats are in good condition, without raised or torn edges.
3. Keep electrical cords away from walking areas.
4. Keep floors clean and dry.
5. Provide warning signs for wet floor areas.
6. Repair any uneven floor surfaces. Relay or stretch carpets that bulge or have become bunched to prevent tripping hazards.
7. Use no-skid waxes and surfaces coated with grit to create non-slip surfaces in slippery areas or use non-slip mats.
8. Maintain entrance doors meticulously. Ensure they are easy to use and will not cause injury.
9. Ensure glass doors and walls are plainly visible by applying decals or by using etched designs.
10. Keep entryways clean and dry during wet weather. Use mats as appropriate.
11. Make aisles and passageways sufficiently wide for easy movement and keep them clear at all times.
12. Be sure parking areas and entrances are well-lit.
13. Keep sidewalks and entries free from snow, ice, or accumulated sand or water. Apply ice-melting chemicals if needed.

Train employees on the importance of all of the above and that they are expected to take steps to correct slip and fall hazards as soon as they are noticed, and report them to the office manager.

1. Remain professional at all times, and show genuine concern for the person’s injury or damages.
2. Arrange for prompt first aid or medical care if needed.
3. Ask the visitor what happened, but avoid entering into any disputes over the alleged cause of the incident. Just observe and report the facts of the event, and let the claim adjuster worry about whether the claim is justified.
4. Avoid making admissions of negligence or responsibility, or even to hold discussions that would imply negligence or responsibility.
5. Report to management, in writing, all incidents, accidents, or claims involving visitors.
6. Handle and investigate all incidents promptly.
7. Prepare a well-documented incident report. Report all known facts about the incident: the exact location and time; names and contact information of witnesses; and witness’ statements.
8. Make a complete inspection of immediate incident area and gather as much information as possible. Note type and condition of walking surfaces, footwear, equipment, assistive devices, and pertinent weather and lighting conditions.
9. Take photographs. If possible, try to take pictures from different angles, including close-ups. Do not take pictures of injured people, especially if injuries are severe.
10. If a visitor declines to provide information for an incident report, complete a “John Doe” report, using whatever information is available.
11. If your company’s safety program does not cover the safety and security of your visitors, act now to assure that it does.