Essay on "Occupational Health and Safety"
Essay 3 pages (1148 words) Sources: 1+
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Occupational Health and SafetyThe nursing profession is prone to occupational health and safety issues. From biological infections to harmful chemicals, physically straining patient care routines to experiencing emotionally draining events, nurses are exposed to a wide variety of occupational hazards that make them vulnerable to serious injuries and diseases. Studies report a very high percentage of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses. Studies have also reported high incidences of latex allergies and needle stick injuries among nurses leading to dermatis, asthma and acquiring other dangerous infections. [Timmins et.al, (2008)] In Australia, the OHS act 2000 provides the framework for organizations to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. The legislation includes severe penalties for lack of safety provisions and compensation for affected workers. Workplace injuries not only affect nurses who have to undergo rehabilitation but also result in more burden for the already strained and overstretched nursing force. A brief overview of the OHS provisions pertaining to the nursing and health care industry, with a discussion of how nurses can avoid the environmental hazards by the creative use of ergonomic principles would provide more insight into the topic.
OH&S Policies
The OHS act 2000 provides the comprehensive legal framework for overseeing that workplace safety and health regulations are properly implemented. The law requires that employers must ensure the safety and health of all the employees. From the Health care organization's perspective this implies that the working conditions for nurses should meet the requirements of the stipulated standa
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Environmental Hazards Mitigation (Nursing Role)
Nurses, being primary care providers are affected by a variety of occupational health risks including biological, chemical and mechanical hazards in the course of their routine care delivery. Not only the safety of the nurses but also the safety of the patients depends upon nurses' awareness of the workplace hazards and how effectively they deal with these safety risks. This calls for active participation from the nursing staff, the OHS committee and the hospital management. As healthcare workers directly involved in caregiving, Nurses can help identify, eliminate and prevent potential environmental hazards. Nurses can be proactive and report any hazardous situation to the OHS committee and if the issue is still unresolved they can even report the matter to the appropriate safety authority such as Workcover (NSW), Worksafe (WA), Safework SA etc. [NSW Nurses Association (2004)]
Nurses have the responsibility for drug preparation and administration. Avoiding medication errors is important as the results of improper dosage and wrong drug can be potentially fatal. Nurses should keep themselves updated with the latest in pharmacological advancements and should be aware of the safe limits, prescribed dosage, route of administration and potential side effects of the drugs that they administer. They should also be aware… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Occupational Health and Safety" Assignment:
Using the published resource (text books, government website or journal article, etc.) to finish ALL the following task:
Review the current OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety)legislation and regulation in Australia
Identify the facility specific OH&S policies and procedures that apply to the nursing practice
Explain how can nurse identify, eliminate and prevent environmental hazards where possible.
List relevant principles to ensure the safe administration of therapeutic substances
List ergonomic principles to prevent injury to patients and nurse self
List environmental factors which affect patients***** comfort
List ergonomic principles and appropriate aids to promote patient*****s comfort.
*****
How to Reference "Occupational Health and Safety" Essay in a Bibliography
“Occupational Health and Safety.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2010, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/occupational-health-safety/9889. Accessed 1 Jul 2024.
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