Safety Promotion

Basic Health Care; HCE100

Using Body Mechanics

• Ergonomics = adapt environment to good body mechanics

• Advantages to use body mechanics:1. Prevents strain

2. Maintains muscle strength

3. Prevents injury to self & others

• Rules of good body mechanics1. Broad base of support

2. Bend – from hips & knees, not waist

3. No bending for long periods

4. Use arm & leg muscles, not back muscles

5. Do not lift---- do push, pull, & slide

6. Carry objects close to the body

7. Do not body twist, turn by shifting feet

8. Get help if necessary (no macho behavior)

Preventing Accidents & Injuries

OSHAOSHA

• Under control of US Dept of Labor• Purpose = requires employers to ensure employee

safety with regard to occupational exposure to harmful substances

• OSHA set forth 2 standards by adopting regulations• Bloodborne pathogen standard ------ under Standard

Precautions• occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals standard• Became law in 1992

• Goals:– reducing workplace hazards– achieving better safety & health conditions– maintaining a record keeping system to monitor

injuries/ illnesses– develop & enforce workplace safety regulations

• Under US Dept of Labor

OSHA Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

• Chemical hygiene plan (CHP)• According to OSHA, labs must have a CHP• Each lab must have a manual which encompasses the

core of OSHA safety standards• Use of training sessions• Written instructions on use of PPE• Use of fume hoods• Use of instructions for disposal of hazardous waste• Must record/ report accidents & incidents• 3 primary goals of employer

» Inventory of all hazardous chemicals» Manual of MSDS’s (material safety data sheets)

see next slide

» Training program within 30 days for new worker

OSHA Standard: Blood pathogen Standard

• 7 points mandated by OSHA

1. Use “standard precautions” – Key = hand-washing

2. Work practice controls– Exp = sharps containers– Adequate hand-washing facilities

3. Use of PPE4. Cleanliness of work areas5. Hepatitis B vaccine6. Follow –up after exposure

– Document incident & follow-up– Need to fill out official OSHA form

7. Medical records of exposed employee– Must be kept for 30 years– Records available to all with consent of

employee

Safety Issues

• Equipment• First need instruction

• Do not use if supervisor not in area

• If has damage report it , label it, & don’t use it

• Solutions• Must be labeled

• Read label 3 times !!!

• Read MSDS

• Read directions

• Keep away from eyes & skin

• If spills use proper technique » See next slide

• Patient safety• Before doing anything get authorization

• Use correct methods

• Identify correct patient

• Respect & privacy

• Always explain procedure to patient

• Leave patient in a safe secure way

Safety Issues

Fire Safety

• 3 things needed to start a fire1. Fuel

2. Heat

3. Air

• Major cause of fires = careless smoking• Be familiar with “fire emergency plan”

• Fire extinguishers

• Fire alarms

• Close down all air drafts

• Shut off all electrical equipment

• Know exit routes

Useful acronyms

• Use of fire extinguisher (PASS)P = pull the pinA = aim at near edge & bottom of fireS = squeeze pinS = Sweep from side to side

• In case of fire (RACE)R = rescue anyone (move them away from

fire)A = Alarm activationC = Confine the fireE = extinguish the fire

Fire Safety

• 4 classes of fire extinguishers• A = wood, paper, plastic• B = chemicals , oil• C = electrical, flammable gasses• D = metals

• Types• Foam, air, water --- used for Classes A, B, C• Carbon dioxide --- used for classes B, C• Dry chemical powder --- used for D

Fire Extinguishers

• White signifies use of PPE (personal protective equipment