Occupational hazards exist wherever health care is practised. Occupational health safety and hygiene 3 the primary responsibility of the industrial hygienist is as follows. Frequency and risk of occupational health and safety hazards for home healthcare workers show all authors. Occupational safety and health healthy people 2020. Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers. Objective to assess the occupational health hazards faced by healthcare workers and the mitigation measures. Short term risks may include physical injury, while longterm risks may be increased risk of developing cancer or heart disease. Health care workers are exposed to different kinds of occupational hazards due to their day to day activities. The objectives of this crosssectional study are to evaluate chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards and health problems of healthcare workers in hospitals, accidents, contact with chemicals and body fluids and personal protective equipment used. Table 2 showed the knowledge of respondents on occupational hazards and safety. Examples include cleaning solutions and solvents, vapors and fumes, carbon monoxide and any other gases. Occupational exposure correlated negatively with work environment satisfaction and job satisfaction, and positively with stress symptoms. This study showed that there was high degree of awareness regarding occupational health hazards among the staff nurses at tertiary care hospital keywords.
We are not aware of any other study that has reported on exposure to occupational health hazards at a national level in zambia. Home healthcare workers, while contributing greatly to the wellbeing of others, face unique risks on the job to their own personal safety and health. Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of occupational. The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were required to perform lifting tasks resulting in stressors that have caused or. Knowledge and risk perceptions of occupational infections. Occupational hazards of agricultural workers occupational health in agricultural sector is a new concept. To council employees regarding the health hazards and the. Part 1 oh services for health care workers within the department of health. Physical hazard safety awareness among healthcare workers. Occupational hazard as a term signifies both longterm and shortterm risks associated with the workplace environment and is a field of study within occupational safety and health and public health. It aims an adaptation of working environment to workers for the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well being of workers in all occupations. This study was therefore carried to assess the current status of occupational health and safety ohs in tanzanian hospitals and identify key areas for.
Out of the 296 valid responses from the two hospitals, it was found that 87% of them said they are aware of occupational health hazards at their workplaces and that working in a psychiatric hospital was more risky than other healthcare facilities. Increased sleep problems and risk for injury 1 among fulltime employees in relation to the number of hours worked per week. Nonclinical health workers had significantly better use of safety measures compared to clinical health workers p health workers were significantly more aware of ohs compared to non workers p mar 12, 2020 healthcarewide hazards. The world health organization global burden of disease from sharps injuries showed that 37% of hepatitis b among health workers was the result of occupational exposure. To assess the prevalence and determinants of occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus infection. Occupational health hazards introduction and types howmed. Occupational hazards that include biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, psychosocial, fire and explosion, and electrical hazards threaten healthcare worker lives, safety, and wellbeing. Jan 31, 2015 data on occupational hazards among healthcare workers and their mitigation measures remain scarce in most of subsaharan africa and uganda in particular.
Goalpromote the health and safety of people at work through prevention and early intervention. In conclusion, the results indicate that zambian workers are exposed to a broad range of occupational health hazards. To maintain an objective attitude towards anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards. Understanding the predisposing factors for occupational hazards among healthcare workers is needed to inform occupational health and safety policy and programs for healthcare workers. The status of occupational safety among health service. In the united states, the national institute for occupational safety and health niosh conduct workplace investigations and research addressing workplace health and. In the united states, the term occupational health and safety is referred to as occupational health and. The occupational hazards of healthcare personnel in. In terms of employment, the health care and social assistance sector is one of the largest serviceproviding sectors in the u. Pdf occupational health hazards among healthcare workers. Pdf occupational health hazards among health care workers. Awareness of occupational health hazards among staff nurses. We conducted a crosssectional study utilizing quantitative data collection methods among 200 respondents who worked in 8 major health facilities in kampala.
Results the most common occupational exposures among hcws in the past 12 months were psychosocial and organisational hazards 85. Occupational stress and the workplace communications. Overviewthe intent behind the occupational safety and health topic area is to prevent diseases, injuries, and deaths that are due to working conditions. It accounts for much of the physical illness, substance abuse, and family problems experienced by millions of blue and whitecollar workers. The objectives of this crosssectional study are to evaluate chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards and health problems of healthcare workers in hospitals, accidents, contact with chemicals and body fluids and personal protective equipment used among. Errors in patient care, increased needlesticks and exposure to blood and other body fluids and increased occupational injuries among healthcare workers. Staff awareness and experiences of occupational health hazards. The occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in an obstetrics and gynaecology unit were investigated. To further characterize the current occupational health landscape, the association of occupational health professionals in healthcare aohp recently released the results of expos. Cdc health care workers niosh workplace safety and.
Occupational health a manual for primary health care workers world health organization regional office for the eastern mediterranean whoemoch85el. The most common occupational exposure like body fluids is a potential risk of transmission of bloodborne infection like human immunodeficiency virus. Physical hazard safety awareness among healthcare workers in. Research article occupational health hazards among healthcare. Introduction healthcare workers usually expose to chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards in their everyday life. Hospital staffs are exposed to a wide range of health hazards in the workplace, including biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic and. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. These terms also refer to the goals of this field, so their use in the sense of this article was originally an abbreviation of. Characterizing the nature of home care work and occupational hazards. Occupational health is a neglected public health issue among healthcare workers in developing countries. Eightynine percent 258 of respondents had knowledge on the possible hazards in the hcfs while 70 % 202 respondents had knowledge that recapping used needles after use negates the recommendation in the standard precaution guidelines.
Occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in kampala, uganda article pdf available in journal of environmental and public health 20153 january 2015 with 9,449 reads. Occupational health and safety is one of the most important aspects of human concern. Occupational health hazards among health care workers in. The goal of occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe and healthy work environment. Occurs mainly among working places exposure to workplace is essential notifiable and compensable 4. Exposure to occupational health hazards among zambian.
Hospital workers are exposed to many occupational hazards that may threaten their health and safety. This may lead to severe distress, burnout, or physical illness. Surgical suite occupational safety and health administration intensive care unit occupational safety and health administration list of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings 2012 centers for disease control and prevention pdf. Occupational health and safety hazards and controls for healthcare administrative staff introduction as part of the alberta healthcare initiative, a series of best practice documents were produced by alberta employment and immigration workplace health and safety to better acquaint healthcare workers hcw with workplace hazards and appropriate. Prevalence of occupational exposure and its influence on. Occupational health hazards, many of which are avoidable and preventable while others are inevitable, being parts of the everyday duties. Agricultural workers have a multitude of health problems a fact which is often forgotten because of the widespread misconception that occupational health is mainly concerned with industry and industrialized countries. Occupational health care does not discriminate among working people. Occupational health hazards among health care workers medwin. Healthcare workers hcws need protection from these workplace hazards just as much as do mining or construction workers. Occupational health hazards introduction and types community medicine 33,867 views occupational hazard may be defined as a source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of injury or ill health, damage to property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these. Healthcare workers face a wide range of hazards on the job, including sharps injuries, harmful exposures to chemicals and hazardous drugs, back injuries, latex allergy, violence, and stress. Annex r checklist of common hazards in health service premises 56 annex s employee health records function. Key issues in occupational health infection control today.
Exploratory study on occupational health hazards among health. Jul 22, 2017 occupational hazards of agricultural workers occupational health in agricultural sector is a new concept. Occupational hazards among healthcare workers in africa. Occupational health, hazards, awareness, staff nurses. To assess the awareness of healthcare workers hcws about physical hazards in tanta university hospitals, this crosssectional study included 401. Frequency and risk of occupational health and safety hazards.
A total of 78 pretested questionnaires were administered to the doctors, nurses and ward orderlies in the unit of obafemi awolowo university teaching hospitals complex, ileife, nigeria. Occupational stress and stressful working conditions have been linked to low productivity. Occupational hazard may be defined as a source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of injury or ill health, damage to property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these. Occupational health services for health care workers in. Director, national institute for occupational safety and health centers for disease control and prevention. Occupational health hazards among health care workers. Among the strengths of this study, however, is the large sample size 129 765 participants. Workrelated illnesses and injuries include any illness or injury incurred by an employee engaged in workrelated activities while.
Health care workers can suffer from workrelated stress. Occupational stress is one of the major health hazards of the modern workplace in which cwa members are employed. Pdf health hazards among health care personnel researchgate. Occupational health hazards among health care workers in an. To assess the occupational health hazards faced by healthcare workers and the mitigation measures.
Occupational health services for health care workers in the. Assessment of occupational health safety and hazard. Women represent nearly 80% of the healthcare work force. Home healthcare workers are frequently exposed to a variety of potentially. It identified 58 studies with a total of 7,188 participants.
Section 5a1 of the occupational safety and health act of 1970. Occupational injuries and illnesses among registered nurses registered nurses often face workplace hazards while performing routine duties. Frequency and risk of occupational health and safety. Occupational injuries and illnesses among registered nurses. Public health open access nazanin izadi and reza piruznia. Dec 03, 2014 occupational health hazards or called as occupational diseases they are those diseases caused by the exposure to specific hazards at the workplace. Pdf occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in.
Physical hazards encountered in hospital working environment include temperature, illumination, noise, electrical injuries, and radiation. Jun 10, 2016 chemical hazards are present anytime workers are exposed chemical substances. Healthcare workers provide patient care in environments that are considered to be one of the most unsafe occupational settings 1,2. Hepatitis b virus infection is 95% preventable with vaccination, but less than 20% of health workers in some parts of the world have received all three doses required for immunity. However, there is dearth of information on the status of occupational safety among hospital workers in tanzania.
Occupational health hazards or called as occupational diseases they are those diseases caused by the exposure to specific hazards at the workplace. May 17, 2017 hospital workers are exposed to many occupational hazards that may threaten their health and safety. Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of occupational hazards. Cdc health care workers niosh workplace safety and health. Pdf on jan 1, 2017, nazanin izadi and others published occupational health hazards among health care workers find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Healthcare professionals are at most risk for this type of hazard. To assess the awareness of healthcare workers hcws about physical hazards in tanta university hospitals, this crosssectional study included 401 hcws. They exhibit a higherthan average risk of sustaining musculoskeletal disorders. Given the increased prevalence of chronic disease and health care costs, more individuals are treated in the home, which has augmented the demand for more home healthcare workers hhcws in the fie. These hazards include biological hazards, chemical hazards, ergonomic hazards, hazardous drugs, ionizing and nonionizing radiation, shift work, stress, and.
Occupational health hazards prevailing among healthcare workers. The occupational health hazards among health care workers in an obstetrics and gynaecology unit were investigated. Workplace injuries and illnesses among hospital workers reflect common risks of hospital jobs and differ by type of hospital. As the 201415 flu season approaches, flu vaccination is. Exposure to occupational health hazards among zambian workers.
As the 201415 flu season approaches, flu vaccination is an important practice. Infection prevention remains a major challenge in healthcare, but adhering to stringent occupational safety protocols in the workplace can thwart the spread of disease among both healthcare workers hcws and patients alike. Osh may also protect co workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment. Assessment of prevalence and determinants of occupational. Occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in kampala, uganda. Research article occupational health hazards among. The type and severity of their workplace injuries and illnesses differ by worker age and work environment. An occupational hazard is a hazard experienced in the workplace. Data on occupational hazards among healthcare workers and their mitigation measures remain scarce in most of subsaharan africa and uganda in particular. The question of occupational health and safety, as a global issue, is. Jun 06, 2019 preventing and mitigating occupational hazards among healthcare workers in subsaharan africa requires a systematic approach to providing occupational safety and health at the national, district and facility levels with careful integration into outbreak preparedness plans.
During 2007 alone, 27,400 recorded injuries occurred among more than 896,800 home healthcare workers. The occupational hazards of healthcare personnel in hospitals. Nonclinical health workers had significantly better use of safety measures compared to clinical health workers p pdf. Occupational health hazards among healthcare workers in. Occupational safety and health osh, also commonly referred to as health and safety, occupational health and safety ohs, occupational health, or occupational safety, is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work.
Safety and health topics long work hours, extended or. Chemical hazards are present anytime workers are exposed chemical substances. Occupational hazards can encompass many types of hazards, including chemical hazards, biological hazards biohazards, psychosocial hazards, and physical hazards. Assessment of occupational health safety and hazard among. Knowledge of respondents on occupational hazards in health care facilities. Biological hazards occurs due to working with people, animals or infectious. Occupational health and hazards among health care workers.
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