How Does OSHA Protect Healthcare Workers?

When discussing workplace safety, most people think about factory workers, miners, electricians, and other hazardous occupations. The fact is, however, that hospitals and other healthcare facilities are actually one of the most dangerous workplaces around. There are many reasons for this including the fact that these facilities are filled with people with contagious diseases, dangerous instruments, and sometimes unpredictable patients. This is why OSHA puts a lot of resources toward protecting healthcare workers. 

To start with, OSHA has created a full suite of resources that are designed specifically for those who work in the healthcare industry. These resources include information, training options, instructions on how to work with patients, workplace violence programs, and much more. 

In addition, OSHA has many policies in place that require hospitals to take a proactive approach when it comes to protecting workers. Fortunately, most hospitals and other healthcare facilities do a good job of implementing these types of things. You may have seen examples of safety standards that are enforced by OSHA, including keeping sharp instruments secured, special boxes for used needles, floor markings for equipment, and much more. 

Anyone who operates a healthcare facility, or works in one, should work hard to keep up to date on all that OSHA does to help keep them safe. Putting safety first is the best way to ensure workers, patients, and the facilities as a whole are able to remain protected as much as possible.