Chapter 10 Health, Safety, and Preparedness Hazard Analysis for a Healthy and Safe Workplace Preparedness for Workplace Disasters Safety and Preparedness Requirements Measuring Workplace Safety and Preparedness Evaluating Safety Program Effectiveness Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press Introduction Healthcare organizations report more illnesses and injuries than any other type of organization—more than 264,300 cases in 2006. Workplace injuries have generally trended down, whereas disaster-related injuries and facility damage have risen because man-made and natural disasters have grown in scale, number, and impact. Healthcare organizations are held to a different standard and are expected to be disaster-resistant and to continue functioning during and after a disaster. Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Major Influences on Employee Health (with examples) Institution’s willingness to provide a healthy and safe workplace Noise level, ergonomics, employee violence, safety guidelines A positive cultural and social environment Work–family balance, workplace equity, staff morale, communication Programs that promote healthy lifestyle practices Hygiene, stress management, physical activities, alcohol and drug use prevention Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press Hazard Analysis Hazard analysis is a method used to assess risk in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends completion of a job hazard analysis. Involves identifying workplace hazards and prioritizing the hazardous jobs Hazards are many, including biological, chemical, physical, and stress related. Based on this analysis, organizations should develop a workplace safety program. Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Characteristics of Effective Safety Programs Screen prospective employees for prior safety issues (e.g., driving records). Maintain clean and safe work areas. Manage safety by observing workplace practices and listening to employee concerns. Expect employees to work safely, rather than finding and punishing minor infractions. Provide incentives for workplace safety. Incorporate safety messages into all staff meetings. Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Preparedness for Workplace Disasters Disasters can affect the organization in two ways: By affecting the facility itself By affecting the availability of workers but not the facility Workers themselves may be the victims of disasters A planning safety team: Encourages awareness and employee investment in the planning process Increases the amount of time and energy that participants are willing to commit to safety Enhance the visibility and stature of the planning process Provides a broad perspective on preparedness Safety planning teams should prepare for two types of disasters: Disasters that occur within the facility and disrupt normal operations Disasters that occur in the community, resulting in mass casualty events and leading to a surge in demand Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Business Continuity Planning Processes and procedures to ensure that essential functions can continue during and after an accident, a disaster, an emergency, or a threat Goal is to provide temporary infrastructure, information technology functions, customer service, and staffing Planning must also prepare for surge capability A disaster operations plan addresses at a minimum Administration and logistics Communications Community outreach Direction and control Life safety Property protection Recovery and restoration Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Safety and Preparedness Requirements The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established standards to address: Hazard communication Blood-borne pathogens Ionizing radiation Exit routes Electrical systems Emergency action plans Fire safety Medical and first aid Personal and protective equipment Ergonomics The Joint Commission also has established guidelines covering such areas as patient rights, patient treatment, and infection control. Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Measuring Workplace Safety and Preparedness Have safety objectives been achieved? Where is the institution now in controlling hazards and risks? How does the institution compare with others? Is the institution getting better or worse? Is the institution’s management of health and safety effective, reliable, and efficient? Is the health and safety management system implemented across the organization? Is the organization’s culture supportive of health and safety? Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press

Measures for Evaluating Program Effectiveness Improved morale Enhancement of retention and recruitment strategies Decrease in benefit costs, such as medical costs Growth in productivity Reduced absenteeism Positive financial results Boost of the corporate image Copyright 2011 Health Administration Press