1. Chapter 13
Promotion of Safety

2. Safety for Healthcare workers

3. 13:1 Using Body Mechanics
Body Mechanics refers to the way you move your body and keep your balance
Good body mechanics keeps you safe and prevents injury
Your Muscles work best when they are used correctly
Correct use of muscles makes lifting, pulling, and pushing easier
Prevents unnecessary fatigue and strain and saves energy
Prevents injury to self and others
Body Mechanics refers to the way you move and keep your balance . Using body mechanic correctly keeps you safe and prevents injury.

4. Rules of Good Body Mechanics
Maintain a broad base of support
A broad base would be your feet shoulder length apart and 1 foot slightly in front and keep your back straight
Bend from the hips and knees to get close to an object
Always use the strongest muscles to do the job (shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs) (the back is one of the weakest)
Use the weight of your body to help push or pull an object
Carry heavy objects close to the body
A broad base would be your feet shoulder length apart and 1 foot slightly in front. Keep your back straight to prevent strain. The strongest muscles are the shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs. Your back muscles are one of the weakest
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5. Rules of Good Body Mechanics (continued)
Avoid twisting your body as you work
Avoid bending for long periods of time
Get help if a patient or object is too heavy to lift alone
Use assistive equipment when needed (e.g., mechanical lifts, transfer [gait] belts, wheelchairs)

6. 13:2 Preventing Accidents and Injuries
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Establishes and enforces safety standards in the workplace
Two main standards that affect health care:
The Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard
This means that employers must inform their employees of hazardous chemicals in the workplace and provide Material Safety Data Sheets (safety information for each chemical) see pg. 337
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
Protection from exposure to body fluids (What would be one easy way to protect yourself from body fluids?)
Body fluids can carry Hepatitis B and C, and AIDS
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7. Preventing Accidents and Injuries (continued)
Both of these standards affect health care workers:
The Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard
Health care workers often work around hazardous chemicals
The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
Health care workers come in contact with body Fluids regularly
What are some body fluids you may come in contact with as a health care worker?

8. Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
The Standard requires employers to inform employees of all chemicals and hazards in workplace
All manufacturers must provide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with any hazardous product they sell
Specific information has to be provided on the MSDS

9. Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
Contains mandates to protect health care providers from diseases caused by exposure to body fluids
Diseases that can be contracted by exposure to body fluids include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and AIDS

10. Ergonomics
Applied science to promote the safety and well-being of a person by adapting the environment and using techniques to prevent injuries
In more simple terms, this is setting up your room/desk/work space so that you can work more easily.
“work smarter not harder” (ex. If your job requires a lot of typing, you could use a wrist support)

11. Components of Ergonomics
Correct placement of furniture and equipment
Training in muscle movements
Efforts to avoid repetitive motions
An awareness of the environment to prevent injuries
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12. Components of Ergonomics (continued)
Use Ergonomics to Prevent accidents or injury
Centers around people and the immediate environment
Health care worker must follow safety regulations
Remember, health care workers have a legal responsibility to also protect the patient from harm and injury. Ex. Setting up the patients room so they are able to get to the restroom easily

13. Lab Safety Carefully handle all sharps
Dispose of Sharps in the correct sharps container
Do not handle anything without gloves
Wash your hands immediately after touching lab materials
No Running/ long hair must be put up

14. Equipment and Solutions Regulations
Do not operate or use any equipment until you have been trained on how to use it
What are some examples of healthcare equipment?
Read and follow operating instructions
Report any damaged or malfunctioning equipment immediately
Do not use frayed or damaged electrical cords
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15. Equipment and Solutions Regulations (continued)
Observe all safety rules
If there is a chemical spill a healthcare worker would read the MSDS before cleaning.
Never use solutions that are from unlabeled bottles (why is this?)
Read labels at least three times
Do not mix solutions together unless instructed to do so (why not do this?)

16. Patient/Resident Safety Regulations
Healthcare workers do not perform any procedures on patients unless instructed and properly authorized
Provide privacy for all patients
Identify their patients
Explain the procedure
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17. Patient/Resident Safety Regulations (continued)
Healthcare workers observe the patient closely during any procedures
Check all areas for safety hazards
Observe all safety checkpoints

18. Personal Safety Regulations
Responsible to protect yourself and others from injury
Use correct body mechanics
Wear the required uniform
Walk; do not run
Report any injury or accident
Unsafe situations need to be reported
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19. Personal Safety Regulations (continued)
Keep all areas neat and clean
Wash hands frequently
Dry hands thoroughly before handling electrical equipment
Wear eye protection or safety glasses when appropriate
Observe all safety precautions
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20. Personal Safety Regulations (continued)
If any solution comes in contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with cool water and report
If particle gets in eyes, report immediately, do not try to remove or rub eye

21. 13:3 Observing Fire Safety
Fire requires
Oxygen—found in the air
Fuel—any material that will burn
Heat—sparks, matches, flames
Causes of fires
Carelessness
Overloaded circuits
Frayed electrical wires
Smoking
Intentional

22. Classes of Fire Extinguishers
Classified and labeled according to kind of fire they extinguish
Main classes: A, B, C, and D
Class A: for combustibles such as paper, cloth, plastic, or wood
Class B: for flammable or combustible liquids which include gasoline, paint, grease, or cooking fat
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23. Classes of Fire Extinguishers (continued)
Class C: for electrical fires such as fuse boxes, appliances, wiring, and electrical outlets (the C stands for non-conductive)
Class D: for burning or specific combustible metals

24. Types of Fire Extinguishers
The main types include:
Have you ever wondered what was in a fire extinguisher?
Water
Carbon dioxide
Dry chemical
Halon

25. Rules in Case of Fire Remain calm; do not panic RACE
R: rescue anyone in immediate danger
A: activate the alarm
C: confine the fire
E: extinguish the fire

26. Operating a Fire Extinguisher
PASS
P-Pull the pin
A-Aim
S- spray
S-sweep

27. Preventing Fires Be alert to causes of fires
Correct situations that lead to fires
Obey “no smoking” signs
Extinguish matches, cigarettes, and any flammable items completely
Dispose of all waste materials in proper containers
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28. Preventing Fires (continued)
Handle electrical equipment carefully
Store flammable materials in proper containers and in a safe area
If flammable liquid spilled, clean up immediately
Do not allow clutter to accumulate
When oxygen is in use, observe special precautions (keep away from open flame)

29. Summary
Health care workers are legally responsible for familiarizing themselves with disaster policies
Preventing fires is everyone’s concern
Be alert to causes of fires and take measures to prevent them
Know policies to follow in case of fire

30. Demonstration of Proper Body Mechanics

31. Usage of Gloves
Gloves are a valuable safety tool for health care workers.
Gloves protect from contact with body fluids
There is a proper way to take gloves off to ensure that fluids do not come in contact with your skin