1. Environmental Safety
Med Foundations
HES 100

2. Environmental Safety
Identifying and correcting potential hazards that can cause accidents and injuries
Ex: faulty wiring, slippery floors, infectious waste
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

3. General Guidelines Focus on PREVENTION! Moving safely Dressing Safely
Working Safely
Protecting self and others
Reporting
Workplace violence

4. Moving Safely Never run, even in an emergency Stay to the right
Remove rugs from floors
Open doors slowly
Use handrails at stairs
Never carry uncapped syringes or sharp instruments in hallways or between rooms

5. Dressing for Safety Wear long hair tied back
Do not wear earrings that extend beyond earlobe
Wear closed-toe shoes with no more than a 1” heel
Limit jewelry to smooth wedding band
Keep fingernails short

6. Working Safely with Patients
Do not perform any procedure on patients until you have received adequate training and do not alter the correct procedure
Observe and note conditions in patients that might increase their risk of an accident
Be positive you have the correct patient
Verify consent

7. Protecting Yourself
Do not place food in a refrigerator that contains lab specimens or medications
Keep floors clean

8. Reporting for Safety Report any unsafe conditions immediately
Report any accidents or injuries immediately
Fill out incident report
Written document completed when patient, employee or any other person is harmed
Factual information WITHOUT the patients name

9. Fire triangle 3 elements necessary for fire risk:
Fuel – something that will burn
Heat – enough to make the fuel burn
Oxygen – to feed the fire
These three make up the Fire triangle
If one of these elements is missing, fire will not occur
Removal of one of these things will stop the fire

10. Types of Fire Extinguishers
Most common is the ABC
Capable of putting out all types of fires except combustible metal fires

11. Fire and Electrical Hazards
Familiarize yourself with fire policies/procedures BEFORE there is a fire
Stay calm
Know location of fire alarms and extinguishers
P – pull the pin
A – aim at the base of the fire
S – Squeeze the handle
S – Sweep back and forth along the base of the fire

13. When fire emergency occurs
RACE
R – rescue (everyone leaves the scene)
A – alarm (pull fire alarm)
C – contain (close windows and doors)
E – evacuate (move out of immediate danger)
E – extinguish (if fire is small, you may be able to put it out with an extinguisher

14. What not to do in a fire Leave a client alone Use an elevator
Open windows
Open doors without feeling the door first

15. Chemical Hazards
Many chemicals in healthcare (cleaning solutions, anesthesia, chemotherapy drugs)
Do not use container if not properly labeled
Recheck label 3 times
Avoid contact with eyes and skin and do not inhale
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
Do not pour out toxic chemicals down drain

16. If chemical comes into contact with eyes/skin
Rinse immediately under cool water for at least 5 minutes
Splash the eye or get to an eyewash for at least 5 minutes
Report any accidents to supervisor immediately

17. Review Questions
What is OSHA and how does it affect the health care profession?
How does the CDC take part in the safety of the healthcare worker?
List three safety practices related to equipment and environment.
List three safety practices related to caring for clients.
List the 3 elements necessary for a fire to occur.
Explain how these elements interact with each other to produce a fire.
Determine the order which you would evacuate the following:
A. Client A who uses a walker
B. Client B who is in a wheelchair
A visitor of client A who is ambulatory
Client D who is in a coma