1. 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

2. 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

3. 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
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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.
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5. 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.
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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

9. 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?
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10. 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