The following OSHA standards for healthcare are some of the most common safety standards that are likely to apply to your facility:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- Hazard Communication Standard
- Personal Protective Equipment Standard
- Ionizing Radiation Standard
- Medical and First Aid Standard
- Fire Safety Standard
- Emergency Action Plan Standard
- Exit Routes Standards
- Electrical Standards
Review all of OSHA’s standards and directives related to work environments in the healthcare industry to create a comprehensive list of all of the requirements that may apply to your facility. Depending on the services provided at your facility, you may need to address specific guidelines, like the standard for ergonomic hazards and respiratory protective equipment.
DEVELOP A HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM SUITED TO YOUR FACILITY
Once you’ve identified the OSHA healthcare standards that are relevant for your facility, it’s time to develop and implement a proactive health and safety program. Such programs have been proven to reduce workplace hazards in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Refer to the following OSHA recommended practices to get started:
- Set aside the resources required to implement and carry out the health and safety program.
- Encourage all levels of management to make health and safety a top priority by setting goals and objectives and by providing adequate resources to employees.
- Investigate all health and safety incidents to determine the root cause of the problem.
- Implement procedures for continually identifying health and safety hazards.
- Evaluate all control measures for effectiveness on a regular basis.
- Establish procedures to monitor the effectiveness of your health and safety program.
- Take any necessary actions to improve the program and mitigate health and safety risks.
