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Nurses Station Module  


    

Modules

Bloodborne
   Pathogens

Dietary

Ergonomics

Laundry

Maintenance

Nurses Station
Pharmacy
Tuberculosis
Utility
Whirlpool/Shower
Workplace Violence

Some administrative issues are addressed in the nurses station module for convenience.


Click on the area for more specific information.Hazards found in the nurses station
Egress - Fire Safety Recordkeeping Safety and Health Plan OSHA Poster OSHA 200 Log

Common safety and health topics: 



Safety and Health Program

Among U.S. Industries, Nursing Homes have the third highest rate of nonfatal illness or injury, 16.8 injuries per 100 workers. 

Hazard

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Exposure to unsafe workplaces due to an ineffective safety and health program.

Example Controls

OSHA has noted a strong correlation between effective safety and health programs and a low incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses. Therefore, it is recommended that facilities develop and manage a safety and health program appropriate for the potential hazards present at their site.  The different modules of this eCAT suggest specific topics to address. The main elements of a safety and health program include:

  • Management Leadership and Employee Participation.
  • Workplace Analysis.
  • Accident and Record Analysis.
  • Hazard Prevention and Control.
  • Safety and Health Training.
  • Regular Program Review.

Additional Information

 

 

Egress and Fire Safety

Hazard

Possible fire safety hazards from:

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Example Controls

Employers must comply with OSHA Standards on Means of Egress 1910 Subpart E, including:

  • A minimum of 2 exits-or means of egress, required [1910.36(b)(8)].
  • Exits must be clearly marked [1910.36(b)(5)].
  • Access to exits, must remain clear of obstructions at all times [(b)(4)].

Employers need to comply with OSHA Standard 1910.38 Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Protection Plans. See Dietary Fire Safety Module for further discussion of OSHA requirements.

  • Address emergency evacuation with special consideration to evacuating physically impaired patients. 
  • Review emergency evacuation plans with employees initially, or whenever responsibilities or plan changes [1910.38(a)(5)(ii)(A)].

Construction or Maintenance Operation Areas:

  • Any area under construction or under maintenance must:
    • Continuously maintain existing exits and any existing fire protection, or other measures which provide equivalent safety [1910.36(c)(2)].
    • Not be occupied in whole or in part until all exits required for that part are completed and ready for use [1910.36(c)(1)].
    • Have travel from exits to outside continuously free and clear of obstruction [1910.36(d)(1)].

Additional Information

 

 

Recordkeeping

According to the OSH Act of 1970 "each employer shall make, keep and preserve, and make available to the Secretary or the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, such records regarding his activities relating to this Act as the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, may prescribe by regulation as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of this Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational accidents and illnesses."

Hazard

Animated Arrow Employers not maintaining records which help:

  • Document trends in illness and injury. 

  • Develop information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational accidents and illnesses.

Example Controls

Comply with OSHA Recordkeeping Standards:

  • Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses [1904]. 
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  • OSHA 101 Log: Supplementary Record of Occupational Injuries & Illnesses.

Additional Information

 

 

Recordkeeping for Bloodborne Pathogens

Hazard

Non compliance with the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard recordkeeping requirements.

Example Controls

The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard [1910.1030], requires both medical and training records be maintained [1910.1020].

Medical Records must be preserved and maintained for each employee with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens [1910.1030(h)(1)].
  • For at least the duration of employment plus 30 years, and must be kept confidential (not disclosed without written permission of employee, except by law) and separate from other personnel records and must also include:
    • The employee's name and social security number, hepatitis B vaccination status, including the dates of vaccination and medical records related to the employee's ability to receive vaccinations.
  • If an exposure incident occurs, reports are added to the medical record to document the incident, including testing results following the incident, follow-up procedures, and the written opinion of the health care professional.
Training Records: Employers must establish and maintain a training record for all exposed employees for 3 years, from the date the training occurred which includes [ 1910.1030(h)(2)]
  • The names and job titles of all persons attending the training sessions, the dates, and content of the training sessions, and the trainer's name and qualifications.
  • If the employer ceases to do business:
    • Training and medical records must be transferred to the next employer or successor employer.
    • If there is no successor employer, the employer must notify the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for specific directions for the records at least 3 months prior to intended disposal.
  • Both medical and training records must be available to [1910.1030(h)(3)(ii)]:
    • Director of NIOSH.
    • Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
    • Employees or employee representatives (someone having written consent of the employee).

Additional Information

  • Bloodborne Pathogens and Acute Care Facilities, Recordkeeping OSHA Publication 3128 (1992).

 

 

Employer and Employee Rights

Hazard

Employers and employees are not aware of their rights related to workplace safety.

Example Controls

Protecting Nursing Home Workers OSHA's Safety and Health Response. A slide presentation used in OSHA's nursing home outreach seminars has sections which include employer and employee rights.
Employer Rights and Responsibilities following an OSHA Inspection. OSHA Publication 3000, revised (1999). Describes employer rights and responsibilities under the OSH act of 1970.

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  • OSHA Poster 2203: Job Safety and Health Protection Poster, that is required to be posted in the workplace, provides employee responsibilities and rights.
    • OSHA Poster, summarizes the major provisions of the OSHA Act of 1970 and tells employees how to file a complaint.
    • OSHA requires employers to display the OSHA Poster in a conspicuous place where notices to employees are customarily posted [1903.2].

Resident Rights:

Beyond the scope of this eCat are the issues of resident rights, for more information on this topic see:

 

 


 

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