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Some administrative issues are addressed in the nurses station module for
convenience.
Click
on the area for more specific information.
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.
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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
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Egress
and Fire Safety |
Hazard
Possible fire safety
hazards from:
Example
Controls
Employers must comply with OSHA Standards on Means
of Egress 1910 Subpart E,
including:
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A minimum of 2 exits-or means of egress, required [1910.36(b)(8)].
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Exits must be clearly marked [1910.36(b)(5)].
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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.
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Address emergency
evacuation with special consideration to evacuating physically
impaired patients.
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Review emergency
evacuation plans with employees initially, or whenever responsibilities
or plan changes [1910.38(a)(5)(ii)(A)].
Construction or Maintenance Operation
Areas:
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Any area under construction or
under maintenance
must:
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Continuously maintain existing exits and any
existing fire protection, or other measures which provide equivalent
safety [1910.36(c)(2)].
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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)].
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Have travel from exits to outside continuously free
and clear of obstruction [1910.36(d)(1)].
Additional Information
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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
Example
Controls
Comply with OSHA
Recordkeeping Standards:
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- Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses [1904].
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- OSHA 200 Log: Log and Summary of
Occupational Illnesses & Injuries:
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- OSHA 101 Log:
Supplementary
Record of Occupational Injuries & Illnesses.
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Additional Information
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Recordkeeping
for Bloodborne Pathogens
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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).
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