12 Ways To Reduce Workplace Injuries in Healthcare

Medical and healthcare workplace injuries

Medical workplaces, such as hospitals and clinics, can present a number of specific hazards that can lead to workplace injuries. Examples include:

Needle stick injuries

Medical professionals are at risk of needle stick injuries from contaminated needles and other sharps. These injuries can lead to the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

Back injuries

Medical professionals are at risk of back injuries from lifting and transferring patients, as well as from prolonged standing and sitting in one position.

Slip, trip and fall injuries

Medical workplaces can be cluttered with equipment and can be slippery, especially in wet areas such as operating rooms and emergency departments.

Repetitive motion injuries

Medical professionals are at risk of repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, from performing repetitive tasks such as typing or drawing blood.

Exposure to hazardous materials

Medical professionals are at risk of exposure to hazardous materials, such as chemicals and radiation, that can lead to injuries such as skin irritations, chemical burns, and radiation sickness.

Violence

Medical workplaces can be stressful and can be at risk of violence from patients, family members, or visitors, which can lead to physical injuries and emotional stress.

Stress and burnout

Medical workplaces can be highly stressful, with long hours and high patient loads, which can lead to burnout and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. 

It’s important for medical workplaces to have policies, procedures and protocols in place to minimise the risk of these injuries and to protect the health and safety of employees and patients. The following list will help you do that.

12 things you can do to reduce medical workplace injuries

Some of these recommendations are specific to medical and healthcare workplaces, while others are applicable across other sectors.

1. Implement proper ergonomics

Implementing proper ergonomics in the workplace can help to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries such as back pain, neck pain, and repetitive strain injuries. This can include providing employees with ergonomic equipment such as adjustable chairs and desks and training employees on proper body mechanics and posture. This can help to ensure that employees are able to maintain good posture and alignment while performing their tasks, which can help to reduce the risk of injury.

2. Provide proper training

Proper training on the safe use of the equipment and the handling of hazardous materials can help to minimise the risk of workplace injuries. This can include training on infection control, proper lifting techniques, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). It’s important that employees are properly trained on the use of the equipment and are aware of the risks and hazards associated with their tasks.

3. Conduct regular safety audits

Conducting regular safety audits can help to identify and address potential hazards in the workplace. This can include assessing the condition of equipment, identifying slip and trip hazards, and assessing the adequacy of PPE. Safety audits can help to identify areas of risk and to develop strategies to prevent injuries.

4. Establish an incident reporting system

Establishing an incident reporting system can encourage employees to report any workplace injuries or accidents. This can help to identify patterns and trends and to develop strategies to prevent future injuries. It also allows organisations to track and monitor the performance of their safety programme.

5. Encourage employee participation

Encouraging employee participation in the development and implementation of safety policies and procedures can help to create a culture of safety, and to promote employee buy-in and ownership. By involving employees in the safety process, organisations can ensure that the needs of employees are taken into consideration and that employees are aware of their role in maintaining a safe workplace.

6. Implement an ergonomic programme

Organisations can implement an ergonomic programme that includes regular assessments of the physical demands of the job, modification of the work environment and equipment, and employee training. This can help to ensure that the work environment is designed to minimise the risk of injury and that employees have the tools and equipment they need to perform their tasks safely. An ergonomic programme can also include training on proper body mechanics, such as proper lifting techniques, and the use of assistive devices, such as lifting aids.

7. Use technology

Organisations in the medical sector can use technology such as video monitoring, wearables, and data analytics to identify areas of risk and monitor employee safety. This can include using cameras to monitor employee movements and to identify areas where injuries are more likely to occur, or using wearables to monitor employee movements and to identify areas of risk. Data analytics can also be used to identify patterns and trends in workplace injuries, which can help organisations to develop strategies to prevent future injuries. By using technology in this way, organisations can quickly identify and address areas of risk and can ensure that employees are safe and protected while on the job.

8. Implement safety protocols

Organisations should implement safety protocols and procedures to ensure that employees follow safe work practices and to minimise the risk of injury. This can include protocols for handling hazardous materials, procedures for responding to emergency situations, and guidelines for preventing the spread of infections. By having clear safety protocols in place, organisations can help to ensure that employees are aware of the risks associated with their tasks and that they are properly trained on how to perform their tasks safely.

9. Provide mental health support

Providing mental health support to employees can help to ensure that they can cope with the demands of the job and minimise the risk of burnout and other mental health issues. This can include providing access to counselling services, employee assistance programmes, or mental health helplines. By doing so, organisations can ensure that employees are able to maintain their mental well-being and that they are able to perform their tasks safely and effectively.

10. Encourage regular breaks

Encouraging employees to take regular breaks can help to reduce the risk of burnout and to maintain their overall well-being. This can include encouraging employees to take short breaks during their shift, or to take time off to rest and recharge. By giving employees the opportunity to take regular breaks, organisations can help to ensure that employees are able to maintain their energy levels and perform their tasks safely and effectively.

11. Provide appropriate PPE

Providing employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can minimise the risk of injury. This can include items such as gloves, gowns, masks, and goggles, to protect employees from exposure to infectious agents, hazardous chemicals or other physical hazards. In providing employees with the appropriate PPE, organisations can ensure that they are protected while on the job and that they are able to perform their tasks safely.

12. Regularly review and update policies

Regularly review and update policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-to-date and effective in minimising the risk of workplace injury. This can include reviewing policies related to ergonomics, infection control, and emergency preparedness, to ensure that they are current and align with best practices.

How ISO standards and training can help

ISO standards and training can help reduce accidents in the workplace by providing organisations with a framework for implementing effective safety and health management systems.

ISO 45001

This ISO standard provides requirements for an occupational health and safety management system and can help organisations identify, assess and control health and safety risks in the workplace. Find out more about ISO45001.

ISO 31000

This ISO standard provides guidelines for risk management, which can be used to identify and assess risks in the workplace, and to develop strategies to mitigate those risks.

ISO 9001

This ISO standard provides requirements for a quality management system, which can be used to improve overall performance, including safety and health performance. Find out more about ISO9001.

ISO 14001

This ISO standard provides requirements for an environmental management system, which can be used to identify and assess environmental risks and hazards in the workplace, and to develop strategies to mitigate those risks. Find out more about ISO 14001. 

ISO standards and training can help organisations to:

• Identify and assess risks in the workplace
• Implement effective controls to mitigate those risks
• Continuously improve their safety and health performance
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Improve overall performance and reputation.

By implementing ISO standards and providing training to employees, organisations can create a culture of safety and help to reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace.