INTRODUCTION:
Healthcare professionals are frequently tasked with providing care to people who have workplace injuries or illnesses.
In the United States, workplace the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) enforces safety standards and provides training, outreach, education, and assistance to employers. OSHA’s mission is to ensure that employees work in safe and healthy environments.
To learn more about OSHA visit the website: OSHA Website: Home | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)
MAJOR WORKPLACE HAZARD CATEGORIES include:
Safety Hazards – slips, trips, falls, faulty equipment
Physical Hazards – noise, temperature extremes, radiation
Ergonomic Hazards – repetition, lifting, awkward postures, etc.
Chemical & Dust Hazards – cleaning products, pesticides, asbestos, etc.
Biological Hazards – mold, insects/pests, communicable diseases
Work organization hazards – workload, work pace, social, emotional, mental, etc.
Click this link or download the OSHA Occupational Hazard Chart to review examples of workplace safety and health hazards.
ALTERNATE DFC ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete each of the following tasks.
Prepare a slide presentation to summarize your efforts and findings for each of the tasks outlined below.
There is no specific number of slides you need for this presentation; however, you need to clearly address each of the Tasks. We recommend between 10-12 slides. You do not need to include speaker’s notes, but you can if you wish to provide additional detail. Graphics and pictures always make a presentation more visually appealing. If you include photographs, be sure to seek permission if it is private property and/or from anyone whose face is visible in any photo.
TASKS
1. Identify and describe at least two (2) workplaces in your community that you can visit as a member of the community.
Examples include retail, restaurants, office buildings, movie theaters, city parks, campgrounds, public libraries, hotels, travel rest areas, theme parks, golf courses, other publicly accessible buildings, or a construction site that is viewable from a distance without entering the actual job site. Do not enter restricted areas or private property without written permission.
2. Spend approximately 30 – 60 minutes in each location observing the workplace environment for potential safety and health hazards monitored by OSHA. Be sure to include a description of how you used the time spent at each location in your assignment presentation.
3. Identify at least one potential safety or health hazard you observe at each site. For each safety or health hazard complete the following:
(Note: If you do not observe any potential safety or health hazards at the site you choose, find another location where you do observe hazards.)
Describe the hazard or potential hazard you observe.
Describe the type of hazard as it would be categorized by OSHA. Refer to the Major OSHA categories above.
Describe or predict the injury or illness that could occur as a result of the hazard.
Recommend the type of health care someone who became ill or was injured would need.
Provide detailed information on healthcare facilities in the vicinity that can assist individuals affected by potential hazards.
4. Analyze the healthcare facilities in your community on their capacity to provide medical assistance to those who may fall ill or get injured at work.
5. A worker who is injured or ill cannot find the appropriate health care in your vicinity. Suggest the nearest city or town where they can receive the necessary medical attention. Explain why you recommend this particular location.
