Occupational needs/problems (inc. hazards) Occupational nurses are uniquely qualified to assess and treat illnesses and injuries.

Occupational nurses must have the appropriate licensure, registration, or certification. Additionally, they should have occupational health experience and expertise in management and be available on a full- or part-time basis, depending on the nature and size of worksite. Nursing is a hazardous occupation. Work-related problems among a sample of nurses in the Philippines are collected. Cross-sectional data were collected through a selfadministered survey during the Philippine Nurses Association convention. Measures included four categories: work-related demographics, occupational injury/illness, reporting behavior, and safety concerns. Approximately 40% of nurses had experienced at least one injury or illness in the past year, and 80% had experienced back pain. Most who had an injury did not report it. The top ranking concerns were stress and overwork. Filipino nurses encounter considerable health and safety concerns that are similar to those encountered by nurses in other countries. Occupational injuries and illnesses among nurses are well documented in Western, developed countries. The key safety issues impacting this work force include needlestick injuries, workplace violence, and musculoskeletal injuries related to patient handling. More recently, concerns about workload, work hours, job stress, and fatigue have emerged. These health issues are important not only for nurses themselves, but also because they may contribute to work force shortages by prompting nurses to leave the profession. Occupational Hazards: Physical Exposure to radiation from x-ray and radioisotope sources. Mechanical Burns and scalds from contact with hot sterilizing equipment or hot water and steam pipes. Slips, trips, and falls on wet floors, especially during emergency situations, after fires, or after chemical accidents. Stabs and cuts from sharp objects, especially needle-sticks and cuts by blades. Electrical shock from faulty or improperly grounded equipment, or equipment with faulty insulation. Injuries to legs and toes caused by falling objects, e.g., medical instruments Injuries in the aftermath of major industrial accidents, e.g., from collapsing walls or debris, broken glass, dispersed chemicals, gases or vapors in the air, fire or explosions, loose electrical conduits, etc.

Chemical Latex allergy caused by exposure to natural latex gloves and other latexcontaining medical devices. Chronic poisoning because of long-term exposure to medications, sterilizing fluids (e.g., glutaraldehyde), anesthetic gases, etc. Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat because of exposure to airborne aerosols or contact with droplets of washing and cleaning liquids. Skin defatting, irritation, and dermatoses because of frequent use of soaps, detergents, disinfectants, etc. Ergonomic Strained relations with employees requesting unnecessary medications or unjustified sick leave, etc. Stress, strained family relations, and burnout due to shift-work, night work, overtime work, and contact with accident victims. Fatigue and lower back pain due to unassisted handling of heavy accident victims or other unconscious patients. Exposure to severely traumatized patients, multiple victims of a disaster or catastrophic event or severely violent patients may lead to post-traumatic stress syndrome.