SAFETY RULES AND PRACTICES

General Safety
 Know the job safety requirements.
 Know how to contact the Safety Director.
 If you cannot correct unsafe problems or concerns, report them to your supervisor
immediately.
 Read thoroughly all safety material distributed to you.
 Be certain that all instructions are clearly understood before starting a task.
 Avoid horseplay, and avoid distracting others.
 Do not sacrifice safety for the sake of completing a task hurriedly.
 Always use handrails on stairs.
 Drive defensively, wear seat belts and obey speed limits.
 Report all injuries to your supervisor.
 Do not report to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Ergonomics and Workplace Safety

 Learn to lift and handle material safely. Do not hesitate to ask for help in lifting heavy
loads. Always push rather than pull a load.
 Keep walking surfaces free from tripping hazards. Keep work areas dry, clean, and
orderly.
 Do not leave desk and file cabinet drawers open.
 Open one file drawer at a time. Place heavier draws at the bottom of the cabinet.
 The top of the computer monitor should not be higher than the user’s eyes for normal
vision.
 The screen and document holder should be the same distance from the eye and at the
same level to avoid constant changes in focus and close enough together so the operator
can look from one to the other without excessive movement of the neck and back.
 The preferred working position for most keyboard operators is with the forearms parallel
to the floor and elbows at the sides.
 The mouse should be positioned a the operator’s side with his or her arm close to the
body for support, while maintaining a straight line between the hand and forearm.
 Do not use office furniture or other objects instead of a ladder. Inspect ladders before use.
Be certain they are in good repair and of the correct height.

Protective Equipment
 Use appropriate respirators when working with hazardous materials.
 Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face-shield when there is a risk of eye injury.
 Never do a task or operate equipment without the required personal protective equipment.
 Wear hard hats when there is a head hazard that exists.
 Wear substantial shoes when walking on rough or uneven surfaces. Steel- toed shoes are
required when working around heavy loads that could fall on feet.
 Wear appropriate gloves to prevent cuts and protect from hazardous materials.
 Wear shoes with slip resistant soles that provide maximum surface traction.

Equipment Safety

 Operate only equipment for which you are qualified and authorized.
 DO not wear jewelry or loose clothing around machinery or equipment.
 Do not use defective or unguarded equipment. Report the condition to your supervisor.
 Ensure that machine safety guards are always in place when operating equipment.
 Maintain hand tools in good repair. Inspect them regularly.
 Top heavy equipment should be properly anchored to the floor.
 All pedestal/bench grinders should be properly adjusted tongue guards, tool rests, and
peripheral spindle guards.
 Shield ventilation and exhaust fan blades with mesh (1/2 inch in diameter or smaller)
when fans have been installed within seven feet of the work area floor.
 Do not use powered industrial trucks/forklifts that are defective in any manner (horn,
brakes, etc.)
 Do not use powder actuated tools unless are trained and have the operator’s card in you
wallet at the time of equipment operation.

Hazardous Materials

 Separate compressed gas cylinders by type when storing them, and secure with valve
protective caps in place. Separate oxygen cylinders from fuel gases by 20 feet.
 Post “NO SMOKING” signs near all flammable liquids.
  Report chemical spills to appropriate personnel. All spills should be cleaned up
according to the Safety Data Sheet.
 Store flammable liquids such as fuels and solvents (paint thinner) in approved
safety cans. Store only the appropriate quantity.
 Make sure all chemicals are handled according to the Safety Data Sheet.

Electrical Safety

 Use portable electric tools should be grounded or double insulated and GFCI
protected.
 Ground all fixed electrical equipment.
 Extension cords cannot be used as permanent means of wiring. All cords must be
free of defect and without splices.
 Always put live electrical parts in proper enclosures and under no condition use
exposed electrical parts.

Refer to Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry (29 CFR
1910, or for Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926) for more detailed and/or specific
regulation information. http://www.osha.gov

Safety precautions for public health facilities

1. Safety precautions while cleaning
2. Storage of housekeeping articles / material
3. Personal protection equipment / gear to be worn by the housekeeping staff
4. Specifications of Personal Protective Equipment

Safety precautions while cleaning

Safety / accident prevention measures should be implemented to avoid accidental fall among
patients and visitors, as well as protecting the staff. Few such measures are mentioned below -

1. The ideal time to clean the facility is when patients / visitors are not present. If however
this is not possible then they should be requested,to step aside or wait outside for the
duration of the cleaning.
2. Avoid wet and slippery floors.

3. Use appropriate / cautionary signage

4. Arrange furniture for easy movements of the patients to avoid accidents.
5. Pay attention while cleaning the electrical switchboards. Do not sprinkle water / liquids
on the electrical connections.
Storage of housekeeping articles / material

1. Storage place for housekeeping materials should be earmarked to enable easy

accessibility to the housekeeping staffs. The daily usable supplies should remain in the
closets provided in that area which should be maintained clean, odour free and dry.
The equipment and storage closet should be cleaned every week.
2. The toilet cleaning materials should be stored in a separate place. Store the
disinfectants and cleaning chemicals separately.
3. This should be controlled by the housekeeping supervisor who must check the store
once a week if not daily with the aim of checking the stock and serviceability of the
equipment / chemicals and should replace / replenish them respectively if required.
4. The used wet mops and cleaning cloths should be washed every day and dried.They
should not be left soiled and wet.
5. Brooms are best left standing upside down on its handle so that the water drains away
from the bristles.

Personal protection equipment / gear to be worn by the

housekeeping staff

Healthcare workers, more so the facility’s housekeeping staff, must take precautions and use
personal protection in the hospital to counter the risk of contracting disease.

The following personal protection equipment should be used by the housekeeping staff:
 Clothing – wearing of aprons over the personal clothing and / or dungarees to protect direct
skin contact with the waste. Rubber aprons should be worn wherever liquid waste is being
handled.
 Wearing of masks when exposed to dust and allergens. Cloth masks should be used since
they can be washed and reused and are more economical in the long run.
  Water proof gloves / Heavy duty gloves should be worn specially when handling biomedical
and potentially infectious waste.
 Gumboots or rubber shoes should be worn when handling biomedical / wet waste.
 Protective eye goggles should be worn to avoid the splashing of eyes with infectious /body
fluids.
 The specifications of various protective items as laid down by the BIS are as follows :
Specifications of Personal Protective Equipment

Article BIS standards Remarks When Used

Gloves rubber IS 6994 (Pt 1):1973 Household utility gloves can Handling disinfectant cleaning
also be used

Gum boots / IS 13695 : 1995 Cleaning patient areas,Cleaning

rubber shoes heavily contaminated areas
Handling or disposing waste

Apron Cloth IS 5029: 1979 When spills or splashes are

expected

Apron Rubber IS 4892:1987 / ISO 5235:1977 Alternatively Rubber aprons

Synthetic rubber aprons (reinforced) for labour rooms can be
for drafting systems (first revision) used. IS 4501:1981

Face mask IS 6190: 1971

Respiratory full IS 14166 : 1994 For continuous exposure at

face masks waste disposal sites /plants

https://vikaspedia.in/health/sanitation-and-hygiene

Safety for Hospital Housekeepers

 

RELATED

Hospital housekeepers work in a potentially dangerous environment every day, and

knowing how to stay safe can help them to avoid potential hazards. Each person should
take safety seriously and do her part to minimize risk. A conscious awareness of safety
precautions can prevent injury and illness for workers and help to promote good health for
the hospital’s patients. Managerial staff, including head housekeepers, must communicate
the importance of safety to each worker to promote the best possible environment for
everybody.
Chemicals
Housekeepers must be familiar with all chemicals that they work with or near. This
includes knowing the location and use of Material Safety Data Sheets, or MSDS,
informational documents created by the importer or manufacturer of each chemical
product. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA,
these are an important source of information about the safe handling of chemicals used in
the hospital; OSHA requires the presence of an MSDS for all potentially hazardous
chemicals present in the facility. Housekeepers must know where everything is stored and
always return chemical containers to their proper places. They should also be aware of
potentially hazardous interactions between substances, such as oxygen and other volatile
gases, and report concerns immediately.

Floors
Spills create a potential hazard for slips and falls, and can be dangerous for hospital staff,
patients and visitors. Spills must be cleaned immediately and a sign posted warning of a
dangerous wet spot, as necessary, until the floor is completely dry. Broken glass must be
cleaned up immediately, always using a broom and dustpan; pieces of glass should never
be picked up by hand. Floors must be kept clear of debris, including towels, rags and
cleaning supplies, carts or trash cans must not be left where someone can trip on them .

Waste
Proper disposal of waste is essential for everyone’s safety in a hospital setting. It is
important to use labeled containers for biological and chemical hazards, and put any
sharps, such as needles, into a sharps container. Housekeeper must never simply pour
chemicals down the drain, but always follow the hospital’s procedures for proper
containment and removal of potentially hazardous waste. Cleaning rags, papers and other
materials cannot be left in closets or unused areas of the hospital, since these may pose a
serious fire hazard; they must be stored in a safe location disposed of appropriately .

Training
Each hospital must conform to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s
standards for worker safety. OSHA’s rules call for training hospital housekeepers in
safety practices such as how to communicate hazards to other staff, infection control, fire
safety and electrical safety. Such training helps workers know what safety precautions are
necessary and what action to take if confronted with an unsafe situation. Workers should
be trained and updated as often as necessary.

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O4B0Nmfr40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSe1mtfYzOY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7waDSzAh28k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQui81K3Fh0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXqy1wXyXZg&t=34s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-K8cRyZsw0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmR2nglFncQ&t=1s

SH EVS Training Video with MMC - YouTube

 A Guide to the Most Common
Workplace Hazards
Katie Martinelli 
January 7, 2019 

 7 min read

To complete the first step in any workplace risk assessment, you must
identify the hazards in your workplace. Every workplace has hazards and,
although there will be a nominated person for conducting formal risk
assessments, it is still everyone’s responsibility to be mindful of hazards in
the workplace and minimise risk of harm.

Not all hazards are obvious and they will be unique to your workplace.
This can make it difficult to immediately identify and protect your employees
from them. Therefore, we have created this guide to help you understand the
different categories of hazards and where they might be present.

What Are the Most Common Hazards in a

Workplace?
The words ‘risk’ and ‘hazard’ are often used interchangeably.  However,  if
you are responsible for managing the health and safety in your workplace,
it’s important that you understand the difference between them. The rest
of this article focuses on hazards, including where they might be found in
different workplaces. We also provide you with a range of further resources
to make your risk assessment process as smooth as possible.

The six main categories of hazards are:

 Biological. Biological hazards include viruses, bacteria, insects,

animals, etc., that can cause adverse health impacts. For example,
mould, blood and other bodily fluids, harmful plants, sewage, dust and
vermin.
 Chemical. Chemical hazards are hazardous substances that can cause
harm. These hazards can result in both health and physical impacts,
such as skin irritation, respiratory system irritation, blindness, corrosion
and explosions.
 Physical. Physical hazards are environmental factors that can harm an
employee without necessarily touching them, including heights, noise,
radiation and pressure.
 Safety. These are hazards that create unsafe working conditions. For
example, exposed wires or a damaged carpet might result in a tripping
hazard. These are sometimes included under the category of physical
hazards.
 Ergonomic. Ergonomic hazards are a result of physical factors that can
result in musculoskeletal injuries. For example, a poor workstation setup
in an office, poor posture and manual handling.
 Psychosocial. Psychosocial hazards include those that can have an
adverse effect on an employee’s mental health or wellbeing. For
 example, sexual harassment, victimisation, stress and workplace
violence.

Need a Training Course?

Take a look at our range of online Health & Safety courses, where you’ll
find everything from Risk Assessment to Asbestos Awareness.

Examples of Workplace Hazards

Below you will find a non-exhaustive list of hazards that can be found in a
range of work environments. The aim of this guide is to help you understand
the different categories of hazards, so you can confidently identify them in
your workplace.

Biological Hazards
Chemical Hazards

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards are environmental factors that can harm an employee

without necessarily touching them.

Examples of physical hazards include:

Electricity

Exposure to electrical live parts can result in serious injuries and fatalities,
including electric shocks, burns, explosions and falls from height. The risk is
increased in wet conditions, where a worker’s equipment and surroundings
can also become live.

Fires

Every workplace is at risk of fire. However, some workplaces are at an

increased risk – either due to the work activities or types or
employees/residents. For example, care homes, schools, hotels,
organisations that carry out hot work, food manufacturers and restaurants.
Fires can be devastating, both to the organisation and to the people
impacted, they can cause serious injuries, such as burns, asphyxiation and
fatalities. A risk assessment is an essential precaution in fire safety
procedures; our free template will help you complete one for your premises.
Confined spaces

Working in confined spaces poses serious hazards to employees. They

can be especially dangerous because of the reduced oxygen levels and
potential build-up of gases, which can result in fires, explosions, asphyxiation
and loss of consciousness. Further risks include collapse and flooding.
Examples of people at risk include anyone working in mines, cold storage,
tunnels, wells, ship holds, air ducts and manholes.

Extreme temperatures

Exposure to freezing or extreme cold conditions can result in serious health

impacts, including hypothermia, reduced mental alertness, chilblains, trench
foot and reduced dexterity. Those at risk include anyone required to work
outdoors in colder months, or in refrigerated warehouses, including
construction workers, emergency response staff, fishermen, and food
manufacturers. Conversely, exposure to extreme heat can result in health
impacts such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and dizziness. Workers at risk
include restaurant staff, launderers, smelters, welders and bakers.

Safety Hazards
Ergonomic Hazards
Psychosocial Hazards
How to Manage Hazards in Your Workplace
If you neglect your responsibility to protect your employees, you could face
financial and/or custodial penalties. Therefore, it’s vital that you properly
manage all your workplace hazards. This article should have helped you to
identify and consider more obscure hazards, but it’s important that you take
further steps to protect you employees. For example, you should:

 Carry out an appropriate risk assessment for the nature of the work
and hazards. We have provided some downloadable templates for you
to use throughout this article. You can find more, including those that are
relevant to your industry, by searching on the Hub.
 Introduce appropriate control measures. Once you have completed
your risk assessment, you must introduce controls to reduce or eliminate
the identified hazards. For example, you may be able to avoid work at
height completely when window cleaning by using extension poles or, if
those are inappropriate, you could reduce the risks by installing fall
prevention equipment.
 Appropriately train all your employees in their duties. All employees
should have appropriate Health and Safety Training or Office Safety
Training, in addition to training for any specific workplace hazards.