OCCUPATIONAL

HAZZARDS
AFFECTING
HEALTHCARE
PROFFESIONALS
PRESENTED BY
VARSHA
MASOOD
MEHNAZ
ISHRAH
 OCCUPATIONAL HAZZARD

These are the risks of illnesses or accidents in the

workplace
 Potential health Hazards includes:
i. Air contaminants
• particulate contaminants ( dust, aerosols ,fumes ,fibres)
• gas/vapour contaminants
ii. Chemical hazards( solid, liquids, fumes, gases, dust)
iii. biological hazards( virus, bacteria)
iv. Physical hazards( temperature, ionizing and non ionizing
electromagnetic radiation)
v. Ergonomics hazards
vi. Psychosocial factor( low pay, production pressure)
 OCULAR
OCCUPATIONAL
HAZARDS FOR
HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONALS
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

• PHYSICAL HAZARDS
I. Foreign Bodies

a) Dental Procedures
• Aerosol splash (saliva and blood), flying debris
• prevented by using a Eye protector.

b) Engineering / Maintenance/ Non Clinical Support Services

• Engineering controls – E.g. machine guards – Welding curtains
for arc flash protection
• Administrative controls – E.g. areas “off limits” for those
uninvolved
• Proper protective eyewear – Painting, breaking down
 
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

II. Radiation hazard

 Used for a variety of diagnostic and treatment
procedures.
 Harmful to living tissue.
 High exposure leads to optic lens epithelium
sensitivity
Injuries: Cataract
 Prevented by:
- Monitoring dose received.
- Personal protective equipment.
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

III. Laser Induced damage

Used primarily in the operating room
Danger to the skin and eyes
Establish laser safety programs
 To educate
 Take safety precautions
Warning signs where lasers are in use.
Periodic medical surveillance for exposed personnel
Injuries: flash blindness, dark spot , retinal bleeding
Preventable by:
• Goggles – Shutters /Key Switch
• Avoiding direct viewing
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

2. CHEMICAL HAZARDS
 Vulnerable
• House keeping Staff
• Laboratory Personnel
• Preclinical teaching departments
• Service laboratories
• Personnel in the Operating room

Happens due to accidents

a) Anatomy department:
• Transferring formalin from containers
• Formalin tank
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

3. BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
a) Infections: Microbes
Conjunctivitis (e.g., adenovirus, herpes simplex,
Staphylococcus aurous)
Caused by nosocomial epidemic outbreaks
 Spread:
• Fomites / ophthalmic instruments
• Contaminated hand to surfaces
 Areas high risk:
• Eye / staff clinics
• Neonatal ICU
• Long term facilities
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

Systemic infections, including blood borne viruses

(e.g. hepatitis B and C viruses, human
immunodeficiency virus), herpes viruses, and
rhinoviruses.

Mode of introduction to eye

• Fomites
• Directly (e.g., blood splashes, respiratory droplets
generated during coughing or suctioning)
• Touching the eyes with contaminated fingers or
other objects( E.g microbiology labs)
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

b) Body fluid splashes-eye

 Low risk of transmission
 Prophylaxis recommended
 AREAS LIKELY:
• Blood collection Areas
• Dialysis suites
• Operating room personnel
 POTENTIAL HAZARDS

‘EYE STRAIN’: COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME

 PREVENTION
• Ergonomics
• Breaks 20 min, 20 secs
• Tear Substitutes

 HIGH RISK
• Radiology
 EYE SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR HEALTH CARE

Create a safe work environment

indications
Safety features of instrument
Workers educated on safe use
Bystanders kept out eg: laser sessions

Identify
Primary hazards
Hazards posed by work happening on premises
 EYE SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR HEALTH
CARE

Prevent injury/ Good work practices

If PPE, Ensure good condition / fit / and
availability
 If procedure ensure availability of preventive
preparation

 Prepare for eye injuries especially chemical

splashes
 Have sterile /appropriate solution for irrigation
and equipment ready if necessary
 EAR-RELATED
OCCUPATIONAL
HAZARDS FOR
HEALTHCARE
PROFESSIONALS
 NOISE EXPOSURE

Occupational exposure to high noise levels can be

found in different areas of the hospital 

Employee exposure to noisy machinery, or

equipment, may induce hearing loss, hearing
impairment, hypertension, elevated blood pressure
levels and/or other health hazards.
 PREVENTIVE MEASURES

A safety and health program that recognizes and

addresses the hazards created by noise exposure.
a) Reduce the amount of sound energy released by the noise
source.
b) Divert the flow of sound energy away from the worker.
c) Protect the receiver from the sound energy reaching him/her.
d) Proper maintenance of equipment, equipment replacements.
e) Revised operating procedures, equipment redesign,
enclosures.
f) Acoustical shields and barriers.
g) Personal protective equipment.
h) Use hearing protection (e.g., ear plugs, ear phones) to
eliminate or decrease noise exposure.
THANK YOU