Occupational

Health and
Safety in
Caregiving
Objectives of Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is

primarily concerned with the overall well-being of
the workers by implementing health and safety
standards in the workplace.
Specifically, OHS aims to:

Promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of

1 every worker;
2 Create a workplace that is conducive to the welfare of
the workers;
3 Remove or reduce possible hazards and risks that are
detrimental to workers' health and safety; and
4 Increase workers' productivity by keeping them safe and
healthy.
 Examples of Hazards in Nursing Homes
and Hospitals
Physical hazards - These are hazards that are brought about
by unsafe working conditions.
Biological hazards - These are hazards that may come from
workers or patients with infections or diseases and also from
contaminated human wastes containing bacteria, viruses,
fungi, and parasites.
Ergonomic hazards - These are hazards that are brought
about by the nature of work related to workers' body positions
and working conditions.
Psychological hazards - These are hazards that have impact
on the mental and emotional aspects of the workers brought
about by long hours of physical activities.
Chemical hazards - These are hazards that are caused by
exposure to or handling of chemicals that maybe harmful to
workers' health.
 Controlling Hazards and Risks
1. By eliminating hazards
2. By substituting with a less hazardous or
less dangerous one.
3. By implementing engineering control
4. By implementing administrative control
5. By wearing personal protective
equipment(PPE)
 Health and Safety Practices in Caregiving

1. Check the equipment if they are in good working

condition.
2. Wear coveralls or protective gowns when at work.
3. Wear masks when having contact with a patient.
4. Wear gloves when handling patients, objects,
medicines, food, and other items that are either
contaminated or sensitive or delicate to be easily
contaminated.
 Health and Safety Practices in Caregiving

6. Wash hands and wrists thoroughly using a liberal

amount of soap and water.
7. Keep fingernails short to prevent dirt from lodging
inside the free edge of the nails.
8. Dry hands thoroughly after rinsing.
 Health and Safety Practices in Caregiving

9. Reduce body stress and strain through observing

proper body mechanics by maintaining proper
posture at all times.
10. Report immediately to the persons concerned
when hazards, injuries, or accidents happen in the
workplace.