Promotion of Safety: Using Body Mechanics and Preventing Accidents

1. Chapter 14 Promotion of Safety

2. 14:1Using Body Mechanics

3. 14:1 Using Body Mechanics • The way in which the body moves & maintains balance while making the most efficient use of all its parts • 4 main reasons for using good body mechanics: - muscles work best when used correctly - makes lifting, pushing, & pulling easier - prevents unnecessary fatigue & strain/saves energy - prevents injury to self & others

4. 14:1 Using Body Mechanics (continued) 8 basic rules of good body mechanics: • Broad base of support - feet 8-10 inches apart - one foot slightly forward - balance weight on both feet -point toes in the direction of movement • Bend from the hips and knees to get close to an object - keep back straight / don’t bend at waist

5. 14:1 Using Body Mechanics (continued) • Use strongest muscles to do the job - back muscles are weak • Use weight of your body to help push or pull object - when possible push, slide, or pull rather than lift • Carry heavy objects close to the body • Avoid twisting your body as you work -turn with feet & entire body • Avoid bending for long periods of time • Get help if a patient or object is too heavy to lift alone

6. 14:1 Using Body Mechanics (continued) Good Posture is also essential: - aligning the body correctly puts less stress on muscles & prevents fatigue - Basic principles of good posture include: standing straight with stomach muscles pulled in, shoulders relaxed and pulled back, weight balanced equally on each foot and aligned with the shoulders, & chest and chin held up

7. 14:1 Using Body Mechanics (continued) Back supports • Required by some health care facilities • May provide false sense of security • Should be correct size in order to provide maximum benefit • Should fit snugly when needed, can be loosened at other times

8. 14:2Preventing Accidents & Injuries

9. 14:2 Preventing Accidents and Injuries • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Division of the Department of Labor • Establishes and enforces safety standards in the workplace

10. 14:2 Preventing Accidents and Injuries (continued) • Two standards that affect health care workers: • Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard • Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

11. Chemical Hazards • Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Standard • Requires employers to inform employees of all chemicals and hazards in workplace • Training for employees on procedures and policies

12. Chemical Hazards (continued) • All manufacturers must provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) with any hazardous product they sell • Specific information has to be provided on MSDS: - identification info about chemical - protection/precautions while using - instructions for safe use - procedures for spills, cleanup, disposal of chemical - emergency first aid procedures

13. Chemical Hazards (continued) • Chemicals must also be labeled with a hazardous category classification according to the National Fire Protection Association’s color code - this code alerts user to health, fire, reactivity, or other specific hazards of the chemical • Employers are responsible for training employees on proper procedures or policies to follow

14. NFPA label identifies specific hazards of chemicals:

15. Bloodborne Pathogen Standard • Contains mandates to protect health care providers from diseases caused by exposure to body fluids such as: -blood, urine, stool, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, mucus, & other similar fluids • Diseases that can be contracted by exposure to body fluids include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and AIDS

16. Environmental Safety • Ergonomics • Applied science to promote safety and well-being of a person by adapting environment and using techniques to prevent injuries • Correct placement of furniture and equipment • Training in muscle movements • Efforts to avoid repetitive motions • Awareness of the environment to prevent injuries

17. Environmental Safety (continued) • Concerns include • Accident or injury • Radiation or mercury exposure • Contaminated wastes • Prevention of accidents & injury centers around people and the immediate environment • Health care workers have a legal responsibility to protect patients from harm and injury

18. Equipment and Solutions Safety Basic Rules that must be followed when working with equipment & solutions: • Do not operate or use any equipment until you have been trained to use it • Read and follow operating instructions • Do not operate equipment without presence of instructor/supervisor • Report damaged or malfunctioning equipment • Do not use frayed or damaged electrical cords

19. Never handle electrical equipment with wet hands • Store equipment properly • Observe all safety precautions for equipment • Read MSDSs for hazardous chemical solutions • Check NFPA codes • Never use solutions that are from unlabeled bottles • Read labels at least three times • Do not mix solutions unless instructed • Avoid solution contact with eyes/skin

20. Store chemicals in locked cabinet following manufacturers’ recommendations • Dispose of chemical solutions according to MSDS • Report broken equipment or spilled solutions

21. Patient/Resident Safety Basic Rules to protect patients: • Do not perform any procedure on patients unless instructed and authorized • Provide privacy for all patients • Identify your patient • Explain the procedure • Observe patient closely during any procedure • Check all areas for safety hazards • Before leaving a patient, observe all safety checkpoints

22. Personal Safety Basic rules to protect yourself & others: • Protect yourself and others from injury • Use correct body mechanics • Walk; do not run • Report any injury or accident • Report unsafe situations or safety violations • Keep all areas neat and clean • Wash hands frequently • Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth, hair

23. Personal Safety (continued) • Dry hands thoroughly before handling electrical equipment • Wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE) Examples: gown, mask, gloves, eyewear • Observe all safety precautions • If solution comes in contact with skin or eyes, flush immediately with cool water and report • If particle gets in eye, report immediately • Do not try to remove or rub eye

24. 14:3Observing Fire Safety

25. 14:3 Observing Fire Safety • Fire requires • Oxygen—found in the air • Fuel—any material that will burn • Heat—sparks, matches, flames • Major cause of fires is carelessness with smoking and matches

26. Fire Extinguishers • Classified and labeled according to kind of fire they extinguish • Main classes • Class A: for combustibles (paper, cloth, plastic, wood) • Class B: for flammable or combustible liquids (gasoline, paint, grease, cooking fat) • Class C: for electrical fires such as fuse boxes, appliances, wiring, and electrical outlets • Class D: for burning or specific combustible metals

27. Fire Extinguishers (continued) • Refer to Figure 14-10 in Text (page 359)

28. Fire Extinguishers (continued) • The main types of extinguishers include: • Water • Carbon dioxide • Dry chemical • Halon

29. Fire & Electrical Hazards • Some extinguishers may be designed for multiple purposes - example: ABC extinguisher used in the home • Fire extinguishers are also rated by the size of the fire that can be extinguished • When extinguishing a fire, aim the stream from the extinguisher at the BASE of the fire

32. Fire Emergency Plan • Remain calm; do not panic • RACE • R: rescue anyone in immediate danger • A: activate the alarm • C: confine the fire • E: extinguish the fire

33. Fire Emergency Plan (continued) • Preventing fires • Obey “No Smoking” signs • Extinguish matches, cigarettes, and flammable items completely • Dispose of all waste materials in proper containers • Handle electrical equipment carefully; check for damaged cords/improper grounding before use

34. Fire Emergency Plan (continued) • Preventing fires (continued) • Store flammable materials in proper containers and in a safe area; immediately wipe up spills of flammable liquids • Do not allow clutter to accumulate • When oxygen is in use, observe special precautions

35. Disaster Plans • Disasters include tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, bomb threats • Stay calm and follow health care facility procedures • Provide for safety of self and patients • Be familiar with disaster policies

37. Emergency Disaster Procedure • Personnel from all areas of health care are asked to assist the community during a natural disaster, severe weather, or bioterrorism • Department of Homeland Security has established the National Response Plan to be implemented, if necessary