5 Ways Hospital Workers Can Protect Themselves From Injury on the Job

August 29, 2018By Cathy Flynn

Hospitals are a place for healing. However, they can also be injurious for busy staff members. Hospital workers are often prone to physical stress from exposure to hazardous substances. Use these five ways to protect yourself from an injury on the job.

1. Use an Ergonomic Chair

Hospital workers who spend long hours seated at reception desks or any other desk need to use an ergonomic chair. Ergonomic chairs are specially designed to prevent injury and discomfort to the skeletal system. Salli chairs protect doctors and nurses from spinal stress. If your hospital doesn’t currently provide ergonomic chairs, speak to your human resources department about acquiring some for the hospital staff.

2. Wear Gloves

Vinyl and latex gloves are available for hospital workers to use anytime contact is made with a patient. These gloves can protect against blood-transmitted viruses as well as a host of other pathogens. However, the gloves are utterly useless unless you wear them. Too often, hospital workers are in such a rush to deliver care to patients that they fail to take the time to don gloves.

3. Get Adequate Sleep

Overworked hospital staff members are at risk for injury on the job. When the mind and body are weary, reflexes aren’t as sharp, and accidents can quickly happen. Strive to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep each night. If that’s impossible, take a short nap during a break to rejuvenate.

4. Wear Proper Footwear

Hospital floors are often slippery. It’s essential for hospital staff to wear proper footwear that has rubber grip soles. The soles need to be in good condition to prevent slips and other floor hazards. Also, be sure to wear footwear that has good arch support to prevent back stress.

5. Follow Hazmat Safety Protocol

When hazardous materials spill or become airborne, it’s important for hospital staff to carefully follow the containment or cleanup protocol for that specific substance. A dangerous material protocol will be posted either on the bottle or on safety charts located in the hospital. These guidelines are designed to protect people from dangers associated with those hazardous materials.

Finally, one of the most urgent things you can do to protect yourself in case you do end up injured at work is to take out a disability insurance policy. This type of policy is invaluable because it replaces your income if you are unable to work. It protects you and your family from potentially devastating consequences!