Addressing the Hierarchy of Controls Using Sharps Safety The Hierarchy of Controls is a very effective method for managing hazards in the workplace and should be followed to prevent sharps injuries to healthcare workers. According to Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), it is a well-recognised approach used to address sharps hazards in …
What Does It Take To Be A Safety Champion?
Finding safety champions isn’t always easy. Sometimes they come from the most unlikely candidates. It could be you, or it could be the person sitting next to you, or it can be someone that you just see on the elevator on your way to your desk. Whoever it is, you’ll know it because of their …
World Health Organisation: 2021 is the International Year of Health Care Workers
To bring to light the dedication of healthcare workers worldwide throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation has designated 2021 as the International Year of Health and Care Workers. Recognising the risks that healthcare workers face everyday is a start. Although hazards are present in every workplace and are a threat to everyone’s …
World Health Organization’s Number 1 Goal: Prevent Sharps Injuries
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risks and challenges that healthcare workers face every day. This includes injuries, infections, violence, and avoidable safety-related incidents. Due to the stressful environment that these workers struggle with, they are more prone to errors which can lead to patient harm. The World Health Organisation’s World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) …
Preventing the Risk of Scalpel Injuries to Livestock Handlers
Livestock handlers undertake surgical castration with scalpels to remove testicles from male animals such as cows or swine. Livestock handlers are often exposed to occupational health risks of scalpel cuts and injuries during castration procedures. As sharps injuries have been observed in veterinarian practices associated with large animals, it is important for livestock handlers to …
The Danger of Misconception Regarding the Risks of Ampoule Cuts
Needle-stick and sharps injuries (NSI) are a commonly reoccurring issue in healthcare workplaces. Without adequate protection, healthcare professionals face many multifaceted threats to their safety. In 2018, it was reported that 90.3% of nurses sustained at least one NSI over a six month period. Of these injuries, ampoules are frequently reported to be the primary …