SAFETY

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SAFETY
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Body Mechanics
Body mechanics refers to the way in which the
body moves and maintains balance while making the
most efficient use of all its parts.
There are 4 main reasons for using good body
mechanics

• Muscles work best when used correctly
• Correct use of muscles makes lifting, pulling,
  and pushing easier.
• Good body mechanics prevents unnecessary fatigue
  and strain.
• Good body mechanics prevents injury to yourself
  and others.

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Base of Support
8 basic rules of good body mechanics include

• Maintain a broad stance (feet 8-10 inches apart)
  balancing weight on both feet.
• Bend from the hips and knees to get close to an
  object and keep your back straight.
• Use the strongest muscles to do the job.
• Use the weight of your body to help push or pull
  and object. If possible always push or pull
  rather than lift.

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• Carry heavy objects close to the body. Also,
  stand close to the object or person being moved.
• Avoid twisting your body as you work. Turn with
  your feet and entire body when you change
  direction of movement
• Avoid bending for long periods of time.
• If a patient or object is too heavy for you to
  lift alone, always get help.

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OSHA

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA), is a division of the Department of Labor
  and establishes and enforces safety standards for
  the workplace.
• Two main standards that affect health care
  workers are
• Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
  Standard
• The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

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Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals
Standard

• This requires that employers inform
• employees of all chemicals and hazards in the
• workplace. Also, all manufacturers must
• provide Material Safety Data Sheets
• (MSDSs) with any hazardous products.

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MSDSs must provide 5 Ps

• Product identification information about the
  chemical.
• Protection or precautions that should be used
  while handling the chemical.
• Proper Instructions for the safe use of the
  chemical.
• Procedures for handling spills, clean-up, and
  disposal of the product.
• Procedures for first aid/emergencies if injury
  occurs.

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Bloodborne Pathogen Standard

• Bloodborne Pathogen Standard has mandates
• to protect health care providers from diseases
• caused by exposure to body fluids.

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• Examples of body fluids include
• Blood
• Urine
• Stool
• Semen
• Vaginal secretions
• Cerebrospinal fluid
• Saliva
• Mucus

Three Diseases that can be contracted by exposure
to body fluids include hepatitis B, hepatitis C,
or AIDS.
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Safety Rules - Solutions

• Do not mix solutions
• Never use solutions from unlabeled bottles
• Check solution labels 3 times
• Wear appropriate protective gear
• Report spill immediately

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Equipment and Solutions

• Do not operate or use any equipment until you
  have been instructed on how to use it.
• Read and follow the operating instructions.
• Do NOT operate an equipment if your instructor is
  not in the room.
• Report any damaged or malfunctioning equipment
  immediately.
• Do not used frayed or damaged electrical cords.
• When handling equipment, observe all safety
  precautions

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• Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before
  using any hazardous chemical solutions.
• Never use solutions from bottles that are not
  labeled.
• Read the labels of solution bottles at least
• 3 times during use to be sure you have the
  correct solution.
• Do NOT mix any solutions together unless
  instructed to do so by your instructor.
• Avoid contact with solution and your eyes and
  skin.
• If you break any equipment or spill any solution
  report it to your supervisor.

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Safety Patient Care

• Do not perform procedures on patients unless
  directed to do so
• Provide privacy
• Identify patients properly
• Explain procedures completely
• Be aware of hazards as they develop
• Check safety check points before leaving room

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Safety Rules - Electrical

• Do not operate equipment until you have been
  trained to use it
• Check electrical cords for fraying and grounding
  prongs

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Safety - Personal

• Protect yourself and others
• Use correct body mechanics
• Wear proper uniform
• Walk do not run, and keep to the right
• Report injury or accident promptly
• Report unsafe conditions immediately
• Keep all areas clean and neat

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Safety - Personal

• Wash hands frequently
• Wear protective gear when needed
• Dry hands before handling electrical equipment
• Flush areas that come in contact with solutions
  immediately

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Fire Safety

• Fires need 3 things in order to start
• 1. Oxygen or air
• 2. Fuel (anything that will burn)
• 3. Heat (sparks, matches, flames)
• Major cause of fires smoking and matches

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Safety Fire Extinguishers

• Class A (Water) paper, cloth, wood
• Class B (CO2) gas and oil
• Class C (Dry Chemical) electrical
• Class ABC (Graphite Chemical) anything

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Safety Fire RACE

• R Rescue
• A Activate alarm
• C Confine fire
• E Extinguish fire

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Safety Fire PASS

• P Pull pin
• A Aim nozzle
• S Squeeze handle
• S Sweep base of fire

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Ergonomics

• Ergonomics is an applied science used to
• promote the safety and well-being of a
• person by adapting the environment and
• using techniques to prevent injuries.

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Ergonomic Examples

• Correct furniture and equipment placement
• Efforts to avoid repetitive motions
• Training in required muscle movements
• Awareness of the environment to prevent injury

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Patient/Resident Safety

• Do NOT perform any procedure on patients unless
  you have been instructed to do so
• Provide privacy for all patients.
• Always identify your patient.
• Always explain the procedure so the patient knows
  what you are going to do.
• Observe the patient closely during any procedure.
• Frequently check the patient area, waiting room,
  office rooms, bed areas, or home environment for
  safety hazards

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• Before leaving a patient in a bed, observe all
  safety checkpoints.
• Always wash your hands before and after patient
  care.

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Personal Safety

• It is your responsibility to protect yourself and
  others from injury.
• Use correct body mechanics.
• Wear the required uniform.
• Walkdo not runin the lab area or clinical area.
• Report any personal injury or accident.
• Report any unsafe practice or violation to your
  instructor.

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• Keep all areas clean.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Dry your hands thoroughly.
• Wear safety glasses when instructed to do so.
• Immediately flush any area solutions come into
  contact with such as eyes or skin.
• If a particle gets in your eye, inform your
  instructor.