When people discuss the most dangerous job locations, they may talk about factories or construction sites. Some people talk about rural environments due to the known hazards of fishing and timber-related careers. Most people don’t list hospitals as one of the most dangerous places to work.
However, reports of workplace safety incidents make it quite clear that hospitals see more injuries than most other private-sector employers. There are numerous hazards that make hospitals dangerous places to work, including the five top safety issues outlined below.
Patient care tasks
Needing to help people dealing with illnesses and debilitating injuries can be a challenge. The top-reported cause of workplace incidents in hospitals is overexertion and bodily reaction. People trying to lift or otherwise assist patients may injure their backs or their joints. They may then require time off to recover from those injuries.
The need to rush
Hospitals are sometimes relatively slow. Other times, it seems like every emergency occurs at the same moment. Nurses and other medical professionals may end up rushing between rooms or running to respond to a patient call. Slips, trips and falls are another top cause of injuries among hospital workers. Some people fall down stairs, which can be devastating. Even same-level falls can cause brain injuries or broken bones.
Exposure to dangerous substances
There are many substances that medical workers may encounter that can put their health and safety at risk. For example, they may need to handle or clean bodily fluids. Certain medical professionals may also end up exposed to radioactive materials. Pathogen exposure is also a common safety concern in the hospital setting. Exposure to dangerous substances can lead to illness and injury.
Accidental contact with objects
Medical professionals have to handle a variety of potentially dangerous objects. They could poke themselves with a syringe and expose themselves to bloodborne illnesses. They could accidentally touch themselves or another person with an artificial external defibrillation device, which can cause burns or stop someone’s heart. Accidental contact with dangerous objects can cause illness or serious injuries.
Interpersonal violence
People seeking care at hospitals are often not in the best place emotionally. They might be in the middle of a mental health crisis or withdrawing from drugs. They may have had an adverse reaction to treatment. Patient violence is one of the leading causes of hospital worker injuries. People never know when someone may become volatile and aggressive in a medical setting.
The origins of an injury or illness matter less than the connection to a professional’s employment when it comes to seeking workers’ comp. Workers’ compensation benefits can protect medical professionals hurt because of their careers. Seeking benefits can help injured and sickened hospital employees replace their lost wages and cover the cost of their medical care.