Occupational Health Management Archives – August 1, 2010
August 1, 2010
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Walkabout: To gain invaluable info observe, listen closely to employees
If employees routinely put themselves at risk for injury by lifting improperly just to get a job done as quickly as possible, how would you know about this? -
Tips to get betterPPE compliance
When Michelle L. McCarthy, RN, COHN, on-site medical case manager for Genex Services in Wayne, PA, does walkthroughs, one of the things she looks for is appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). "One of the biggest problems with PPE is the use of hearing protection. It is very important to make sure that the foam ear plugs are worn properly," she says. -
What you must find out from injured workers
You're in a unique position to obtain details about an injured worker that others may miss, for several reasons. "The occupational health/employee relationship is built on trust," says Kathy Dayvault, RN, MPH, COHN-S/CM, an occupational health nurse at PureSafety in Franklin, TN. "You will take the time to listen. And typically, occupational health does not discipline employees, meaning there is no reason not to tell." -
10 questions to ask after injury
If a worker is injured, ask him or her the following questions, recommends Kathy Dayvault, RN, MPH, COHN-S/CM, an occupational health nurse at PureSafety in Franklin, TN: -
Dig a little deeper after a near-accident
If you can discover why an employee performed a job incorrectly, which caused a near-miss accident that could have been fatal to other workers, wouldn't this information be priceless to you? -
Would you like a 96% participation for HRAs?
Do you think that better health is enough of a reward for employees who choose to take a health risk assessment? That may not be sufficient, if you want participation rates to brag about. -
Poor compliance? This might be why
When Barbara Hayden, RN, COHN-S, an occupational health nurse with the U.S. Department of the Interior's Main Interior Building Health Unit in Washington, DC, started a weight loss program in January 2009, she expected to see big results. -
More employees defined as disabled under the law
A disability is now interpreted as any impairment that "substantially limits a major life activity," according to the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008. -
Unsure of compliance? Revise your policies
Kathleen Liever, an employment law associate at Fowler White Boggs in Tampa, FL, says to make these changes to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008: -
'Green' revolution boosts employee health efforts
The "greening" of American hospitals may be a golden opportunity for employee health. -
Healthier hospitals initiative agenda
Improve Environmental Health and Patient Safety -
Splashes, fumes cause injury to HCWs
A laundry worker died of acute asthma after breathing bleach fumes from an open pail. Floor cleaner splashed in the eyes of housekeepers. Even bystanders suffered irritating effects of disinfecting chemicals -
New CDC flu guidelines unmask N95s
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which erred on the side of caution during the H1N1 influenza A pandemic now concedes surgical masks are sufficient to protect health care workers.