Occupational Health Management Archives – August 1, 2011
August 1, 2011
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OSHA records: Err on the side of documenting reportable injuries
Is an injury covered by workers' compensation insurance? Does the worker's supervisor believe the injury didn't really happen at work? Did the employee see a health care provider?Carpal tunnel: Is it work-related?
If an employee reports carpal tunnel syndrome to his or her primary care physician, the provider may wrongly assume it's work-related and therefore, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-recordable.New OSHA requirements on chemical hazards
Hospitals will need to retrain all their employees on chemical hazards when the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration finalizes its changes to the Hazard Communication Standard.'Green' movement makes hospitals safer
Being greener is safer. As hospitals join the sustainability movement, they are making the workplace safer for their own employees.Beware of chemicals that penetrate skin
The skin is a very effective barrier to hazards such as blood or body fluids. But because some chemicals can penetrate the skin, health care workers need to be aware of the risks and necessary protections, says Scott Dotson, PhD, CIH, an industrial hygienist with the Education and Information Division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Cincinnati.Measles outbreaks laborious, costly
When a single imported case of measles led to a small outbreak in Tucson, AZ, in 2008, two hospitals were forced to spend a total of some $800,000 to contain it, much of that related to ensuring the immunity of employees.Stairway to health: Design boost use
When Union Pacific designed and built its new headquarters building in Omaha, NE, stairways of all things were a big part of the planning process.Junk food: The ever- present temptation
You probably work tirelessly to promote healthy eating, yet in the vast majority of workplaces, bowls of candy and donut boxes seem to be everywhere.