While many employers are vaguely aware of the Department of Labor’s efforts to promote workplace health and safety, several wonder what does OSHA do? As a manager of a health care facility, you are aware that staying OHSA compliant in the health care industry is a must.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is of chief importance in a variety of industries, and yet, remains a point of confusion for a surprising number of employers and employees.
While some standards apply across all industries, others are specific to certain fields. This is certainly true in the healthcare industry, which is subject not only to general OSHA standards, but also several industry-specific standards designed to keep both medical professionals and the patients they serve safe. So, as a manager or operator of a medical facility, you must stay OHSA compliant.
The better employers in the medical industry understand OSHA’s mission and standards — and its application to the healthcare sector — the better they can keep up to date with strict standards and prepare for future safety inspections. Below, we clarify the agency’s purpose, as well as simple steps for gaining full compliance.
Healthcare Regulations
While the healthcare field has seen significant changes in regulations in the past decade, OSHA’s role has remained consistent since the Occupational Safety and Health Act (often referred to as the OSH Act or the OSHA Act) was signed into law in 1970. From the very beginning, OSHA’s purpose has been to promote a safer workplace by keeping employers accountable to strict standards. These standards are clearly outlined to avoid confusion.
Many of OSHA’s standards are of particular concern to those within the healthcare field. For example, the Bloodborne Pathogens standard applies to all those who can reasonably be expected to come into contact with bloodborne pathogens on the job. This particular standard prescribes such safeguards as housekeeping protocol, hepatitis B vaccination, and the use of personal protective equipment. Standards have also been established to promote to eye protection, respiratory protection, formaldehyde protection, and more.
OSHA Compliance in the Health Care Industry
OSHA compliance is necessary across a range of industries — but it is of especially grave importance in healthcare, as medical employees and their patients face a myriad of risks every day. An essential Department of Labor agency, OSHA helps to mitigate common healthcare risks by ensuring that hospitals, clinics, and other facilities abide by a basic set of safety standards. OSHA’s resources help a variety of healthcare facilities abide by critical healthcare laws and ethics.
To keep employers accountable, OSHA conducts regular safety inspections. Scheduling for these inspections may be determined based on a range of federal and local priorities — but inspections can also be triggered by whistleblower complaints. Violations uncovered during these inspections can result in notices, citations, or, in severe cases, immediately assessed fines. If notices or citations are assessed, the employer may be granted a deadline, at which point the issues must be fully resolved.
Clearly, it’s important to remain up to date with OSHA regulations. Accomplishing this may not prove as difficult as it sounds. An audit can provide a valuable start, offering insight into areas of weakness. From there, it’s worth pursuing safety training. Consider obtaining certification in areas such as bloodborne pathogens, HIPAA, and hazard communication (often referred to as HazCom).
Contact MedWaste Services
Compliance with OSHA regulations 2018 may not seem easy to achieve or maintain, but it’s absolutely essential. MedWaste Service could play a key role in helping your company abide by OSHA standards for healthcare facilities. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about our OSHA training and audit services.