Common Hazards Faced by Hospital Workers

There are approximately 5,627 hospitals in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association (AHA). When most people think of industries with a high risk of occupational injury, healthcare probably isn't the first to come to mind. However, statistics show that hospital workers are a high risk of injury, more so than many other industries.

In 2011, for instance, hospitals reported some 58,860 work-related injuries and illnesses that resulted in missed days of work. That's more than construction, business and professional services, private industry, and manufacturing. From an outsider's perspective, data such as this just doesn't seem possible. After all, how many different hazards are there in a typical hospital setting? In an effort to better answer this question, we're going to break down some of the most common work-related hazards faced by hospital workers.

Sprains and Strains

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the single most common type of work-related injury sustained by hospital workers is sprains and strains. OSHA reports that 54% of all work-related injuries that merit missed days away from work involve sprains and/or strains, attesting to the severity of this issue. A sprain may occur when a hospital worker overexerts him or herself, stressing a muscle or group of muscles beyond its physical limits.

Musculoskeletal Injury

Another all-too-common type of injury sustained by hospital workers is musculoskeletal, such as herniated disc, slipped disc, pulled back, etc. Why are these injuries such a problem in the hospital injury? Well, workers here are often required to lift patients on and off beds. Failure to use safe, proper lifting practices could stress the muscles, ligaments, tendons and supporting structures, resulting in musculoskeletal injury.

Stress 

Of course, there's also the issue of stress. It should come as little-to-no surprise to learn that healthcare is one of the most stressful industries in which to work. Nurses and doctors are often required to work long shifts with minimal break time. Such long hours can take a toll on workers, both physically and psychologically.

Infectious Illness

A fourth hazard faced by hospital workers is the potential for infectious illness or disease. Some of the patients who visit hospitals may have an illness that can be transmitted. Unless workers take precautions to protect themselves, they too could catch this illness.

These are just a few of the many hazards faced by workers in hospitals. To learn more about worker safety in hospitals, check out the official OSHA website at https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/understanding_problem.html.