In addition to the hazards addressed in step 1, there are a number of other potential safety and health hazards at health care facilities. The following provides links to OSHA compliance assistance resources for some of these hazards.

1. Ergonomic hazards. Some of the major ergonomic stressors at health care facilities include lifting and repositioning patients and lifting materials.
   • Read OSHA guidelines. Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
   • Read case studies on ergonomics at health care facilities.
     • Countryside Care Nursing Home (developed through the OSHA and Abbott Alliance)
   • Read success stories on ergonomics at health care facilities.
     • Borderview Rehabilitation and Living Center (OSHA Safety and Health Recognition and Achievement Program Site)
     • Citizens Memorial Healthcare (OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs Participant)
     • Heritage Enterprises, Inc.
   • Learn more
     • OSHA Hospital eTool – Ergonomics
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Ergonomics
2. Workplace violence. Health care workers face a significant risk of job-related violence. OSHA encourages employers to establish violence prevention programs and to track their progress in reducing work-related assaults.
   • Read a fact sheet. Workplace Violence [PDF^* – 362 KB]
   • Read OSHA guidelines. Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers. OSHA Publication 3148. Also available as a 624 KB PDF.
   • Learn more
     • OSHA Hospital eTool: Workplace Violence
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Workplace Violence
3. Slips, Trips, and Falls. Slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of injuries in health care facilities.
   • Learn more
     • OSHA Hospital eTool: Slips/Trips/Falls
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Walking/Working Surfaces
4. Influenza.
   • Read an OSHA QuickCard: Protecting Yourself: Avian Flu – Health Care Worker [PDF^* - 28 KB]
   • Read fact sheets
     • Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Fact Sheet - Important Protection for Healthcare Workers. Also available as a 989 KB PDF.
     • Healthcare Workplaces Classified as Very High or High Exposure Risk for Pandemic Influenza
   • Review OSHA guidance
     • Guidance for Protecting Healthcare Workers from Seasonal Flu: Workers and Employers
     • Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers. OSHA Publication 3328 (2007). Also available as a 405 KB PDF.
     • Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic. OSHA Publication 3327 (2007).
     • Protecting Employees from Avian Flu. OSHA Publication 3323 (2006).
   • Learn more
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Seasonal Flu
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Guidance for Protecting Employees Against Avian Flu
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Pandemic Influenza
5. Tuberculosis.
   • See a sample exposure control plan. OSHA Hospital eTool: Sample Tuberculosis Exposure Control Plan
   • Learn more
     • OSHA Hospital eTool: Tuberculosis
     • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Tuberculosis
6. Emergency response hazards
   • Review OSHA guidance
     • Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims from Mass Casualty Incidents Involving the Release of Hazardous Substances. OSHA Publication 3249 (2005). Also available as a 560 KB PDF.
     • Hospitals and Community Emergency Response – What You Need to Know (OSHA Publication 3152) [PDF^* - 350 KB] (2008)
   • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Biological Agents
7. Chemical hazards. Health care employees may be exposed to a variety of chemicals on the job. The following provides information on how to prevent or reduce exposure to some of these chemicals.
   • Beryllium
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Beryllium
   • Ethylene oxide
     • Read a fact sheet. Ethylene Oxide [PDF^* – 486 KB]
     • Read an OSHA booklets
       • OSHA's Small Business Guide for Ethylene Oxide [PDF^* - 14 MB]. OSHA Publication 3359 (2009)
       • Ethylene Oxide (EtO): Understanding OSHA’s Exposure Monitoring Requirements. OSHA Publication 3325 (2007). Also available as a 184 KB PDF.
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Ethylene Oxide
   • Formaldehyde
     • Read a fact sheet. Formaldehyde [PDF^* – 43 KB]
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Formaldehyde
   • Glutaraldehyde
     • Read a guidance document. Best Practices for the Safe Use of Glutaraldehyde in Health Care. OSHA Publication 3258 (2006). Also available as a 264 KB PDF.
   • Hazardous chemicals in laboratories.
     • Read a fact sheet. Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. Also available as a 256 KB PDF.
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Laboratories
   • Hazardous drugs
     • Review OSHA’s Technical Manual. Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs. OSHA Technical Manual, Section VI, Chapter 2
     • Learn more.
       • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Hazardous Drugs
       • NIOSH Safety and Health Topic Page: Hazardous Drug Exposure in Health Care
   • Mercury
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Mercury
   • Waste anesthetic gases
     • Read OSHA guidelines. Anesthetic Gases: Guidelines for Workplace Exposures (2000)
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Waste Anesthetic Gases
8. Other hazards.
   • Compressed gas
     • Learn more. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Compressed Gas and Equipment
   • Laser hazards
     • Review a Safety and Health Information Bulletin:
       • Hazard of Laser Surgery Smoke. (1988, April 11).
     • Learn more
       • OSHA eTool: Hospital – Laser Hazards
       • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Laser Hazards
       • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Laser/Electrosurgery Plume
   • Latex allergy
     • Review a Safety and Health Information Bulletin. Potential for Sensitization and Possible Allergic Reaction To Natural Rubber Latex Gloves and other Natural Rubber Products. (2008, January 28).
     • Learn more.
       • OSHA eTool: Hospital – Latex Allergy
       • OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Latex Allergy

For more information on workplace safety and health hazards in health care facilities, see OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page: Healthcare Facilities.