Healthcare and social service workers face many challenges when it comes to safety in the workplace. Prevention guidelines should be incorporated in order to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards. Some major healthcare environments include, but are not limited to:
- Hospitals; large medical facilities.
- Residential Treatment; long-term facilities such as nursing homes.
- Non-residential Treatment/Service; small clinics or centers.
- Community Care; community-based residentials or group homes.
- Field Work; in-site visits from social or home healthcare workers.
What can be done to improve security in hospitals?
According to OSHA and NIOSH, healthcare and hospital security can be improved by asking the right questions:
- Staffing: Who is responsible for the safety of employees and clients? Do they know their role?
- Training: Check to see if workers are properly trained for emergency response or for reporting violent incidents.
- Facility design: ensure there are enough exit doors, escape routes, locked restrooms, etc.
- Workplace procedures: ensure public access is controlled. Do employees fully know how to navigate the areas they are working at? Are floor maps visible to both workers and visitors? Is there a liaison with local police? etc.
- Outside the facility: Do workers feel safe walking around the facility? Is the area surrounding the building free of blind spots? Is there enough lighting? etc.
- Security measures: Check if there are security cameras, especially in high risk areas. Are devices such as metal detectors, security monitors, locks and alarm systems fully functioning?
Portable panic buttons and personal alarm devices are among the dozens of other types of security measures. These devices, along with the measures listed above, are included in the OSHA´s Guideline for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers.
The Kwema Smart Badge™ and our other discreet wearables serve this purpose as they allow workers to call for help within 3 seconds. Employees can quickly send a distress signal to security staff and 911, saving precious time, reducing incident impact, and increasing the sense of safety in any healthcare facility.
Watch how Kwema improves workplace safety
security in hospitals
panic buttons
safety in the workplace
Source:
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf