OSHA - PATHOGENS/INFECTION CONTROL

Course overview

Introduction The purpose of this educational activity is to give the nurse a working knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standards (OSHA) and to educate and reinforce knowledge regarding bloodborne pathogen and sharps safety as well as other important OSHA standards relative to healthcare workers. OSHA was established by an act of Congress in 1970 with the mission to ?assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health" (Shenold, 2008). OSHA regulations in healthcare are enforced by a joint effort between OSHA, Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and Medicare. All regulatory agencies work together by ensuring compliance with OSHA standards during surveys. In 2005, there were 4.2 million job related accidents and illnesses that were non fatal in nature that amount to 117 billion dollars in costs. In 2006, there were a total of 5, 703 employee deaths, although these figures do not account for deaths that were from occupationally acquired illnesses. Three federal agencies comprise OSHA as a whole: OSHA, within the Department of Labor; the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), within the Department of Health and Human Services (Shenold, 2008). The duties of OSHA include writing the standards or regulations for workplace safety, conducting reviews to assure compliance, and prosecuting violations of standards. The Review Commission is responsible for the mediation of disputes between OSHA and the employers, and NIOSH is responsible for research into best practices for workplace safety and making recommendations regarding proper procedures and equipment. The need for OSHA in the healthcare environment came to the forefront with the emergence of the HIV virus and concern for the possibility of health workers acquiring the virus through patient contact. In 1989, OSHA made recommendations regarding bloodborne pathogens and after review and comments by experts in multiple sectors of healthcare the final rule was published in 1991.