Establishing a safe work environment is crucial to the accomplishment of any private or public workplace. Accident prevention and safety is one of the greatest ways to maintain dedicated staff and increase efficiency, while decreasing costs and liabilities. Although there are short term financial costs associated with implementing a safety plan and installing safety equipment, the effect of not taking action can be catastrophic. Furthermore, leaders need to ensure that the business they reside over does not create health and safety problems for their workforces, patrons, or the community.
At present, health and safety in the workplace is typically commonplace and expected. However, only a few years ago during the Industrial Revolution, it …show more content…
Under the direction of the United States Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was formed. In 1971, commanded by George Guenther, the agency 's original director, OSHA began the study and implementation of Health and Safety regulations. Many of these original regulations of OSHA are still in effect today. OSHA 's mission is to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance". ("About Osha," 1972, p. 1) OSHA affords safety material, as well as training and support to workforces and businesses. Employees may file a complaint to obligate OSHA to inspect their place of work if they consider that their employer is not meeting OSHA standards or health and safety guidelines. OSHA will then advance with an investigation of concern and levy the employers with fines and penalties if it is determined that the company is out of compliance to set …show more content…
When I first started out as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1982, it was considered discourteous to patients if we wore latex gloves as a form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In my mind, I can still hear the voices of my mentors telling me that the proficiency and dedication of an Emergency Health care worker is determined by the amount of blood or vomit they expose themselves to during a call. Hepatitis B, along with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), came into the consciousness of health care providers around 1985 with the passing of famous actor Rock Hudson. When early data to health care workers about HIV became available, it was undecided how this virus truly spread. As health care providers, we were not sure if the virus transmitted via saliva, urine, fecal matter or blood. Because of our obliviousness related to these unambiguous pathogens, the health care community started to transform PPE policies and procedures instantaneously. Virtually overnight in the early 1980’s, our low-cost porous latex gloves were exchanged with a more expensive nonporous Nitrile composite style and PPE in the work place was now acknowledged as a necessity. If one were to look at an emergency health care worker today versus then, they would notice that we now have hard hats, face shields,
At present, health and safety in the workplace is typically commonplace and expected. However, only a few years ago during the Industrial Revolution, it …show more content…
Under the direction of the United States Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was formed. In 1971, commanded by George Guenther, the agency 's original director, OSHA began the study and implementation of Health and Safety regulations. Many of these original regulations of OSHA are still in effect today. OSHA 's mission is to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance". ("About Osha," 1972, p. 1) OSHA affords safety material, as well as training and support to workforces and businesses. Employees may file a complaint to obligate OSHA to inspect their place of work if they consider that their employer is not meeting OSHA standards or health and safety guidelines. OSHA will then advance with an investigation of concern and levy the employers with fines and penalties if it is determined that the company is out of compliance to set …show more content…
When I first started out as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1982, it was considered discourteous to patients if we wore latex gloves as a form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In my mind, I can still hear the voices of my mentors telling me that the proficiency and dedication of an Emergency Health care worker is determined by the amount of blood or vomit they expose themselves to during a call. Hepatitis B, along with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), came into the consciousness of health care providers around 1985 with the passing of famous actor Rock Hudson. When early data to health care workers about HIV became available, it was undecided how this virus truly spread. As health care providers, we were not sure if the virus transmitted via saliva, urine, fecal matter or blood. Because of our obliviousness related to these unambiguous pathogens, the health care community started to transform PPE policies and procedures instantaneously. Virtually overnight in the early 1980’s, our low-cost porous latex gloves were exchanged with a more expensive nonporous Nitrile composite style and PPE in the work place was now acknowledged as a necessity. If one were to look at an emergency health care worker today versus then, they would notice that we now have hard hats, face shields,