Unit 9: Lesson 1: Safety

Lesson 1: Safety

Lesson 1: Safety

The healthcare industry is known to have one of the highest non-fatal workplace injury and illness rates in the United States. Health sciences are considered to be among the more hazardous industries due to the significant percentage of workers who suffer injuries or illnesses related to their work. Healthcare professionals face various risks, ranging from slips and falls in hospitals to accidental needle stick injuries in clinics, as well as illnesses caused by exposure to chemicals or hazardous materials in laboratories and other work environments.

Safety issues and accidents can occur in any workplace, but hospitals, healthcare facilities, and other health science settings are particularly prone to such incidents. The consequences of accidents, mistakes, and safety concerns in these settings can be severe, affecting not only workers but also patients, family members, visitors, and the general public. For instance, failing to adhere to safety protocols while studying a dangerous infectious virus could have catastrophic outcomes. In this module, we will delve deeper into the common safety issues that impact health science settings and explore strategies that healthcare professionals can implement to mitigate these risks.