Keeping safe and healthy at work

Work is good for you! Recent research by Waddell and Burton1  found that unemployment was associated with poor physical and mental health and that work is good therapy for healthy people2. The benefits of work usually outweigh any risks and going to work is healthier than staying at home. This statement holds true providing that the jobs are safe and flexible.
    
Health and social care professionals have a statistically higher rate of ill health than other occupations and suffer significantly more musculoskeletal disorders. The sector’s rates of stress, anxiety and depression are also, statistically, significantly higher than the rate across other industries and there are also high prevalence rates.

Cost of sickness
It is estimated that ill health costs the health and social care sectors over £200 million each year. The cost of injuries in the sector is estimated at £100 million. This total is made up of sick pay, compensation, insurance, administration, recruitment and damage to equipment, goods and materials.3
    
The cost to society is even higher as it includes loss of output, the cost of treatment, investigation costs if applicable, and Department for Work and Pensions administration costs.
    
For the individual there are lost earnings to take into account as well as the extra expenditure that is incurred when you are ill, such as the cost of prescriptions and travel to hospital appointments, not to mention the human cost of suffering the illness or injury.

Staying healthy
So for managers who are interested in keeping their budgets on track and their services working, it makes sense to try and keep your staff safe, healthy and at work. Also, for individuals who work in the health sector it makes sense to take responsibility for their own health to try and avoid the distress of sickness and injury.
    
The strength of the health sector is in its staff and their skills, expertise and dedication to provide an efficient health service. One of the core principles of the sector is the commitment to support, recognise, reward and invest in individuals. They do this by encouraging education, training and personal development, as well as providing opportunities for individual staff to progress in their careers. The following six tips will help keep you safe, healthy and at work.

Take advantage of training
With this in mind, the first recommendation is to make sure that you and your staff take advantage of training that is offered by your employer, for example, training in how to deal with violence. Facing violence is something experienced regularly by those who work in accident and emergency departments, and it remains one of the most serious occupational hazards for staff working in the healthcare sector. The NHS Staff Survey in 2005 reported that nearly 12 per cent of staff had experienced physical violence from patients. Violence management training covers how to de-escalate situations, make breakaway moves, and practice control and restraint techniques. The training is most valuable when it includes realistic scenarios.

Get vaccinated
The next recommendation is to get vaccinated. Flu jabs are available to those working in the sector and it can also be beneficial to get immunised against Hepatitis A, B and other infections. Your occupational health department will give you more details.

Follow procedures
Make sure you adhere to procedures designed to keep you safe. For example:

• Wear gloves to avoid contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
• Clear up blood or other bodily fluids with warm water and detergent.
• Use disposable or sterilised surgical instruments.
• Handle and dispose of sharp items safely.
• Wear goggles if there is risk of infected material splashing into the eye.

Needle stick injuries are still one of the most common forms of injury among healthcare workers. Invest in sharps safety devices - there are over 120 types on the market. Make sure a risk assessment has been carried out taking into account not only the patient but also the clinician and other staff involved in disposing of the sharps.

Clean hands
Washing your hands is very important if you work in the health sector. It is thought to be the single most important activity for reducing the spread of infection.  
    
Hands must be washed before direct contact with patients and after any activity or contact that contaminates the hands. This includes after taking gloves off.
    
To ensure your hands don’t harbour bacteria when you are at work, keep nails short, clean and polish free. Don’t wear artificial nails or jewellery with raised stones or ridges, or wristwatches. Cover any cuts with a waterproof dressing.
    
Make sure you remove any jewellery and roll up long sleeves before washing your hands, and preferably use a disposable paper towel to thoroughly dry your hands. Poor drying can re-contaminate hands that have been washed as bacteria transfer more easily on wet surfaces. It also leaves hands more prone to skin damage.
Alcohol hand gels and rubs are a practical alternative to soap and water but not a substitute. It should be available in all primary and secondary care settings at the “point of care.”

Reduce your stress
Negative stress is a major cause of ill health and absence in the healthcare sector. Review your lifestyle and try to avoid behaviours that will increase your stress. For example, make time to eat your meals and do not eat them “on the run.” Do not drink alcohol to try and reduce your feelings of stress. Focus on one job at a time and try to stop rushing and being available to everyone.
    
Make sure you take your breaks at work - if possible take a walk outside. Make time for some exercise and relaxation. Don’t be tempted to work extra shifts. You are more likely to become ill when you are exhausted.
    
Your organisation should have a policy on how to deal with stress-related ill health. If you or a member of your team is experiencing stress-related ill health then it is important to seek help in order to understand the situation and receive support. A plan can then be developed to deal with the causes of the stress and consider whether this is actually a wider organisational issue. The HSE has some relevant case studies of interventions in the health care sector, which can be viewed at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/experience.htm#health .

Keep safe
Make sure you are familiar with your organisation’s emergency plans and your role in it. Know where the fire exits are in every location where you work - if one was blocked where would you be able to exit the building?
Wear suitable shoes - slips and trips account for 2,000 serious accidents in the healthcare sector each year. The main causes of slips and trips accidents in healthcare are:

• slippery surfaces, caused by water and other fluids
• slippery surfaces, caused by dry or dusty floors
• contamination, such as urine or talcum powder
• uneven surfaces 
• poor lighting.

Research has shown that carrying even a light load can affect how you walk and increase the risk of falling, so anti-slip flooring material and good housekeeping is very important. And while we are talking about loads - look after your back.
    
Avoid lifting when possible and use appropriate mechanical aids to help you. Sometimes it is easier to push or pull objects, for example by putting the load on a trolley. However, it is necessary to be careful as this can also cause back problems. If you suffer from back pain try and stay active and take simple pain relief. Consult your GP if you are concerned and discuss with your employer or safety representative how changes can be made in your job to help you stay at work.
    
So to summarise, keep yourself and your team healthy and at work by following these six tips:

• Take advantage of training offered
• Get vaccinated
• Make sure you adhere to procedures designed to keep you safe
• Wash your hands
• Reduce your stress
• Take responsibility for your own safety.

To find out more please visit:
www.iosh.co.uk/specialistgroups/healthcare
 
1 Waddell G,Burton A Kim, 2006 Is Work Good for Your Health and Well Being? Norwich The Stationery Office
2 The HSE survey of self-reported work-related illness and workplace injuries in 2005/06
3 Interim update of the “Costs to Britain of Workplace Accidents and Work-Related Ill Health”
    
http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm