OSHA Standards for Healthcare

Keeping your workplace safe for employees means keeping up with the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It’s especially important that your organization addresses the specific challenges healthcare workers face daily. The healthcare and social services sector has one of the highest rates of work-related injuries and illness. Considering healthcare hazards can be serious, IHA Insurance Solutions maintains this list of common OSHA standards and occupational safety best practices.

Accident Investigation, Medical Services and First Aid

Standards
Accident Investigation – 29 CFR 1960.29
Medical Services and First Aid – 29 CFR 1910.151

Resource
Importance of Root Cause Analysis During Incident Investigation – OSHA

Enforcement
Field Operations Manual (FOM) – CPL 02-00-164 – OSHA

Bloodborne Pathogens

Standard
Bloodborne Pathogens – 29 CFR 1910.1030

Resources
Model Exposure Control Plan (with sample Sharps Log on page 13) – OSHA
OSHA Fact Sheet – OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard – OSHA
Bloodborne Pathogens – Self Inspection Checklist – NIOSH & CDC
Tips for Improving Your Exposure Control Plan – NIOSH & CDC

Enforcement
Enforcement Procedures for the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens – OSHA

COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

Standard
COVID-19 Healthcare ETS Subpart U – COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

Resources
COVID-19 Healthcare Worksite Checklist and Employee Job Hazard Analysis
COVID-19 Plan Template
ETS Frequently Asked Questions
Employee Training Presentation – Healthcare ETS
Employee Training Presentation – Mini Respiratory Protection Program
OSHA Fact Sheet and Sample COVID-19 Log
ETS OSHA Recordkeeping Rule for Reporting Work-Related COVID-19 Fatalities and Inpatient Hospitalizations

Enforcement
OSHA Inspection Procedures for COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

Electrical Safety

Standard
Electrical Safety – 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S – Electrical

Resource
Controlling Electrical Hazards – OSHA

Enforcement
Electrical Safety-Related Work Practices – Inspection Procedures and Interpretation Guidelines

Emergency Action Plans

Standard
Emergency Action Plans – 20 CFR 1910.38

Resources
Hospitals and Community Emergency Response – What You Need to Know – OSHA
Emergency Preparedness and Response – OSHA

Enforcement
Compliance Policy for Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans – CPL 2-1.037

Fire Protection

Standards
Fire Protection – 29 CFR 1926.150
Fire Prevention Plans – 29 CFR 1910.39

Resource
Fire Prevention Plan Requirements – OSHA

Enforcement
Compliance Policy for Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans – CPL 2-1.037

Hazard Communication – Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Standard
Hazard Communication Standard

Resource
Model Hazard Communication Plan (starts on page 18) – OSHA

Enforcement
Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) – CPL 02-02-079

Ionizing Radiation

Standard
Radiation Safety

Resource
Ionizing Radition – OSHA

Enforcement
Memorandum of Understanding Between OSHA and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – CPL 02-00-086

Lasers

Standard
Nonionizing Radiation – 29 CFR 1926.54

Resource
Laser Safety – Surgical Suite – Use of Medical Lasers – OSHA Hospital eTool

Enforcement
OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section III: Chapter 6 – Laser Hazards

Personal Protective Equipment

Standard
Personal Protective Equipment – 1910.132

Resources
Personal Protective Equipment – OSHA
PPE Hazard Assessment Form – Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office

Enforcement
Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment – CPL 02-01-050

Respiratory Protection Program

Standard
Respiratory Protection Program – 29 CFR 1910.134

Resource
Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit – OSHA 3767

Enforcement
Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard – CPL 02-00-158

Recordkeeping and Reporting

Standard
OSHA Recordkeeping Compliance – 29 CFR 1904.7

Resources
IRMS/ICT OSHA Record keeping and Recording in the Healthcare Setting
IRMS/ICT OSHA Record keeping Presentation Slides
OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
OSHA – Injury Tracking Application (ITA) Login – Electronic Reporting of OSHA 300A TO OSHA
BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses – Login – Internet Data Collection Facility (IDCF)
OSHA – Report a Fatality or Severe Injury – Website

Enforcement
OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-135, Recordkeeping Policies and Procedures Manual (RKM)
Revised Interim Enforcement Procedures for Reporting Requirements under 29 C.F.R. 1904.39

Safe Patient Handling

Standard
Illinois Health Facilities Member Act (SPH Policy) 210 ILCS 85/6.25 P.A. 96-389

Resources
Safe Patient Handling – A Self-Assessment – OSHA
Safe Patient Handling (SPH) – Safe Patient Handling Program Checklist – OSHA

Enforcement
Inspection Guidance Memo for Inpatient Healthcare Settings (Safe Patient Handling Section in Attachment 2)

Slips, Trips and Falls (Walking-Working Surfaces)

Standards
Walking-Working Surfaces – 29 CFR 1910.22
Ladders – 29 CFR 1910.23
Stairways – 29 CFR 1910.25

Resources
Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Healthcare Workers - NIOSH
Stairways and Ladders (A Guide to OSHA Rules) – OSHA

Enforcement
CPL 03-00-016 – Pages 23-24

Workplace Violence

Standard
Healthcare Violence Prevention Act (IL Only) – 210 ILCS 160 – 2019

Resources
Preventing Workplace Violence: A Roadmap for Healthcare Facilities
Guidelines for Preventing WP Violence for Health and Social Service Workers – 3148 – 2016 – OSHA
Hospital eTool: Healthcare Wide Hazards – Workplace Violence
Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses – NIOSH
Physical and Verbal Violence Against Healthcare Workers – Sentinel Event – The Joint Commission
Assault Halt – Guidance and Resources to Curb WPV – The Joint Commission and OSHA
Workplace Violence Prevention – New and Revised Requirements – Joint Commission Standards

Enforcement
Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Workplace Violence Incidents – CPL 02-01-058