Table of Contents Health Science and Technology Education A PPLIED E DUCATIONAL S YSTEMS Safety Precautions.

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Health Science and Technology Education

APPLIED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS

Safety Precautions

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Body Mechanics

Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others.

Body mechanics uses proper body alignment, balance, and movement to increase muscle productivity.

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Benefits of Body Mechanics

Muscles are most productive when they are used correctly.

The acts of lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing become easier with proper body mechanics.

Using body mechanics saves energy and increases a worker’s efficiency.

Muscles that are used correctly are less likely to become injured.

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Body Mechanics for Patients

Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others.

Not only is it important for health care workers to use correct body mechanics in their own motions, but they must also help patients use these principles.

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Rehabilitation and Geriatrics

Principles of body mechanics are especially useful for patients in rehabilitation and geriatric patients who must adapt to physical limitations.

Therapists often teach patients how to use specialized equipment to help maintain proper body mechanics in daily living.

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Patient Transfers

Body mechanics is moving and positioning the body in ways that prevent injury to oneself and to others.

Patient transfers are an aspect of body mechanics. When a patient is transferred from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a bed, proper techniques must be followed to prevent injury.

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Know the Facility

Health care workers are responsible for learning the specific safety procedures at their facility.

One of the most important guidelines is to know the surroundings. ▫ Location of exits,

stairways, and elevators▫ Location of fire alarms

and fire extinguishers▫ Emergency codes

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Safety Signs and Symbols

Reading a symbol is faster than reading words on a sign.

Many health care symbols are universal. They can be understood by people of many different languages.

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Biohazardous Materials

Materials marked with this symbol may be contaminated or contain infectious pathogens.

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Radiation

This symbol is found around radiation treatment areas and near X-ray facilities.

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Lockout Tag

These tags are used on damaged or dangerous equipment.

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Oxygen in Use

This sign indicates an area in which compressed oxygen is being used. No smoking or open flames should be present in these areas.

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Protective Equipment Required

These signs indicate which type of protective equipment must worn when entering a specific area.

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Isolation

Areas marked with the isolation sign are highly contaminated and should only be entered by trained individuals who are wearing proper protective equipment.

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Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of promoting the safety and comfort of a person by adapting the environment.

Ergonomics is concerned with how the design of a facility affects a person’s well-being.

Examples:▫ Comfortable temperature ▫ Pleasant odor ▫ Moderate noise level▫ Handicap accessible

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Good Housekeeping

Every health care worker can contribute to a sanitary environment.

Clean up spills immediately.

Mark wet areas with caution signs or cones.

Give daily attention to high traffic areas.

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Chemical Safety

Employees must be made aware of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Material safety data sheets (MSDS’s) contain information about the proper use of chemicals. They also contain a list of safety precautions related to those chemicals.

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Material Safety Data Sheets

Product identification Physical and chemical

characteristics Potential physical hazards Potential health hazards Exposure limit Whether any of the

ingredients have been placed on a hazardous chemical list

Safety precautions for handling the chemical

Emergency and first aid procedures related to physical contact with the chemical

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Purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets

Before health care workers use chemicals, they must read the information on the MSDS.

If the chemical spills or comes in contact with skin, health care workers should consult the MSDS before attempting to clean it up.

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Handling Chemicals

Never use a product that does not have a label.

Never use a product that is expired.

Read a label at least three times before using a product.

Do not mix solutions or chemicals.

Wear proper safety equipment, such as gloves, aprons, and protective eyewear.

Know the procedure for reporting a spill or accident.

Use chemicals only as directed.