OSHA Case Study

OSHA has a standard which limits worker exposure to formaldehyde. Nurses who perform cold sterilization in dialysis, endoscopy, and intensive care units are subject to exposure.

Reduction of exposure should take place by the use of engineering controls and good work practices. Workers can bring mercury home on their shoes and clothing and, as a result, expose family members. Back injuries in hospital nursing personnel account for greater than half the total compensation payments for back injury and it is estimated that greater than 764,000 lost work days are incurred each year. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurses aides are among the health care workers most frequently affected by this type of injury.

A study of workers' compensation data indicated that nurse's

Nurses have potential exposure to ionizing radiation while holding patients who are undergoing radiographs, and during direct care of patients undergoing nuclear medicine tests and implants. OSHA's standard for ionizing radiation is designed to protect workers who are not covered under the Nuclear

Regulatory Commission and the exposure limit is set at three rem per quarter.

Nurses who work with terminally and chronically ill patients, and nurses who work in the intensive care units, emergency room, burn unit, or operating room are at particular risk for stress related symptoms. In many hospitals, the nurse may feel isolated, fatigued, angry, and powerless due to a sense of depersonalization created by a large bureaucratic system. The worker's attitude and behavior may be adversely affected, leading to decreased job performance, and increased absenteeism.

Methods for coping with stress include regularly scheduled staff meetings; development of a stress management program and adequate coping mechanisms; availability of an employee assistance program; flexibility and worker participation in development of work