Identification of Occupational Hazards by Walk-Through Surveys Among Selected Public Hospitals in the Philippines

Abstract

Background: Workplaces have hazards that may potentially cause adverse health effects when certain conditions allow these to happen. Evidence has shown that hospitals are one of the most hazardous places to work in and that healthcare workers face distinct hazards which are uncommon in other industries. Furthermore, occupational hazards throughout hospital departments are said to be highly variable.

Objective: This study aimed to describe occupational hazards present in clinical and support service areas of local public hospitals.

Methodology: The study involved 13 pre-selected healthcare facilities located across the country. Walk-through surveys (WTS) were carried out in the clinical and support service areas of each facility to identify existing and probable hazards. Control measures, if any, were also noted. Due to the brief time allotted for the surveys, the observed hazards were only limited to those commonly cited in literature.

Results and Conclusion: This study found that unsafe conditions were common in local healthcare facilities. In addition, biological hazards, chemical hazards, and ergonomic risk factors were present as well. Similar hazards were found in both the clinical and support service areas although chemical hazards were not observed in the latter. Human resources in most of the hospitals were found to be inadequate when compared to the ideal ratios.

Recommendations: Strengthening the implementation of existing occupational health and safety standards as well as the formulation of policies specific to the needs of the health facilities could help in reducing the outcomes that these hazards may cause. A hospital that is free from occupational hazards will create a working environment that would foster healthier and safer healthcare workers who will deliver the highest quality of healthcare services possible for the general public.