This document provides an overview of general office and clinic safety topics for primary care staff. It discusses common job tasks like filing, computer work, phone use, bending, lifting and minor medical procedures. It also covers safety issues like ergonomics, slips/trips/falls, stress, universal precautions and checklists for identifying and addressing potential hazards. The goal is to help staff stay safe on the job through self-evaluation, planning, communication and following proper safety protocols.
1. Primary Care IIPP Training
General Office & Clinic Safety
Shawn Holle
Safety Analyst
DPH: Occupational Safety & Health Section
2. What We Do On the Job
Filing & Report Writing
Computer Work
Answering Multiple Telephone Lines
Bending & Lifting
Hanging Pictures & Calendars
Sweeping, Mopping, Cleaning
Routine Maintenance
Facility Repairs
IM Injection & Phlebotomy
Minor Surgical & Dental Procedures
First Aid
CPR
3. Staying Safe On the Job
Everyday. Everyone.
Self Evaluate
Plan Ahead
Think Things Through
Get Help When Needed
Good Communication
Don’t Climb on Chairs!!!!
Don’t Do Things You Are Not Trained To Do
Arrange Work Areas to Increase Efficiency
Reduce Repetitive Motions
Use Universal Precautions
3/22/2012 DPH/OSH 3
4. Awkward Postures
Watch How You Move!
Reaching Over The Head
Bending To Get Something Down Low
Straining To Reach Something High Up
13. Protecting Ourselves in the Clinic?
Universal Precautions
Assume All Human Blood & Body Fluids Are Infectious
14. Exposure Risks on the Job?
Lab Work, Phlebotomy
Minor Surgery
Dental Procedures
Sample Processing
Patient Care
Site Visits
Outreach Work
First Aid
CPR
19. Prevention Strategies
Administrative Controls & Warning Labels
Cover Your Cough Signs in Waiting & Exam Rooms
Post Needlestick Hotline (415) 469-4411
Simple Procedural How To Checklists
Label Biohazard & Sharps Containers
Refrigerators & Freezers Containing Samples
Containers to Store, Transport, Ship Biohazard Waste
20. Basic Safety Consideration Checklist
Common Problems
Stairs Without Handrails
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□ Supplies Stacked on the Floor
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Boxes & Carts Left In Walkways (Cluttered or Narrow Walkways)
□ Damaged Floor Tiles
□ Employees Carrying Heavy Loads to Avoid Extra Trips
□ Poor Lighting Along Walkways and Work Areas
□ Damaged or Wet Carpet
□ Extension Cords Across Walkways
□ Slippery Sidewalks / Parking Areas
□ Spills
□ Uneven Walking Surfaces
□ Wet Stairs (From Leaks and Weather)
□ Wobbly Step Stools / Ladders
21. Basic Safety Consideration Checklist
Common Solutions
Work areas: Provide enough work space to avoid collisions. Redesign the layout
□ to eliminate blind corners and areas of clutter.
□ Materials storage: Provide proper storage so walkways and work areas are kept
free of clutter.
□ Tripping hazards: Keep electrical cords out of walkways. Maintain carpets in good
condition. Replace Broken Floor Tiles.
□ Slipping hazards: Install non-slip surfaces and handrails on stairs, and place non-
slip floor mats at entrances and in wet areas.
□ Work practices: Train workers not to move too quickly, not to carry items too tall
to see over, and to warn other workers when they pass behind them.
□ Understand Flood Control Procedures for Your Facility!
□ Spills: Clean up spills immediately. Use signs to warn Employees of slippery
floors.
□ Reaching and climbing: Store frequently used items in accessible locations.
Provide ladders and footstools, and keep them in good condition.
□ Lighting: Keep work areas well lit
□ Submit Timely Work Orders for Major Repairs
□ Communicate All Housekeeping Issues to Custodial Services
22. Basic Safety Consideration Checklist
Common Problems
□ Full Sharps Containers
□ Shortage of Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
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Needle Stick Hotline # Not Posted
□ No Cover Your Cough Signs in Waiting & Exam Rooms
□ Inadequate Handwashing Facilities
□ Improperly Labeled Biohazard Containers
□ Unsecured Sharps Containers
□ Fill In the Blanks With Any Problems At Your Facility
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23. Basic Safety Consideration Checklist
Common Solutions
□ Full Sharps Containers: Swap Out ¾ Full Sharps Containers
□ PPE Shortage: Order Appropriate PPE in Appropriate Quantities
□ Needle Stick Hotline # Not Posted:
Needlestick Hotline (415) 469-4411
□ No Cover Your Cough Signs in Waiting & Exam Rooms: Put Some Up
□ Inadequate Handwashing Facilities: Consider Antimicrobial Hand Sanitizer
□ Improperly Labeled Biohazard Containers: Label Them
□ Unsecured Sharps Containers: Have Facilities Secure Them.
□ Fill In the Blanks With Any Solutions At Your Facility
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