OSHA

HR and OSHA Compliance
Abyde News, OSHA, Partner News

The Intersection of HR and OSHA Compliance: Ensuring Safety in Healthcare

August 21, 2024 Comments Off on The Intersection of HR and OSHA Compliance: Ensuring Safety in Healthcare

August 12, 2024 This was contributed by HR for Health for OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week At HR for Health, OSHA compliance is a frequent and critical topic of discussion with our clients. As an HR company focused on supporting independent healthcare practices, we understand the importance of taking compliance, training, documentation, and safety seriously. Whether your practice is large or small, adhering to OSHA standards is not just about following the rules—it’s about protecting your employees and fostering a safe work environment that benefits everyone. Compliance laws can seem overwhelming, but it’s a non-negotiable part of running a healthcare practice. Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, not to mention the time-consuming and expensive lawsuits that could arise if an employee or patient is injured. Beyond the financial implications, a commitment to safety and compliance contributes to a healthier, more productive workplace. But how do you ensure your practice stays compliant without getting bogged down in administrative tasks? That’s where HR for Health and Abyde come in. Together, we provide a comprehensive solution that simplifies the complex worlds of OSHA and employment law compliance, making it manageable for practices of all sizes. Why OSHA Compliance Matters OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliance is about more than just avoiding fines. It’s about creating a workplace where your employees feel safe and supported, which in turn leads to better patient care. Compliance involves familiarizing yourself with OSHA regulations, training your employees, and maintaining accurate records of any incidents or hazards. At HR for Health, we see firsthand how often OSHA compliance comes up in our conversations with clients. It’s a constant concern, and rightly so—OSHA compliance isn’t a one-time effort but an ongoing process. That’s why we’ve integrated powerful features into our platform to help you stay compliant effortlessly. Simplifying Compliance with HR for Health Our software is designed to automate and streamline many of the tasks associated with OSHA compliance. For example, our Continued Education automated alerts and updates ensure that your team stays on top of mandatory training and certifications. This feature is crucial because it ensures that your employees are always up-to-date with the latest safety protocols, which helps in maintaining a safe workplace. Documentation is another critical aspect of OSHA compliance. Your practice needs to keep detailed records of any work-related injuries or illnesses, as well as potential hazards. HR for Health offers unlimited e-document storage, so you never have to worry about running out of space or losing important documents. This secure storage solution means that all your compliance-related documents are organized, easily accessible, and safe from loss or damage. But compliance isn’t just about keeping records. It’s also about communication and ensuring that everyone in your practice is on the same page. Our platform includes integrated messaging, task management, and performance reviews, which help facilitate clear communication and make sure that no critical tasks are overlooked. This holistic approach to compliance ensures that your practice runs smoothly and that your employees are always aware of their responsibilities. Partnering with Abyde for a Complete Solution While HR for Health handles many of the HR aspects of compliance, we’ve partnered with Abyde to provide a complete OSHA compliance solution. Abyde’s platform is designed specifically to help healthcare practices navigate the intricacies of OSHA regulations. Their OSHA checklist is an excellent starting point, helping you identify which regulations apply to your practice and what steps you need to take to comply. Abyde also simplifies the training process. OSHA training is essential for ensuring that your employees understand safety protocols and know how to respond in case of an emergency. Abyde’s platform makes this training straightforward for managers and easy for employees to follow, reducing the administrative burden on your practice. Once your employees are trained, Abyde helps you maintain compliance with their tools for documenting safety and health incidents. This includes managing Work-Related Injury & Illness Logs and Sharps Injury Logs, which are critical for demonstrating compliance during an OSHA inspection. Creating a Culture of Safety Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about creating a culture of safety within your practice. By working with HR for Health and Abyde, you’re taking proactive steps to ensure that your workplace is as safe and efficient as possible. This not only protects your employees and patients but also enhances the overall productivity and morale of your team. OSHA compliance is a vital component of running a successful healthcare practice. By leveraging the combined strengths of HR for Health and Abyde, you can simplify this complex process and focus on what truly matters—caring for your patients and growing your practice. Ready to take your practice’s OSHA compliance to the next level? Visit HR for Health and Abyde to learn how our platforms can help your practice succeed.

Workplace Violence OSHA Software
Best Practices, OSHA

Transforming Healthcare Safety: Managing Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements with Smart Solutions

June 27, 2024 Comments Off on Transforming Healthcare Safety: Managing Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements with Smart Solutions

June 27, 2024 Workplace violence, unfortunately, is a highly prevalent experience in healthcare. Shockingly, healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than any other industry. Despite the challenges, healthcare workers assume an essential role, and it’s crucial for staff to feel secure and supported in their environment. Legislation at the state level ensures that all staff, regardless of industry, receive proper training and care for workplace violence. For example, California has passed a workplace violence bill, SB 553, which will take effect on July 1st. This bill will significantly impact workplaces by mandating expanded documentation, training, and other measures related to workplace violence. While this is still at the state level, several states are enacting legislation around workplace violence. While California’s SB 553 is the first to be enacted, Texas is quickly following suit, with a similar law going into effect in September. As more states pass similar laws, they’re likely to become federal legislation, meaning regardless of state, it’s important to stay informed about new requirements.  What is SB 553?  SB 553, California’s workplace violence bill, is one of the newest pieces of legislation drafted by CalOSHA. This bill introduces new requirements, such as an expanded injury log for specific workplace violence injuries, thorough training, and a workplace violence prevention plan (WVPP).  These new elements will ensure staff is properly educated on this topic and that a process is in place if a situation arises.  Similar to HIPAA documentation, this documentation must be customized to fit your specific practice or business. Using templates won’t suffice. In the event of a workplace violence incident, your team must understand the process for handling the situation and identify the risks and vulnerabilities that could most affect them. This involves outlining designated roles and responsibilities. This detailed plan is known as a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan or WVPP and is a new requirement in all workplaces in California (and more states soon to follow).  This bill provides a detailed process for preventing workplace violence. If your practice already follows CalOSHA’s requirements for workplace violence in healthcare, you are exempt from this new law for the general industry.  It includes requirements for thorough training, a workplace violence protection plan, and mandatory incident reporting. Just as sharps injuries must be reported separately, workplace violence incidents must also be reported separately. How Managing OSHA for Healthcare with Smart Solutions Can Help As new laws are enacted, old documentation and processes can quickly become obsolete. The compliance landscape constantly changes, so staying informed is crucial to safeguard your practice. Intelligent, cloud-based software solutions like Abyde receive frequent updates, providing your practice with the latest information necessary to keep it secure and compliant with new laws. Dynamic software also rapidly updates your policies, procedures, logs, and more, continuously updating your documentation with the latest developments. Download Abyde’s Workplace Violence Prevention checklist today to see where your OSHA program currently stands to protect your business.

Why OSHA Compliance Matters in Healthcare
Best Practices, OSHA

Don’t Be a Statistic: Why OSHA Compliance Matters in Healthcare

June 6, 2024 Comments Off on Don’t Be a Statistic: Why OSHA Compliance Matters in Healthcare

June 6, 2024 Did you know that the healthcare industry has some of the highest rates of illness and injury despite being a place for healing? OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the governing body that protects workers’ rights throughout all industries. Given the healthcare industry’s risks and hazards, such as exposure to bloodborne pathogens, sharps, chemicals, and more, healthcare workers’ rights under OSHA are particularly crucial.  OSHA enforces the protection of healthcare workers’ rights through legislature, audits, and fines that every practice needs to know about.  Why is OSHA Important in Healthcare?  OSHA is vital in reducing risks and illnesses in the healthcare industry. Since its introduction, OSHA has led to a significant drop in workplace fatalities and diseases, with the average number of cases decreasing from 10.9 per 100 in 1972 to 2.7 in 2022 –  a 75% decrease.   Reducing workplace incidents empowers and protects healthcare workers. This confidence and protection translate to a culture of compliance, where better working conditions elevate patient care and, ultimately, create a healthier environment for everyone. What does it mean to be OSHA Compliant?  Ensuring worker safety in healthcare requires ongoing attention. OSHA compliance must be proactive, involving the implementation of appropriate safeguards and regular, role-specific training. Practices need to provide training that covers workers’ roles and responsibilities so that they have the tools and knowledge necessary to stay safe at work. A Facility Risk Assessment (FRA), or analysis of a practice’s vulnerabilities, is required as part of a proactive OSHA compliance program. An FRA enables practices to address issues proactively before they escalate into unsafe workplace situations. OSHA compliance also involves providing workplace safety equipment, such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like gloves, masks, and other healthcare gear. To maintain a safe workplace, it is important to have easily accessible and transparent policies and procedures for all employees. This provides clear guidance to the staff on how to handle specific situations. For instance, Safety Data Sheets provide details on proper precautions and the properties of substances when handling chemicals, which are essential for ensuring a safe workplace. Reporting these incidents and ensuring they are appropriately followed up is crucial when issues occur at work. Employees should also feel comfortable and safe discussing potential violations without fearing repercussions. How Cloud-based Software Solutions Can Help  Managing OSHA can be complex for a practice, but utilizing a software solution can streamline the process. These intelligent solutions can dynamically manage OSHA requirements, like policies and procedures, ensuring clear documentation is easily accessible and always up to date, which minimizes risk to the business.  Beyond streamlining workflows, compliance software is a centralized resource. From the FRA to user-friendly training modules, a comprehensive software suite empowers employees to stay safe and informed on the job. To learn more about how Abyde can assist your practice in developing a culture of OSHA compliance, schedule an educational consultation. 

Promoting Safety in Dentistry
Best Practices, OSHA

Smile with Confidence: Promoting Safety in Dentistry

April 16, 2024 Comments Off on Smile with Confidence: Promoting Safety in Dentistry

April 16, 2024 Happy Toothsday! Okay, okay, yes, we know that was bad. Regardless, we hope you’re having a lovely beginning of the week.  Working in dentistry can be very rewarding, You know that confident feeling of rocking a fantastic smile? In dentistry, you get to create that feeling for people every day.  However, dentistry comes with challenges, like working with sharps daily and the possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens.   Here at Abyde, we’re all about prevention and safety. Today, we’re jumping right into promoting safety in dental offices. By following the right procedures, you can focus on what’s important: creating dazzling smiles!  Gear Up for Grins When working at your practice, having the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital. PPE encompasses all the protective gear you need to wear to ensure your safety while working with patients. This includes equipment like: While your masks and gloves might not be the most fashionable statement pieces, by rocking the correct PPE, you can minimize exposure to germs and other dental hazards, keeping you safe.  Let’s face it (pun intended!), dentistry can get a little…messy at times.  That’s where PPE comes in!  Face shields and glasses act as your splash guards, keeping your eyes protected from any flying fluids or debris. Gloves also minimize contact, keeping your hands covered when delivering exceptional patient care.  This way, you can focus on creating beautiful smiles without worrying about exposure. Syringe Savvy Using sharps is part of the dental world. That’s why we recommend the latest and safest tools. Think of it this way: those fancy safety features on your dental devices aren’t just bells and whistles – they’re game-changers! Sure, change can be a bit daunting, but these innovations are designed to make your practice safer, smoother, and ultimately, more awesome.   Some of the common safety tools include:  Bite-sized Learning When protecting your staff, training is key. With excellent training, your staff can be equipped with the knowledge they need to be safe.  This includes mastering the proper steps for sharps and bloodborne pathogens, two of the most common safety issues in a dentist’s office.  These situations can be tricky, but with the proper training, your team can conquer any challenge with ease.  How Abyde Can Help We know that paperwork and regulations can feel like a cavity that just won’t quit. That’s why we make it simple. Abyde is a software solution that makes compliance easy. With Abyde, we offer a variety of resources to make compliance a breeze, including training on everything you need for dental compliance.  To learn more about what it takes to be compliant in your dental practice, email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a consultation here.

Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention
Best Practices, OSHA

Your Safety Matters: Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare

April 15, 2024 Comments Off on Your Safety Matters: Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare

April 15, 2024 Hi everyone! We hope you had a nice weekend!  We’re starting this week with a heavier, but necessary article. We ALL deserve to feel safe and comfortable when at work – no, ifs, ands, or buts.  This is especially true for our healthcare workers. It’s a stressful job, and on top of the pressure, they shouldn’t have to worry about violence or unsafe working conditions. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Workplace violence is especially common in healthcare, disproportionately affecting healthcare workers. For example, workplace violence is FIVE more times as likely to occur in private healthcare practices and social assistance programs than in any other industry sector.  This is unacceptable. But, hey, here’s a half-glass-full mindset! There’s always a way to change that! We need to create a better workplace for our healthcare employees.  Today, we’re diving into the best ways to build a culture of safety and compliance in your practice, so your staff feels empowered and safe.  Leading the Charge To ensure a team feels safe and secure in the workplace, their leaders must establish a culture of compliance. While we talk about a culture of compliance often, what does that mean?  From leadership,  means guiding and ensuring the safety of employees, having clear policies in place, providing worthwhile training, and much more. This behavior is not just after an incident, but continuously, cultivating an environment where staff feels safe and supported.  All employees must feel heard and supported in the workplace, encouraging open communication about their experiences and what can be done to make the workplace even better. Employees are the heart of any healthcare setting, and their safety is paramount. To empower them to feel secure, clear reporting methods are crucial. This includes offering multiple channels, like a confidential hotline or online portal, to report any situation that raises a red flag.  But safety isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a continuous journey that requires ongoing commitment from leadership. By incorporating these elements, leadership fosters a culture of compliance where staff feels safe and supported at work, knowing their concerns are heard and acted upon, ultimately creating a safer work environment for everyone. Violence? Yeah, No, Gotta Go In part of implementing a culture of compliance, ensure all staff is aware that there is a zero-tolerance policy for violence in the workplace. This policy encompasses all employees, patients, visitors, and in general, anyone who comes into contact with a practice’s employees. This zero-tolerance policy covers everything that goes beyond respectful interactions.  By establishing a zero-tolerance policy, you protect your employees. By making clear consequences for workplace violence, your staff can focus on what they do best: healing others.  How Abyde Can Help Workplace violence in healthcare is unfortunately an epidemic in the field. For instance, 64% of clinicians have felt physically unsafe at work.  At Abyde, we believe a strong culture of compliance shouldn’t be a burden. That’s why we offer revolutionary compliance software that simplifies the process for everyone.  With Abyde, all employees become active participants in creating a safe and secure work environment. By making compliance easier, Abyde empowers your staff with the knowledge and resources they need to be successful. This translates to a more confident and engaged workforce.  No one deserves to feel unsafe at work, and with Abyde, we’re all taking a step towards a safer, more positive work environment for everyone. Get started on building a culture of compliance today! Email info@abyde.com and schedule a consultation here. 

HIPAA vs OSHA
HIPAA, Legislation, OSHA

What’s HIPAA? What’s OSHA? What’s the Difference?

April 11, 2024 Comments Off on What’s HIPAA? What’s OSHA? What’s the Difference?

April 11, 2024 Now, when you work in healthcare, you’re not only responsible for the care of patients but also a slew of compliance regulations.  Sometimes, it can be confusing and overwhelming. The world of healthcare throws a whole lot of acronyms and regulations your way. HIPAA? OSHA? What do they mean? Well, don’t worry, this isn’t a pop quiz. We’re here to shed some light on these common compliance regulations and what they mean for your practice or business.  HIPAA: Hip Hip Hooray for Patient Privacy First, if you are a Covered Entity (CE) or Business Associate (BA), you have most likely heard of HIPAA.  HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guides how the Protected Health Information (PHI) of patients must be secure and safe. HIPAA also establishes the standards for how this sensitive health information is exchanged. HIPAA was signed into law by Bill Clinton almost 30 years ago, in 1996.  HIPAA was established as we made major technological strides. As technology continued to advance and was making its way into healthcare, with ePHI, or electronic Protected Health Information, it was time for legislation to be put in place.   HIPAA is composed of three key components: the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, and the Breach Notification Rule.  There is also the HIPAA Omnibus Rule of 2013, which expanded the definition of Business Associates, encompassing all that create, receive, or transport PHI on behalf of a Covered Entity.  HIPAA regulations are enforced by the Office For Civil Rights (OCR), under the HHS. HIPAA violations can incur major monetary penalties and monitoring of a practice or business by the government. These fines can cost millions of dollars, so your practice must be HIPAA compliant!  OSHA: Oh shucks, Little ol’ me? With OSHA in Healthcare, we flip the script from HIPAA.  Instead of focusing on patients, it’s about you!  Healthcare workers and Business Associates, or under OSHA, known as third-party vendors, falling under Joint Responsibility, are protected by this federal legislation.  OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established when the OSH ACT was signed by Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970. The administration itself was enacted as a result of this legislation, opening April 28, 1971. This workers’ rights legislation came at a time when there were limited protections for employees, and this federal law granted protection to employees from all industries. OSHA encompasses much more than just healthcare, providing legislation and regulation to every industry you can think of: from factories to construction sites, to even offices.  OSHA is very prevalent in healthcare, ensuring employees feel safe and protected in their practice. For instance, common OSHA healthcare concerns include proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), handling sharps, and potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  Different from HIPAA, since OSHA is an administration rather than just a law, OSHA enforces its regulations. OSHA enforcement can also cost a pretty penny: costing thousands per violation, with repeated violations going up to over $160,000.  How Abyde Can Help Well, that was a lot of compliance talk!  HIPAA and OSHA are two very important compliance regulations that protect both patients and employees. While compliance might feel like an added responsibility, it’s vital for the protection and safety of everyone. Without HIPAA and OSHA, patients’ privacy wouldn’t be protected and employees wouldn’t have safety and health standards in the workplace!  At Abyde, we simplify the compliance process, offering HIPAA and OSHA solutions. We even make it easy. We know that this compliance jargon and rules can be stressful, so our mission is to have practices and businesses Never Stress Over Compliance Again. We offer streamlined documentation, dynamically generated for your organization. We turned the daunting Security Risk Analysis or Facility Risk Assessment for OSHA into a minutes-long questionnaire. We also provide entertaining training that equips employees with the knowledge they need. Abyde offers many more resources to keep you on your compliance A-game.  To learn more about what you need for compliance, email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a consultation here for Covered Entities and here for Business Associates. 

Safe Healthcare Work Environment
Best Practices, OSHA

Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Work Environment: Tips for Healthcare

March 29, 2024 Comments Off on Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Work Environment: Tips for Healthcare

March 29, 2024 Happy Friday! Cheers to another work week conquered. When at work, we all deserve to feel safe and healthy. Healthcare workers face a unique challenge. You juggle patient care like a pro, but keeping yourself healthy can feel like another battle entirely. Well, we’re here to give you some tips on maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.  Safety First!  First and foremost, ensure you’re all trained and aware of what you must do to be safe. With software like Abyde, we make training fun! Our entertaining OSHA training challenges the status quo, with interactive activities and videos that can be done at your own pace, keeping your practice open and not in boring training sessions.  Get stylish! Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required in the workplace, making sure you all have the, maybe not so fashionable, but functional protective gear to handle any situation in healthcare. For instance, gloves are a MUST, keeping healthcare workers and patients safe from germs.  Like a dad on a family vacation, make sure your practice has a plan for every situation, keeping everyone on your team on the same page. Having policies and procedures in place allows your practice to be confident and secure in what you must do to keep all employees safe. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry! As an Abyde user, we make documentation easy, dynamically generating personal policies and procedures for your practice, giving you a game plan on employee safety.  Culture of Compliance We preach about a culture of compliance, but what does that mean?  A culture of compliance means much more than understanding compliance. Compliance is not like those late nights in college cram studying for an exam, it’s the deliberate actions that keep you and your team safe every day at work.  Compliance isn’t a one-time deal, but the daily commitment to making the right choices. Compliance isn’t just about reacting to problems. A proactive approach, like using Abyde, shows your commitment to preventing issues.  Tools like our Facility Risk Assessment help identify areas for improvement before they become concerns, keeping your practice complaint. We even help you with this, with our ongoing compliance notifications, keeping your practice always in check.  By building out this culture of compliance, your team can feel empowered: confident and secure in where they work, knowing that they have the knowledge and tools to stay safe. This results in a happier and healthier workplace– and who doesn’t love that?  To help you maintain a safe and healthy work environment, reach out to your friends at Abyde! Have questions? email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a compliance consultation here! 

What are Bloodborne Pathogens
OSHA

What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

March 28, 2024 Comments Off on What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

March 28, 2024 Want to know what’s up with bloodborne pathogens? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In honor of our blog yesterday about how to handle a sharps accident, we’re venturing into the world of bloodborne pathogens.  When working in healthcare, you’ll likely run into bloodborne pathogens, so much so that OSHA developed the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.  Handling bloodborne pathogens can be risky but with knowledge under your belt and along with the right precautions, you can manage any situation with confidence.  Blood Stuff 101 If you get queasy, sorry in advance, but to talk about bloodborne pathogens means, well, we have to talk about blood.  Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in blood and that can cause serious diseases.  Some of the most common bloodborne pathogens include malaria, Hepatitis B and C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Now, the good news is that safety measures are constantly improving. While accidental exposures still happen –  around 3 million healthcare workers encounter these pathogens each year – we’re getting better at preventing them. These viruses can wreak havoc on your health but fear not! By handling them with care, we can keep them firmly in their place. Game Over, Germs! Ready to learn how to handle bloodborne pathogens? No sweat! Here are some key things to remember. First, before even handling any bloodborne pathogens, make sure you have a List of Exposure Tasks ready, or your game plan when working with these pesky pathogens.  When you’re working with bloodborne pathogens, safely handle them and have disposal ready for any procedure. Utilize the device’s safety features, like needles that retract or have a safety shield. Used needles and other sharps need to go into a biohazard waste basket, separate from other trash.   Get suited up! Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when working with bloodborne pathogens. The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the CDC standard precautions include gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and face shields.  If you are accidentally pricked, stay calm and read our article here about the steps you need to take.  And of course, make sure you’re trained on bloodborne pathogens and sharps safety. With the Abyde OSHA software, we have entertaining and informational (yes, they can go together!) training on bloodborne pathogens and sharps in our software. The best part? You can complete the training at your own pace. No need to close your practice for the day!  Also, an added bonus of the Abyde software includes access to our amazing team of compliance experts, here to answer any of your questions, like any bloodborne pathogen concerns.  Want to Never Stress Over Compliance Again? Email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a consultation here!

Healthcare Sharps Accident
Best Practices, OSHA

Don’t Panic: Steps to Take After a Sharps Accident

March 27, 2024 Comments Off on Don’t Panic: Steps to Take After a Sharps Accident

March 27, 2024 OUCH!  Getting pricked by a needle or a sharp object never feels good, especially when you work in healthcare. From the moment you accidentally prick yourself, it’s go-go-go in terms of your safety.  Sharps accidents are very common in healthcare. Not only 53% of injuries from disposable syringes affect nurses, but 25% of these injuries impact non-users, like other clinical team members, and even Business Associates (BAs) like waste disposal workers. Since it’s common, It’s super important that you know your game plan if something like this happens.  Need some guidance on where to start? Look no further, Abyde has you covered.  Stay Calm Everybody, stay calm!  To avoid your practice looking like Dunder Mifflin during the fire drill, take some deep breaths.   While it’s imperative to start taking care of yourself quickly, staying calm is key. Most of the time, the situation will turn out fine if you take the right steps and follow up with a medical provider.  Also, have an Exposure Task Form completed, a preventative measure that lists how your practice handles accidental exposure. With Abyde, we have one ready for you in our software.  Let’s Get You Fixed Up Right after the incident occurs, immediately receive First Aid treatment, protecting the wound. Make sure that First Aid equipment is readily available.  Then, it’s time for medical attention. By assessing the situation and introducing medical attention, you’re on the right track. Let the doctor taking care of you know your situation, where you work, what kind of sharp it was, and what you might have been exposed to. Depending on the situation, different methods of treatment need to be followed.  For instance, if you are exposed to HIV, there is post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, which is medication to prevent the contraction of the disease. You need to be on PEP within three days of exposure, so time is of the essence in needlestick injuries.  Blood Report Card  Now, I know it’s not fun, but it is very important after getting pricked by a needle or sharp to get blood tested. This blood test will let you know your next steps.  When getting a blood test, make sure an HBV/HIV Testing Consent due to Accidental Exposure form is filled out. Additionally, get an Accident/Exposure Investigation Report filled out If you’re an Abyde user, we have both conveniently in our OSHA software, making the paperwork process for this easier.  Report it!  If a sharps injury occurs, make sure that you report it in the Abyde software! We have  convenient Work-Related Injury & Illness and Sharps Injury logs that have all the information needed to report an injury. This information will also be added to your yearly required OSHA forms that are generated from the software. Need some help? We’re here for you with our awesome team of compliance experts, here for you every step of the way as you navigate this stressful process.  Unfortunately, Mistakes Happen Mistakes happen. It’s totally normal to be freaked out a bit. But deep breaths, okay? Staying calm is key for your health and safety. Get checked out ASAP by medical attention and have some blood tests run.  Sharps injuries are never a fun situation to deal with, but with the right compliance training and software, your team can be prepared.  Your team can easily learn the ropes of OSHA with our easy-to-use software. Analyze your vulnerabilities with our Facility Risk Assessment, seeing what your practice needs to know to ensure a safe work environment.  Our OSHA software also includes thorough, but enjoyable, training on everything you need to know, including how to handle bloodborne pathogens and sharps incidents!  Learn more about how Abyde can help your practice achieve grade-A compliance, email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a compliance consultation here.

History of OSHA
OSHA

The History of OSHA: More than Just Regulations

March 26, 2024 Comments Off on The History of OSHA: More than Just Regulations

March 26, 2024 A long time ago in a galaxy far far away…  Okay, maybe the history of OSHA might not be that entertaining. But, let’s be honest, being aware of the history of safety measures for your practice might be a little more important than knowing the planet Obi-Wan Kenobi is from (Stewjon, if you’re wondering).  Today, we’re going over the history of OSHA. Don’t worry about this being a total snoozefest like history classes in high school, that’s not what we do here.  Get comfortable, because we’re diving right into the history of this agency for workers’ rights.  Back to Basics OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the government agency that ensures employees are safe and healthy. When workplaces do not follow OSHA protocols, consequences are sure to follow.  OSHA dates back to 1970. Now, most might think of the 60s and 70s as a time of bell bottoms and groovy music, but before OSHA, there were few, if any, standards for employee safety. There were attempts before for federal-level workers’ safety legislation under Lyndon B. Johnson in ‘68, but were unsuccessful.  Before OSHA, just in the year 1970, over 14,000 people died at work. As more people were hurt and fatally injured at work, something had to happen. After years of trying to get workers’ safety regulated on a federal level, on December 29, 1970, Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or the OSH Act. Now, that’s something a lot better on your resume than Watergate!  What Does This Mean?  Okay, awesome, it was signed. Now what? How did this piece of legislation lead to the OSHA we know and love today?  Well, the OSH Act went into effect early the following year, on April 28, 1971.  As a result of workers’ safety regulations reaching a federal level, OSHA and the NIOSH, or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, were established.  OSHA and NIOSH (say that three times fast!) are sister agencies, with the same mission of mitigating and eliminating workplace injuries.  OSHA’s job is to enforce regulations and standards, while NIOSH is the researcher, making recommendations on new legislation to keep employees safe.  In its first decade, OSHA set out to tackle some of the largest issues in the workplace: asbestos, lead, carcinogens and cotton dust. OSHA training standards were established, and some whistleblower protections were also introduced.  OSHA got busy, fast. Over its course of existence, there have been numerous rules and legislation adopted to ensure the safety of employees. For instance, in the 80s, the Supreme Court ruled that the OSH Act protects employees who refuse unsafe work. The 80s (other than awesome movies) included legislation for the certification of equipment, and protection against noise, grain dust, and hazardous energy.  The 90s, a time full of grunge and social awareness, introduced numerous healthcare rules, like how to handle bloodborne pathogens in the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, falls, toxic substances, laboratory safety, and more.  There have been a variety of historical events that have influenced OSHA in the 21st century. In the 2000s, 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina brought into focus new protections and emergency response plans. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was also signed, revolutionizing the medical field, requiring things like safer medical devices and a sharps injury log. The 2010s welcomed new rules regarding oil spills in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.  The latest major OSHA history news surrounds COVID-19, with the unprecedented pandemic introducing new rules to ensure employees were safe.  OSHA in Action  OSHA has made an undeniable impact on the safety of employees. Since OSHA was established, workplace deaths and illnesses have fallen by nearly 70%!  Since its introduction in 1970, OSHA has empowered employees to feel safe at work by providing safety guidelines and enforcement. Without OSHA, employees would not have the safety frameworks they need and deserve to do their jobs safely.  We hope you’ve enjoyed our history lesson today.  A+s for all of our Abyde users!  While OSHA has greatly benefited the safety of employees, it’s up to your practice to make sure you’re following OSHA protocols, keeping your employees safe.  Abyde can be your OSHA solution, making sure you’re staying OSHA-compliant and up-to-date with all legislation. To learn more about where your practice’s compliance currently stands, email us at info@abyde.com and schedule a consultation here.

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