Standard Occupational Classification (SOC): Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) specialists play a critical role in promoting a safe and healthy workplace environment for healthcare workers. Healthcare workers face a range of hazards and risks in their daily work, including exposure to infectious diseases, ergonomic and musculoskeletal injuries, chemical and radiation exposures, workplace violence, and stress-related health issues.

OHS specialists in healthcare work to identify and assess these risks, develop and implement strategies to prevent and mitigate them, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. They collaborate with healthcare workers and management to establish and maintain effective safety policies and procedures, provide training and education on workplace hazards and safe work practices, and investigate workplace accidents and incidents to prevent future occurrences.

Some of the specific responsibilities of OHS specialists in healthcare may include:

Conducting risk assessments and workplace inspections to identify potential hazards and risks to healthcare workers.

Developing and implementing safety policies and procedures, including those related to infection control, safe patient handling, and workplace violence prevention.

Providing training and education to healthcare workers on safe work practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Conducting ergonomic assessments and implementing interventions to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

Investigating workplace accidents and incidents to identify root causes and prevent future occurrences.

Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of safety policies and procedures, and making recommendations for improvement.

Ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to workplace safety and health.

In summary, OHS specialists in healthcare play an essential role in promoting a safe and healthy workplace environment for healthcare workers. By identifying and assessing workplace hazards, developing and implementing safety policies and procedures, providing training and education, and investigating accidents and incidents, they help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and ensure compliance with regulations.