GENERAL SAFETY

Purpose of the Plan

•Provide a safe environment .

•Provide an environment free of hazards.

•Reduce the risk of injuries to patients, employees, visitors, volunteers and physicians.

•Operational responsibility of the program Plan is Assigned to the Environmental Safety Officer and the Environment of Care/Safety Committee.

What is your responsibility in keeping a safe environment at the Hospital?

•Stay alert to unsafe practices and obstacles.

•Report unsafe conditions.

•Use handrails in stairwells.

•Work area- keep drawers closed, cords out of the way, no objects in hallways.

Be aware of potential hazards such as wet floors.

Wear proper non-slip soles.

Avoid slips, trips, and falls.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

•Use a 3-prong electric cord to ground equipment.

•Never connect a 3-prong electrical cord to a two-prong extension cord defeating the safety component.

•No extension cords may be used.

•Never unplug by pulling on the cord. Correct way to unplug

any electric cord.

Electrical Safety

Dangers associated with electricity

Fire

Electrocution

Burns

Death

Safety Surveillance

The Environment of Care Committee and Environment of Care Coordinators may conduct random safety checks. Example of survey items:

•Hallways free of obstacles.•Equipment, outlets, cords and furniture in good repair.•Staff’s detailed knowledge of how to respond to emergencies.•Medical gas cylinders secured.•Employee’s knowledge of who the Environmental Safety Officer is.