Emergency Department

Risk of:

• Infection.
• Allergic reactions.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to undiagnosed infectious TB.
• Exposure to infectious body fluids such as blood, saliva and other body fluids.
• Exposure to contaminated aerosols e.g. showers harbouring Legionella bacteria.

Risk of:

• Health effects such as allergies and dermatitis.
• Reproductive hazards.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to soap, latex consumables, disinfectants or drugs.
• Dealing with a chemically contaminated patient.
• Exposure during drug administration e.g. inhaling over pressurised vials or needlestick injury.

Risk of:

• Road collision.
• Back pain.

Possible causes:

• High speed driving under emergency conditions.
• Poor ergonomic set up / inadequate lumbar support.
• Manual handling material from the vehicle.
• Sustained posture and duration of journey.

Risk of:

• Fire.
• Burns.
• Electric shock.

Possible causes:

• Faulty equipment.
• Overloading of sockets.
• Unsafe work practices.

Risk of:

• Pain in neck, back or arms.
• Musculoskeletal disorders such as carpel tunnel syndrome.

Possible causes:

• Poor ergonomic workstation set up.
• Lack of adjustable equipment.
• Static awkward or sustained postures.

Risk of:

• Electric shock.
• Injuries to feet.

Possible causes:

• Improper use.
• Lack of training.
• Improperly grounded or faulty equipment.
• Falling objects such as medical instruments.

Risk of:

• Burns.
• Smoke inhalation.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Storing material near ignition sources e.g. electrical fuse boards or lights.
• Faulty electrics.
• Overloaded sockets.
• Blocked fire exits.

Risk of:

• Genetic / cell / tissue damage.
• Cancer.
• Reproductive health problems.
• Death.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to radiation from portable or mobile x-ray machines e.g. assisting trauma patients.
• Providing emergency care to patients who have received therapeutic amounts of radionuclides.
• Failure to follow safe systems of work.

Risk of:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.

Possible causes:

• Lack of or unsuitable mechanical handling aids.
• Inappropriate lifting techniques.
• Lifting too heavy weights.
• Poorly designed work areas e.g. limited space for using lifting equipment.

Risk of:

• Hearing damage / loss.
• Physiological effects.
• Work related stress.
• Increased risk of accidents.

Possible causes:

• Exposure to emergency air transport e.g. helicopters.

Risk of:

• Inoculation injuries.
• Cuts.
• Infection.
• Stress.

Possible causes:

• Needlestick injuries due to improperly discarded needles, overloaded sharps boxes or poor technique.
• Sharp medical instruments.
• Broken bone fragments.
• Teeth bites.

Risk of:

• Digestion problems.
• Heart disease.
• Sleep problems.

Possible causes:

• Changing shifts.
• Working nights.

Risk of:

• Minor injuries such as cuts to major injuries such as broken bones, concussion and even death.

Possible causes:

• Poor housekeeping.
• Uneven surfaces or changes in level.
• Wet or slippery surfaces.
• Slipping on debris such as bandages, blood, IV fluids and plastics especially during emergency situations.
• Cables crossing pathways.
• Cluttered or obstructed work areas.
• Several people working in a compact area.
• Distractions e.g. reading documents whilst walking.

Risk of:

• Psychological disorders.
• Health effects.

Possible causes:

• Work organisation.
• Dealing with intense emotional situations.
• Making life or death decisions.
• Shift work.
• Time pressure.
• Excessive work load or demands.
• Combative patients.
• Role ambiguity.
• Poor management ability.
• Inadequate resources.
• High or unrealistic patient expectations.
• Bullying.

Risk of:

• Being hit or run over by a vehicle.

Possible causes:

• Reversing vehicles e.g. ambulance.
• Lack of traffic management.
• Poor workplace layout.

Risk of:

• Physical injury.
• Stress.
• Psychological disorders.

Possible causes:

• Crowded or emotional situations.
• Delivering bad news.
• Long waiting times.
• Aggressive, confused or upset patients or family members.

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