This datasheet is one of the International Datasheets on Occupations.
It is intended for those professionally concerned with health and safety at work:
occupational physicians and nurses, safety engineers, hygienists, education and
Information specialists, inspectors, employers ' representatives, workers'
representatives, safety officers and other competent persons.
This datasheet lists, in a standard format, different hazards to which nurse, occupational healths
may be exposed in the course of their normal work. This datasheet is a source of
information rather than advice. With the knowledge of what causes injuries and diseases,
is easier to design and implement suitable measures towards prevention.
An occupational nurse is a healthcare worker who is a qualified nurse and assists the occupational physician, provides diverse healthcare services (including first aid) to employees, and advises management and employees on occupational health issues, in workplaces such as industrial plants, service companies, universities, research laboratories, and other public institutions or private enterprises.
| Accident hazards 
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- Slips, trips, and falls on wet floors, especially during emergency situations, after fires, or after chemical accidents.
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- Stabs and cuts from sharp objects, especially needle-sticks and cuts by blades.
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- Burns and scalds from contact with hot sterilizing equipment or hot water and steam pipes.
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- Electrical shock from faulty or improperly grounded equipment, or equipment with faulty insulation.
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- Injuries to legs and toes caused by falling objects, e.g., medical instruments
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- Injuries in the aftermath of major industrial accidents, e.g., from collapsing walls or debris, broken glass, dispersed chemicals, gases or vapors in the air, fire or explosions, loose electrical conduits, etc.
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| Physical hazards 
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- Exposure to radiation from x-ray and radioisotope sources.
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| Chemical hazards 
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- Skin defatting, irritation, and dermatoses because of frequent use of soaps, detergents, disinfectants, etc.
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- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat because of exposure to airborne aerosols or contact with droplets of washing and cleaning liquids.
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- Chronic poisoning because of long-term exposure to medications, sterilizing fluids (e.g., glutaraldehyde), anesthetic gases, etc.
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- Latex allergy caused by exposure to natural latex gloves and other latex-containing medical devices.
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| Biological hazards 
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- Infections due to the exposure to blood, body fluids or tissue specimens possibly leading to blood-borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
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| Ergonomic, psychosocial and organizational factors 
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- Fatigue and lower back pain due to unassisted handling of heavy accident victims or other unconscious patients.
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- Stress, strained family relations, and burnout due to shift-work, night work, overtime work, and contact with accident victims.
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- Strained relations with employees requesting unnecessary medications or unjustified sick leave, etc.
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- Exposure to severely traumatized patients, multiple victims of a disaster or catastrophic event or severely violent patients may lead to post-traumatic stress syndrome.
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Wear shoes designed for nurses, with non-slip soles.
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Handle sharp objects with extreme care; use special safety receptacles to store used hypodermic needles until disposal. Use safety needles, if available.
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Install ground fault circuit interrupters; call a qualified electrician to test and repair faulty or suspect equipment.
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Comply with all safety instructions on the installation and periodic inspection of electrical medical equipment.
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Keep all passages clearly visible and uncluttered.
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Wear a radiation dosimeter (badge or other) when exposed to radiation; comply with all safety instructions to reduce exposure to a minimum.
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Install air conditioning with effective general ventilation in the emergency room to reduce heat stress and remove odors, gases, and vapors.
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Provide eye wash bottles or fountains.
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Nurses sensitive to natural rubber latex must use non-latex or powder-free latex gloves and avoid contact with other latex products.
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Follow established appropriate infection control precautions assuming blood, body fluids and tissue are infectious
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Routinely use barriers (such as gloves, eye protection (goggles or face shields) and gowns)
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Wash hands and other exposed skin surfaces after coming into contact with blood or body fluids
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Follow appropriate procedures in handling and disposing of sharp instruments or needles
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Provide lifting aids for the lifting and transport of heavy patients; consult an occupational safety specialist on the safe handling of heavy patients.
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Procedures and counselling services should be available to workers exposed to post-traumatic stress syndrome
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| Synonyms |
Industrial nurse; nurse, staff, industrial; occupational nurse
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Definitions and/or description |
Provides nursing services and first aid to employees or persons who become ill or injured on premises of department store, industrial plant, or other establishment. Takes patient's vital signs, treats wounds, evaluates physical condition of patient, and contacts physician and hospital to arrange for further medical treatment when needed. Maintains record of persons treated and prepares accident reports and insurance forms. Develops employee programs such as health education, accident prevention, alcohol abuse counseling, curtailment of smoking, and weight control regimens. May assist physician in physical examination of new employees [DOT].
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| Related and specific occupations |
Resident nurse (any specific workplace), nursing superintendent - occupational health, occupational health consultant
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| Primary equipment used |
Blood collection or infusion equipment; cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing equipment; diagnostic equipment (e.g., x-ray, ECG, blood pressure, etc.); first-aid equipment; inoculation equipment; office equipment (including, e.g., computer and peripherals); patient handling equipment; personal rotective equipment (safety shoes, goggles, medical gloves, etc.); resuscitation equipment
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| Workplaces where the occupation is common |
Employee healthcare clinics or first-aid rooms in industrial plants, miscellaneous services, universities, research laboratories, and other public institutions or private enterprises
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| Notes 
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- In large workplaces, the employee's healthcare premises are frequently equipped as, and provide the services of, a small hospital. As a result, the occupational health nurse is exposed to many hazards similar to those of emergency-room staff. Also, there are the hazards of operating modern diagnostic equipment used for employee's medical examinations (e.g., x-ray equipment).
- In any workplace, the occupational health nurse is exposed to the specific environmental hazards of that place, e.g., chemical hazards in chemical and pharmaceutical plants, radiation hazards in a nuclear power plant, etc.
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| References 
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Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 3rd Ed., ILO, Geneva, 1983, Vol.2, p.1528-1532.
Occupational Disease - A Guide to their Prevention. DHEW- NIOSH Pub. 77-181,1977 (Multiple pages - see entry "Nurses" in index).
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and explained on the third page).