In Texas and other states, conditions have created a much more dangerous work environment for health care workers. Between contagious illness, fatigue and overwork, and other factors, these workers are at higher risk than in the past.
Health care worker risks
OSHA has taken note of the fact that injuries to health care workers are higher than in past years. The rise has several different sources, and employers need to take proactive steps in order to reduce the risk of further injuries. These steps might include better management of staffing to minimize fatigue, better safety around dangerous materials like blood or dangerous machines, and the development of a workplace violence prevention plan to reduce the threat of attacks on staff by patients or other people who might seek out confrontations. There is no simple solution to reducing injuries and risks to health care staff, and employers will need to adapt to their specific circumstances.
When a health care worker is hurt, they might need to file a worker’s compensation claim. These claims can make a big difference to the worker’s income if they cannot work, but insurance companies are often reluctant to pay them out. Understanding all the details of the employer’s steps to reduce their risk of injury is an important step in the process of creating a claim. It is important to get these claims right because the faster the process concludes, the faster the claim can be paid.
For health care workers, every shift can present a risk of injury. Having a supportive workplace and a good workers’ compensation program can help mitigate the effects of an injury at work.