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Health and safety risks, implications and training in hospitals

Vasiliki Brinia (Department of Management Science & Technology, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece)
Eleni Antonaki (Hellenic Open University, Patra, Greece)

Industrial and Commercial Training

ISSN: 0019-7858

Article publication date: 30 September 2013

1124

Abstract

Purpose

This paper was written in order to present research undertaken in several hospital units in Greece, in order to explore: nurses' knowledge on health risk factors associated with their work responsibilities, the ways that these factors interfere with their general condition of health (physically and psychologically) and their views on future training interventions on health and safety (H&S) issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological tools used were questionnaires completed by 213 nurses, who were working in various units of three Greek hospitals and structured interviews conducted with ten nurses, which allowed the researchers to explore more thoroughly the respondents' views/feelings on H&S risks, implications and training.

Findings

The most frequent hazard identified by nurses was hepatitis (biohazard), latex gloves and antiseptics (chemical hazards). The respondents declared that they consistently apply self-protection measures. They also acknowledged the importance of having a support mechanism among colleagues, which would provide them help when needed. They also appeared very keen on attending regularly H&S training programs, especially if these programs were administered during working hours.

Originality/value

The research has explored all types of health hazards (physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial) faced by nurses. The results of this study could be useful to hospital managers and H&S professionals who wish to take active measures in order to provide a safer working environment. There could also be comparisons with other similar research in other units/hospitals/health systems/countries, so as to examine whether – and for what reasons – there are differences in the way health professionals experience exposure to risk factors. Finally, this study might be useful to training designers/providers, who need to obtain a better understanding on nurses' educational/training needs when they organize and administer their various H&S training interventions.

Keywords

Citation

Brinia, V. and Antonaki, E. (2013), "Health and safety risks, implications and training in hospitals", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 45 No. 7, pp. 420-427. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-04-2013-0025

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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