Environmental and Global Health Issues

Workplace safety is a critical health issue in aged care given that workers are exposed to a myriad number of hazards and risks that may affect their physical as well as emotional well-being.

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 1
Environmental and Global Health Issues
Student’s Name
Institution

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 2
Environmental and Global Health Issues
Workplace safety is a critical health issue in aged care given that workers are exposed to
a myriad number of hazards and risks that may affect their physical as well as emotional well-
being (Phelan, 2015). At Regis Salisbury, similar hazards and risks are faced both by residents
and workers in this facility. Workers in these facilities devote time and efforts to provide quality
medical services to the residents and further put the needs of these patients before their own.
However, risks such as manual handling of hazardous chemicals, strips and falls, and
mismanagement of apparatus all jeopardize aged care workers’ safety (Commonwealth of
Australia, 2012).
Organization Description about Regis Age Care
Regis Salisbury is a 136 bed facility that is primed at offering healthcare services
including; ageing in place, palliative care, and dedicated care for dementia. The facility also
features other religious services such as massage therapy and residents’ library. In 2015, the
Regis Salisbury was awarded the facility of the year in comparison to all the other subsidiary
facilities of Regis in Australia (Regis Healthcare, 2018).
Identified Risks
Manual handling of hazardous products, slipups, tripling and tumbles, and mishandling
of equipment are the main risks for workers in the aged care facility. Also, challenging and
aggressive behaviors from residents and clients also poised significant mental health risks for the
workers in Regis Salisbury. Major consequences arising from these risks ranged from minor and
major physical injuries to workplace violence and subsequent psychological effects.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 3
Hazardous manual tasks occurred when workers performed activities such as mobility
tasks for residents, moving/transporting residents, mopping and vacuuming, bending to make and
adjust beds, and moving boxes or resident records. Oily or wet floors, poor lighting, obstructions
such as furniture and boxes, and carrying loads which obstruct workers view were the likeliest
causes of slips, trips and falls. Irritated and moody patients especially those diagnosed with
dementia were at the center of aggressive behaviors towards workers. Verbal abuse and threats
were thus casted towards the carers in this facility (Regis Aged Care, 2019). These risks are
further detailed in the template attached below.
Work Health and Safety Standards
Every employer has a general duty of care implying that they are responsible for the
welfare of workers as well as other persons within the working environment. In an aged care
facility, the employers or the facility would thus be responsible for the safety of; medical
professionals, visitors, residents and contractors (Work Safe Victoria, 2018). In Australia,
requirements have also been put in place which details the duties of the employer in the event
that a worker is injured or becomes ill as a result of hazards within the workplace environment
(GSA, 2011). Codes of practice in each state and territory are also supposed to provide guidance
in handling of issues which may cover aspects such as injury management, manual handling and
hazardous substances (Commonwealth of Australia, 2012).
Discussion Related to Policies
In consideration of the first safety concept mentioned above, Regis Aged Care has been
committed to guarantee and enhance the safety of their occupants and clienteles through
procedures or practices that are continually revised and evaluated by the Regis’ quality and

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 4
compliance team. As such, the facility maintains a program that is dedicated towards enhancing
cognizance of top practices in security at the clinical setting. The program also backs harm
avoidance for all the people affiliated with the facility including; employees, visitors and
residents. For workers who are affected psychologically, Regis offers employee assistance
program (EAP) where counseling is provided by a professional or an external expert (Regis
Healthcare, 2018).
The WHS committees as well as health and safety representative programs are some
of the communication and consultation programs established by Regis to enable the
administration to understand the workplace challenges that are faced by the workforce. The
communication of safety initiatives is done through various communication channels including;
safety posters, safety meetings and safety alerts (Regis Aged Care, 2019). Their evaluation of
risk and hazards is based on key lead and land indicators which track performance of safety
measures against the existing internal and external standards. Such indicators include; risk
assessment numbers, injury frequency rates and training completion rates (Regis Healthcare,
2018).
Risk Management Strategies
For manual hazardous tasks, Regis encourages workers to implement minimal lifting
approach aside from cases where patients are critically ill or unable to walk or move. Beds are
also raised using the bed locks to suit the heights of workers. The facility has maintained that
workers should carry manageable sizes of loads or use available trolleys where possible to
minimize the risk of falls. Regis Salisbury undertakes training programs to coach employees on

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 5
how to communicate and manage residents who are aggressive. Workers are taught on how to
identify and diffuse cases of incivility before they occur.
Summarizing Findings
Workers at Regis Salisbury aged care facility face multiple workplace health issues
including but not limited to; risk of falls, handling of hazardous substance, hazardous manual
tasks, and aggressive behaviors from clients or residents. The facility has however undertaken
special measures to ensure that such health risks and hazards are mitigated. These measures
comprise; workers training on handling of equipment and heavy loads, training on
communication strategies to enable workers manage aggressive behaviors, and counseling
sessions through the EAP program to help workers manage any mental health issues arising from
the workplace.
Recommendations
Manual tasks such as mobility tasks can be improved upon by ensuring there are enough
staff to move residents with 30% over BMI. Trolleys to move loads should also be increased in
number. Extender wands for vacuum cleaning could also be essential. The risk of falls can be
minimized by better lighting and freeing up space for instance; by removing storage from main
walkways to create wide enough paths. It is also recommended that the facility allows workers
the permission to leave the workplace in cases where they are uncomfortable or face threats that
may affect their mental health (Mdfgroup, 2017).

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 6
References
Commonwealth of Australia. (2012). CHCOHS312B Follow Safety Procedures for Direct Care
Work: Modification History. Retrieved from
https://training.gov.au/TrainingComponentFiles/CHC08/CHCOHS312B_R1.pdf
Government of South Australia (GSA). (2011). Community Workers: Work Health and Safety
Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/3.20.5-
communityworkerswhsguidelines.pdf?v=1524456775
Mdfgroup. (2017). Why Health and Safety are Critical Elements when Working in Aged Care
Facilities. Retrieved from https://www.mdfgroup.com.au/health-safety-critical-elements-
working-aged-care-facilities/
Regis Aged Care. (2019). Regis Salisbury: Nursing Home from Regis Aged Care. Retrieved from
https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/regis-salisbury
Regis Healthcare. (2016). 2016 Annual Report. Retrieved from
https://www.regis.com.au/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Regis-Healthcare-Annual-
Report-2016.pdf
Regis Healthcare. (2018). Sustainability Report 2018. Retrieved from
https://www.regis.com.au/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/regis-sustainability-report-
181002.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES 7
Phelan, A. (2015). Protecting Care Home Residents from Mistreatment and Abuse: On the Need
for Policy. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 8, 215-223. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657805/
Work Safe Victoria. (2018). Aged Care: Safety Basics. Retrieved from
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/aged-care-safety-basics