Environmental and Global Health Issues

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