Occupational Health Management Plan

This study focuses on the radiation exposure of healthcare workers and proposes a risk management plan to protect lab workers in radiation labs in the healthcare industry.

Occupational Health Management Plan
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Student Name
Student ID
Executive Summary
In this study, radiation exposure of healthcare workers has been focused that causes
harmful impacts. Definitions of different related terms are provided for increasing
understanding of the assignment. Different terms like occupational health hazards,
radiation hazards are described and defined in this part. Assessment of the risk and
demographics are evaluated in a proper way. Several literature sources are analyzed
and proper literature is collected and reviewed regarding policies and procedures of
intervention. A suitable management strategy is suggested and evaluated with help of
charts and diagrams. Moreover, monitoring process and emergency plan are described
in this strategy, which can help during any emergency situations.
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Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................ii
Industry or organization name....................................................................................2
An introduction............................................................................................................2
Definitions...................................................................................................................2
Workplace demography..............................................................................................3
Assessment of risk......................................................................................................3
Critical review of relevant literature.............................................................................4
Management Plan.......................................................................................................6
Emergency Response................................................................................................8
Evaluation................................................................................................................. 10
Conclusion................................................................................................................ 12
References............................................................................................................... 13
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Industry or organization name
Proposal for radiation lab of Healthcare industry
An introduction
Different medical laboratories use radiation for medical imaging, which helps in diagnostic
purposes. In recent years, use of radiation has increased dramatically that has increased
exposure of health workers. This is a prominent occupational health hazard and proper
protection and practices need to be implemented for protecting the workers. Main aim of this
assignment is to frame a risk management plan that can help lab workers in radiation labs by
protecting from harmful radiations. The purpose of this risk management plan is to provide
safety of radiation lab workers in healthcare industry. This is because long term exposure of
ionizing radiation can impact on cells, tissues and other body systems of lab workers.
Definitions
Occupational health hazards: Hazards that are faced by people at their workplace are
considered as occupational health hazards.
Diagnostic Radiation: radiation used in healthcare industry is termed as diagnostic
radiation. Healthcare industry uses radiations to provide medical support to patients in
radiology, radiotherapy and dentistry department.
Radiation hazards: Hazards caused by radiations on people, who work in radiation labs are
called radiation hazards. Often staffs of radiology, radiotherapy, and dentistry face radiation
hazards that affect their health (Klein & Bazavan, 2016).
Risk management plan: After identifying potential risks, a plan that is developed for
managing potential risks to minimize impact of risk on people.
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Workplace demography
In healthcare sector, radiation is used in different diagnostic laboratories like x-ray. In this
lab, diagnosis of broken and fractured bone is done. Moreover, radiology is also used in
other labs for performing computerized tomography and mammography. As mentioned by
El-Sallamy et al. (2018), these places are kept isolated and general public like visitors and
other patients are restricted in these places in a clinical setup. Moreover, radiation is also
used to treat diseases like cancer and here it is used as nuclear medicine. Demographically
worker from age group works in this sector and face risk of exposure. They work as a
technician of x-ray and ultrasound. Moreover, they are also appointed as MRI or CT
technician. In addition, nurses and therapists also work in radiation labs for providing
support to technicians and patients. They are also exposed to the danger of radiation
exposure. Workers in this section need to present all-time in the lab because it is an
emergency service.
Assessment of risk
Occupational hazards are faced by radiation lab workers in healthcare industry and these
hazards are main reason behind arising of health risks in healthcare staffs. Technicians of
radiotherapy, radiology and dentistry department work with radiation over years and both
direct as well as indirect induction of free radical into body cause chromosomal damage. As
opined by Orme et al. (2015), healthcare industry uses ionizing radiation and it has
carcinogenic potential. Stochastic effect of ionizing radiation may cause cancer in healthcare
technicians and non-stochastic effect of radiation cause damage of cells and tissue. Radiation
risk assessment includes assessment of risks and potential solutions. Hazard is identified at
first and related risk is estimated for analyzing risks. After that potential options are
developed and assessed.
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Government of countries introduces legislation for protecting healthcare technicians from
radiation. For example, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency
(ARPANSA) has developed and published standards and codes of controlling radiation
practice in healthcare industry. Andreassi et al. (2016) have suggested that these codes and
standards must maintain by hospital authorities to avoid ethical issues regarding radiation lab
workers. Limited exposure to radiation is maintained for protecting technicians of radiology
labs. Australian government has developed National Directory for Radiation Protection
(NDRP) for protecting people from radiation in healthcare industry.
It is important to maintain guideline of legal system regarding exposure of technicians to
radiation. For example, 1.25 rem exposures is safe for whole body, 18.75 rem exposure is
safe feat, ankles, forearms and hands, and 7.5 rem exposure is safe for skin of entire body for
three months (Gourzoulidis et al. 2016). Management of hospitals can provide training to
technicians regarding use of safety measures to avoid radiation-related risks. Educating
technicians may protect them from adverse effect of radiation. On another hand, lab
technicians must be replaced after a certain time period to other departments for protecting
them from long-term exposure to radiation.
Critical review of relevant literature
At present, advanced technologies and proper management system have helped to intervene
in this occupational health hazard to a greater extent. In many developed countries, a
radiation protection program has been initiated for occupational radiation protection. This is
done by applying proper structure, technologies, and policies (Awosan et al. 2016). For
example, x-ray imaging staffs need to food-specific policies and procedures that can act as
protective equipment. Radiation protection training is an essential intervention of this
occupational health hazard. As stated by Hill & Finster (2016), education and proper training
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help to implement radiation protection in healthcare industry. In most of the countries, it is
regulatory requirements for radiology workers to attend regular training programs regarding
protection from radiation. In addition, an x-ray radiation protection training apart from
occupational protection, training regarding patient protection is also given. This is because
the later can have significant influence on occupational radiation exposure. European
Commission has established few guidelines regarding training of medical staffs who are
vulnerable to exposure of radiation (Ahmed & Taha, 2017). Moreover, trainers from all over
the world can use several resources for training of radiation lab workers. This includes IAEA
materials, which is used for providing training to workers in diagnostic, radiology and
cardiology departments.
In Australia, different laws and legislation are there that protect lab workers from
occupational health hazards. The radiation act 2005 is framed in this country that helps to
protect health and provide safety of all persons who are exposed to harmful radiation (Abaza,
2016). This law has been commenced in 2007 (September 1). Moreover, radiation
amendment act 2013 consists of different regulations regarding operation if radiation and
dose limits. In addition, radiations regulations in 2007 have also specified dose limits. If a
person receives ionizing radiation for 5 consecutive years the effective dose limit is 20
millisievert. However, if an individual receives radiation for 12 months then effective dose
limit is 50 millisievert (Li et al. 2016).
Monitoring of occupational exposure is another intervention that has been applied during the
process of x-ray imaging. Occupational dose is mentioned in previously need to be
maintaining in all radiology laboratories that can help to eliminate the threat of radiation
exposure. As opined by Hidaka et al. (2016), dose limits help in preventing harmful impacts
of radiation exposure on body tissues and other areas. Moreover, application of proper
principle can help to ensure occupational doses to medical staffs during lab performance like
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x-ray imaging are kept low. Moreover, Rose, Uebel & Rae (2018) argued that purpose of
individual monitoring of radiation workers in health sector is to make sure that dose limits
are not exceeded, which can cause different physical implications. Regular monitoring and
assessment can also help to make a proper understanding regarding effectiveness of different
policies and procedures. Hence, it can be said that monitoring process helps to confirm that
good practice in health sector is taking place, which is eliminating occupational health
hazard.
Application of improved technology and device is another effective intervention that has
helped to suppress this occupational health hazard to a greater extent. Use of calibrated
dosimeters has helped in monitoring process and dose level can be measured effectively. In
addition, ring and bracelet dosimeters can be considered as current control measures. This
helps to monitor radiation level in fingers and hands. This special dosimeter is positioned in
places, which are likely to receive more radiation as compared to other body parts.
Moreover, use of technologically advanced machinery for performing diagnostic operations
has helped in achieving intervention process. Monitoring technologies has improved in last
few years all over the world that has helped to decrease impact of radiation on lab workers in
health sector. Structural shielding can help CT radiographers and x-ray technician to achieve
fewer doses of radiation.
Management Plan
Following steps are required to manage risks associated with radiation in healthcare industry,
 Hazard identification
Strict monitoring is required in radiotherapy, radiology and dentistry department of hospitals
for identifying potential risks. As opined by Lee et al. (2018), time period of exposure to
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radiation must be monitored. Communication with technicians on regular basis may help to
identify risks that are being faced by them. Past incidents of radiation hazards must be
investigated to identify potential risks.
 Evaluation of risks
Outcome of monitoring action taken by hospital management must be evaluated to
understand potentiality of risks. According to Singh (2016), consideration of effective
process for incident reporting may help to record all information that supports to identify
potential risks of radiation.
 Addressing risks
Planning for avoiding long term exposure to radiation is required in hospitals. Maintaining
equipment that emits radiation and preventing any kinds of leakage of radiation must be
ensured. Implementation of efficient engineering control to reduce risks related to radiation
is necessary. On another hand, Abaza (2016) have mentioned that development of safe
working practice within radiology, radiotherapy and dentistry department and encouraging
technicians to follow that practice may help to address radiation risks. Suitable dress must be
provided to technicians to protect them from radiation. Rotational job shift and rest break for
radiation technicians must be ensured in hospitals. It is important to maintain all controls that
are being implemented to reduce radiation risks.
 Provision of training
Training is the process to educate people regarding their roles and responsibilities. Radiation
lab technicians must attend training program arranged by hospital authority. Training must
be provided once in a month to educate technicians about process to avoid radiation hazards.
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Cooperation from the side of hospital technicians can help to ensure success of training
programs.
 Reviewing efficiency of management process
After implementing managing measures, hospital authorities must monitor its effectiveness.
For example, it needs to be checked whether technicians are following safe working practice
or not. Maintaining equipment must be monitored on regular basis. It is important to measure
health condition of radiation lab technicians at least one in every three months. This action
may help hospital authorities to review effectiveness of their risk management strategies.
Emergency Response
Emergency may be raised in radiation labs and technicians must be provided with emergency
response plan to avoid potential risks. Leakage of radiation may take place suddenly and
technicians must exit the room immediately along with the patient to avoid further risks. Fire
on lab can be considered as potential emergency and technicians must leave the lab as soon as
possible in case of fire.
Name of company Contact Title Phone no.
Expert engineer XXXX XXXX XX XXXX
Fire brigade XXXX XXXX XX XXXX
State Emergency services XXXX XXXX XX XXXX
This above table is required for maintaining emergency contact details that can be used in
case of emergency consequences at radiation lab.
Process Description of process Evacuation Reference Support
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point document
1. Leaving
radiation
lab during
leakage
2. Leaving
radiation
lab during
fire
1. Emergency exits can
be used to leave the lab
as soon as possible.
2. Fire extinguisher can
be used in case of small
fire incident and in case
of large incidents
emergency exits need to
be used to leave the lab.
Outside the
radiation lab
for both cases.
Emergency
actions
mentioned in the
company policy
must be
considered.
Floor plan of
radiation lab
is mentioned
below.
This above table is mentioning processes to deal with two different emergency situations.
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Figure 1: Floor plan of Radiation lab
(Source: Cloud.smartdraw.com, 2019)
Evaluation
Process Impact Outcomes evaluation
Hazard identification Potential hazards will be
identified
Increase in dose level of radiation can
be identified.
Evaluation of risks Extent of risk can be Current exposure rate and rise in dose
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known level can be known.
Addressing risks Risk factor can be
minimized
Risk of exposure to radiation in health
labs can be decreased.
Provision of training Knowledge about the
risk can be increased
among workers
Worker can have proper training
regarding harmful impact of radiation
and techniques to gain safety.
Reviewing efficiency
of management
process
Future risk can be
avoided
Effectiveness of management practices
to reduce harmful impact of radiation
among workers can be known.
This chart describes different processes of the strategy and its impact. In addition, outcomes
of each step of this management strategy have been provided in the chart, which can help to
mitigate the problem of radiation in healthcare industry.
This plan can be monitored by forming a disciplinary board that can help in evaluating the
process as per legal standards. Members of this board need to guide health institutions
regarding maintaining every step of this strategy in a proper way. Monitoring process can be
done by this team with the help of advanced technologies like dosimeters. This device helps
in measuring dose level among workers who are exposed to radiation (Hill & Finster, 2016).
Evaluation process can be done by collection of data from concerned organization regarding
injury numbers and effectiveness of diagnosis machines. Moreover, survey can also be
conducted, which can help to collect information regarding different experiences of radiation
workers in a clinical setup.
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Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that laboratory workers are exposed to
radiation for longer period of time that can impact on their health. This occupational health
hazard can cause different implications, which needs to be mitigated. Different policies and
techniques have been applied to mitigate this problem that includes monitoring and applying
improved technologies. An improved management strategy has been suggested in this study
that can help in controlling exposure to radiation among lab workers. However, regular
evaluation and proper monitoring are required that can help to measure effectiveness of this
strategy.
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