Healthcare costs on the rise
- There are several trends to watch in 2023 with about 39% of employers anticipating increases in healthcare costs.
- In addition, about 94% of employers have a financial component as part of their overall strategy for mental health.
- Employers and others are eager to move toward value-based payment models because of the rising costs and overall performance of the healthcare industry.
- Virtual health is expected to be viewed as complementary to in-person care because of the post-pandemic world.
Needles pose huge hazard for healthcare workers
- OSHA estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries and other percutaneous injuries occur annually among healthcare workers.
- Punctures and cuts can introduce bloodborne pathogens into the body, such as hepatitis B virus (HPV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus.
- Most sharps-related injuries can be prevented and occur during or immediately after use.
- Therefore, it is important to understand safe sharps waste disposal and that your organization effectively manages this type of waste.
Trench collapses are an ongoing challenge
- Trench-related deaths were on the rise in the first six months of 2022 with 22 workers dying from trenching and excavation-related incidents in this time frame.
- Only 15 workers died the prior year.
- From 2003 to 2017, 373 workers lost their lives to trench-related incidents, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
- Working in a trench presents many hazards for workers, including trench collapses.
OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program looks for repeat offenders
- Continued violations by companies could result in placement in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
- The SVEP is a program for employers and companies that exhibit what OSHA calls an “indifference to their OSH Act obligations.”
- Employers can be placed in the SVEP based on three criteria: fatality/catastrophe, non-fatality/catastrophe and egregious.
- If the employer was cited for a serious violation after a worker died or at least three were hospitalized and did not fix the violation, resulting in a “failure-to-abate notice,” they could be placed in the SVEP.