Environmental health hazards
Unsafe and insufficient water for drinking and washing, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, hazardous healthcare waste and climate related risks may cause work-related diseases and injuries among health workers.
Environmental health hazards
Preventive measures
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Ensure availability of safe and adequate supply of water for medical activities, drinking, personal hygiene, food preparation, laundry, and cleaning
Provide toilets for patients, staff and carers
Ensure safe disposal of health-care waste using environmentally friendly technologies
Keep laundry and surfaces in the health-care environment clean
Store and prepare food in a way that minimizes the risk of disease transmission
Design, construct, and manage buildings to provide a healthy and comfortable environment for patients, staff and carers
Protect patients, staff and carers from vector borne diseases
Encourage correct use of water, sanitation and waste facilities
Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent airborne infections
Climate-related disasters and emergencies
Determine safe staffing levels, with rostering and credential systems for ensuring operational sufficiency
Develop post-disaster employee recovery assistance programmes and ensure psychosocial support
Establish an early warning system and risk reduction plan to respond to climate-related emergencies
Ensure adequate prevention and management of heat strain and heat-related illnesses
Develop contingency plan for safe and secure evacuation following an extreme event
Put in place security measures for safe and secure evacuation of staff and patients
Train staff in protecting their health and safety during an emergency
