Question

OSHA requires employers to use different types of strategies to minimize exposure in the work place to blood borne pathogens. 2 strategies are- PPE and Universal Precautions (Standard Precautions). Can you identify some problems if health care workers don't follow these controls? The other 2 are engineering controls and work practice controls. In your own words, define what each means and then detail the difference between the two.

Answer 1

The nurses are important category of people who are on more risk for developing disease at work place such as blood borne diseases such as HBsAg, HCV and HIV etc. It maybe due to accidental needle prick injury or lack of using PPE.

Diseases that may occur due to lack of those controls

• HBsAg
• HCV
• HIV
• Nipah

Engineering control is the approach to save the employees from hazardous conditions.It mainly includes the approach to ensure better construction building which are comfortable for workers as well as others. Eg: Good ventilation, avoidance of heat generations, good wiring for electric supply and strategies to avoid fire and burns of circuit and other measures.

Work practice control is an approach that maybe followed by the workers to avoid injuries. It's specified standard guideline to follow by the workers in workplace. Eg: -Follow 6 step handwash, use of PPE, avoid recapping of needles.  

Difference between the two

Engineering controls are the external strategy to be adopted by the employer to ensure the safety of workers. But in work practice control, it's the responsibility of each and every nurses to save health of themselves.

Engineering control practices are complex and require higher initial cost. But work practice control methods are cheap and simple.

Engineering control approach aims to prevent all types of accidents such as fire, short circuit etc. But work practice control aims to prevent health hazards of the workers.

Engineering controls are mainly involve development of healthy physical infrastructure to give a comfortable work environment for the workers.Work place control mainly involves use of personal protective equipments and follow good aseptic practice to prevent chain of infections among nurses and between nurses and patients.