Online ASP .Net (Dot Net Framework 3.5) Solution...For all: OSHA AND THE RIGHTS OF HEALTH WORKERS DURING PANDEMIC

OSHA AND THE RIGHTS OF HEALTH WORKERS DURING PANDEMIC

The global pandemic has exposed the fallacies of different industries across the world. Health sector industries have struggled to keep pace with rising cases of COVID-19 in the US. Along with this comes the discrimination and exploitation against the health workers. The forefront COVID-19 warriors get exposed to hazardous working conditions due to improper medical protection and prejudiced facilities.

Their voices often remain unheard of because of a lack of awareness. OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Act protects workers against their exploitative employers. In this global pandemic, nurses often work in an unsafe hospital environment. Retaliation against the employer often results in humiliation, unprecedented disciplinary measures, and even termination. The regulatory organization intervenes in such scenarios to take legal steps against the perpetrators. This article will summarize the role of OSHA in times of pandemic.

1. Defining goals: OSHA creates and redefines safety and health standards within the workplace environment. These protocols get laid down after discussions with several decision-making bodies and government agencies. Like in Minnesota, the statutes and rules are defined in “Chapter 182 Occupational Safety and Health”. If the health workers are subjected to violations of standards like “Employee Right-to-know of Hazardous Substances”, or “Safe-patient Handling” or “Permissible Exposure Limits”, they can register a complaint against their hospital.

• OSHA develops mandatory safety standards for health workers.

• They conduct thorough workspace inspection and levy penalties for possible violations.

• They help in monitoring occupational illnesses.

2. Informing about hazards: To keep returning to work during COVID-19 is often hazardous for nurses. Section 5 of the OSHA Act lays down foundational protocols for hospitals. The Act states that every hazardous segment must be well-defined, recognized within industry standards, and clearly stated. The employer must know about the presence of such elements and must make his employees known. Health workers can lodge complaints when their employers violate these below-mentioned clauses.

• Employers must devise appropriate conditions to protect the rights of nurses in the workplace.

• Employers must strictly ensure that employees are shielded by proper protective gear during the pandemic and otherwise.

• Employers must follow strict protocols applicable to their hospital establishment industry.

3. Propagating education: OSHA promotes education through different online interactive platforms. They cover areas that include protocols about safety standards, workplace violations within healthcare industries, and others. OSHA educates health workers to protect their rights so that returning to work during COVID-19 is never a discriminatory issue. They are also responsible for educating the administrators about set standards of ethics. Employers are taught not to take retaliatory measures against employees with grievances.

• OSHA encourages interactive education of both employers and employees while trying to create a sustainable working environment.

• It keeps records of workplace-related fatalities at the Bureau of Labor statistics.

• Supports innovation in dealing with healthcare hazards at the workplace.

Online ASP .Net (Dot Net Framework 3.5) Solution...For all

Sunday, June 27, 2021

OSHA AND THE RIGHTS OF HEALTH WORKERS DURING PANDEMIC

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