Scope of the present module is the training of the employees in healthcare services on the identification of the main hazards related to their operations and the provision of “Safety Precautions” for the establishment of a safe and healthy work environment.

The module presents the different hazards in the main activities that take place in the healthcare services. At the same time, an effort is made to keep the main categorization of hazards, as follows:

• Blood, Blood borne Pathogens and Other Potentially Infectious Material (OPIM) such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  
• Tuberculosis
  
• Chemical Hazards such as disinfectants, sterilants, medicines, laboratory reagents, housekeeping/maintenance chemicals, food ingredients and products, pesticides, etc
  
• Work related musculoskeletal disorders (i.e. strain and sprain injuries to back and shoulders areas). These disorders can result from constant lifting and reaching for patients during treatment procedures and transfers
  
• Ergonomics (problems from patient’s handling
  
• Latex Allergy
  
• Needle sticks
  
• Slips/Trips/Falls
  
• Work Related Stress due to the working conditions (specially in the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit)
  

This module is arranged in such a way that it might be used by a tutor in class and for self-studies by any person interested in the topic. Knowledge obtained during lectures will make the participants aware of the types of hazards that an employee in a typical workplace in healthcare services may encounter, enable to perform risk assessment in a specific job and help understand the principles of risk management.