Workplace Conditions
- Complete a Clinic Safety Inspection Checklist
To develop your health and safety program:
Workplace Inspections
Workplace inspections are an important part of a proactive injury prevention process. Inspections are an opportunity to identify hazards and assess risks on an ongoing basis. All employers must inspect the workplace often. This keeps the clinic safe and healthy. It also prevents unsafe conditions from developing.
Recognize Workplace Hazards
It's essential to identify hazards, assess risks, and correct unsafe conditions during inspections. A hazard is any situation, condition, or thing that may cause harm to your staff. In a medical office, hazards may include, but are not limited to:
Biological Hazards: bloodborne pathogens (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B and C), airborne pathogens (e.g., tuberculosis, COVID-19, influenza), contaminated sharps (e.g., needles, scalpels), contaminated surfaces and equipment.
Chemical Hazards: disinfectants and cleaning agents (e.g., bleach, alcohol-based cleaners), liquid nitrogen, compressed gas (e.g., oxygen cylinder, fire extinguisher), medications (e.g., cytotoxic drugs, anesthetic gases), laboratory reagents (e.g., formalin), and solvents.
Physical Hazards: radiation (e.g., X-rays, laser procedures), noise, temperature, lighting, air quality, electrical hazards, ergonomic hazards (e.g., prolonged standing, patient handling, improper workstation setups).
Psychosocial Hazards: workplace violence, bullying and harassment, stress due to working conditions (e.g., workload).
For more examples of common hazards in a medical clinic, refer to the Identifying and Assessing Risks topic.
Review Inspection Requirements
- Inspections must be conducted frequently to prevent the development of unsafe conditions. At least one inspection per year is required.
- Regular inspections must cover all aspects of the work, including the way it is performed (e.g., work procedures), and the equipment that is used, and all areas of the clinic (e.g., including washrooms and parking lots).
- Some equipment may also have additional maintenance and inspection requirements that are specified by the manufacturer, which the employer must follow.
- If equipment malfunctions or a staff member is injured, the employer must complete a special inspection of everything involved in the incident.
- Regular or special inspections must include the participation of the worker representative or Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) members, if applicable.
- Any unsafe or harmful conditions found during an inspection must be corrected without delay.
