Promoting Occupational Health and Safety among Nurses of a Philippine Tertiary Healthcare Institution

Abstract

Health and safety of workers are the most important factors in the workplace. However, studies show that many nurses do not practice the standards despite being exposed to various hazards. The study aimed to determine the extent of work-related hazards and practice occupational health and safety standards among nurses. The study used a quantitative-qualitative approach using descriptive correlational design. Total enumeration was used. Data gathered through the administration of the researcher made survey questionnaires, then interview and observation were done to supplement the data. Weighted mean, percentage, and frequency were used. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to establish the significant relationship between and among the extent of occupational health and safety standards and work-related hazards among nurses. The study concludes that nurses of the Region II Trauma and Medical Center repeatedly practice/experience the Occupational Health and Safety Standards and work-related hazards. Age and number of years of experience are found to influence other work-related factors and salient findings are instrumental in the crafting of the protocol. The study recommends the nursing administration should conduct occupational health and safety standards training and seminars for nurses to strengthen their awareness of the practice of occupational health and safety. Nurses should always adhere to and comply to practice all safety policies, protocols, and procedures to prevent and eliminate work-related hazards, and regardless of their age, sex, educational attainment, and years of experience should promote health and safety standards. Future studies need to be conducted with a larger and different sample.