Integrating requirements from OSHA and The Joint Commission

With what seems to be a never-ending story of regulatory requirements, can there be a way to simplify and integrate the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and The Joint Commission? As luck would have it, OSHA created a document that shows how a safety and health program integrates into Joint Commission compliance already in progress.

With some added language and processes, a safety and health program can be an addendum or even a line item within an organization’s safety practices instead of the dread of starting something from scratch. The documents referenced in the main article can be used as a comparison and cross reference to ensure an injury prevention program is being met.

As noted in the main article, a facility leader needs more specific programs in place that may not pertain to the rest of the hospital staff as the staff that works within the facility department face more general industry hazards. These hazards can be life threatening, and compliance with these top OSHA citings is not only regulatory but essential to a safe working environment for the facility worker.

Most OSHA programs, such as fall protection, ladder safety, hazard communication and lockout/tagout, require a policy, annual training, hands-on training and annual review of the policy and procedures to ensure changes have not been made or workarounds are not in place. These can be incorporated into the annual review of Joint Commission compliance or completed as a work order within a computerized maintenance management system to ensure documentation and implementation. These steps can ensure that standards are met and injuries are prevented.

There are two web pages to assist so facility professionals will not have to recreate the wheel:

• The OSHA website dedicated to helping hospitals gives program tips, how-to guides, education and training information, and management support. These are easily referenced and give a plethora of information to begin or enhance a safety program within the facility to ensure compliance.
• The second is a comparison that helps show how integration with Joint Commission standards can be achieved and will help with overall safety compliance.