The degree of
danger that pharmacy workers are subject to depends on the kind of
pharmacy they work in and its location. Pharmacists can be employed
in community-, retail-, and hospital-based pharmacies, among others.
Each of these workplace settings bring different hazards that need to
be addressed to prevent harm.
1. Biological Hazards
Contact
with patients and the public exposes pharmacy staff to biological
hazards, as will contaminants found in food, water, and the
ventilation system. The immunization of workers provides a first line
of defense when interacting with patients.
Other measures
should also be put into place, including the restriction of access to
authorized personnel only, implementation of safe work procedures,
and use of personal protective equipment, such as eye protection,
gloves, and respiratory protection.
Care should not only be
exercised on the medication contained within a pharmacy; the building
itself should also be given attention, particularly the ventilation
system. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of contamination.
The improved SOPs and the accent on
occupants’ safety has been the stepping stone for the new UPS 800
guideline.
2. Chemical Hazards
Compounding
pharmacies make drugs for patients whose medication needs can’t be
met by commercially available drugs. Interacting with different kinds
of chemicals puts pharmacists at risk, but there are measures that
can be put in place to ensure their safety.
Education is
crucial, and so are limiting the exposure time and ensuring safe
disposal of substances. Pharmacies should have safe work procedures
in place in case of spills and any other mishaps that involve harmful
substances. In addition, pharmacists working with the chemicals
should wear the proper protective clothing and gear, including eye
protection, face shields, gowns, and gloves.
Along with proper gowning and the
improved minimal requirements of the personal protective equipment
will surely make the employee safety significantly better.
3.
Ergonomic Hazards
A pharmacy workplace setting should enable
workers to move freely and with ease. Additionally, equipment needed
for the job, such as computers, should be adjusted accordingly.
Providing seating options and designing shelves to make access to
medications easier also can improve the health and safety of
pharmacists.
Pharmacists rely on computers to do their job,
therefore adjustments should be made to make them user friendly. For
instance, screen brightness should be adjusted so it doesn’t hurt
the eyes. Plus, where and how it is accessed should also be
considered.
Materials that are non-slippery should be used on
the floors to avoid slips, trips, and falls. Adequate lighting—but
not glaring—should be provided for improved depth perception.
Improving the operational ergonomics is
definitely beneficial to all pharmacy personnel as it assures less
spills, slips and breaks that will result in direct exposure to
hazardous materials.
Pharmacists can also be subject to abuse
by clients or fellow co-workers. Workers should be educated about
violence awareness and avoidance, and know procedures for
de-escalation. Management should also address troubles promptly.
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