Washington State Agencies Issue Hazard Alert for Local Hospitals
The Departments of Labor & Industries and the Department of Health issued the alert to address coronavirus cases in Washington hospitals.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Sep 22, 2020
The Washington State Departments of Labor & Industries (L&I) and Health (DOH) updated their recommended hospital procedures via a state hazard alert on September 17, 2020.
The Hazard Alert, which was created to prevent the spread of coronavirus to hospital staff and patients, highlights things such as key worker safety and health requirements, proper use of PPE and the importance of a comprehensive infection control program.
“Health care workers are on the front lines of the pandemic caring for others. This Hazard Alert spells out what hospitals must do to take care of all of their workers to prevent them from getting infected on the job,” said Anne Soia, L&I assistant director for the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
Hospitals in Washington are now required to replace disposable respirators and procedural masks daily at the beginning of each shift, ensure sick employees do not report to work if they have symptoms of coronavirus and maintain hospital-wide policies and procedures consistent with state and national guidelines as they change along with the pandemic.
L&I is collaborating with the DOH and Washington hospitals to confirm that hospitals enact these changes to protect both staff and patients. More details on the Hazard Alert can be found at the Division of Occupational Safety and Health coronavirus webpage.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.