Occupational Health Nursing in Canada

Occupational health nursing is a branch of nursing specializing in promoting health and safety of individual employees and groups of workers in employment settings. As the occupational health nurse, or OHN, you’ll identify occupational hazards, prevent illness and injury, and promote health by advocating for a safe and healthy work environment.

Okay, so, occupational health nurses operate in various workplace environments. These include manufacturing companies, corporations, construction sites, utilities, and healthcare facilities.

As an occupational health nurse, your goals include identifying occupational hazards, preventing illness and injury, and promoting health by advocating for a safe and healthy work environment.

Now, in order to identify potential hazards, you’ll assess the health and safety of individual workers and the workplace as a whole.

On an individual level, start by gathering information about previous employment, past exposure to workplace hazards, and medical symptoms or ailments related to previous workplace illness or injuries.

Next, ask about present work conditions including specific responsibilities or tasks and current exposure to work-related hazards. These can include biological hazards, like a healthcare worker who is exposed to bloodborne pathogens that could lead to infections like hepatitis B and C; chemical hazards, like when a construction worker is exposed to toxic welding fumes; or physical hazards like heavy equipment operators who are exposed to vibrations, which over time can result in chronic musculoskeletal pain or even peripheral vascular and sensorineural problems.

There are also enviro-mechanical hazards, where repetitive motions can cause musculoskeletal injuries, like an office worker at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive hand and wrist movements that occur from typing and using a mouse.

Finally, regardless of the profession, exposure to psychosocial agents like workplace stress can lead to cardiovascular disease, like hypertension, and mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression.

In terms of identifying potential hazards in the workplace, you’ll conduct a worksite walkthrough to gather information about the work environment.

During the walkthrough, you’ll note the physical layout and general condition of the workplace, paying attention to potential hazards, such as clutter or standing water that can result in accidental falls and injuries.

You’ll also identify if appropriate safety information and signs are posted and visible and whether adequate personal protective equipment is accessible and being used by all workers.