International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 5 Issue 12, December 2016 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Awareness of Occupational Health Hazards among Staff Nurses Mahadeo Shinde 1 , Sharvari Sadare 2 , Nutan Potdar 3 1 Professor, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad 2 Nursing Faculty, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad 3 Nursing Faculty, Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences Karad, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad Abstract: This descriptive survey was carried out to investigate the level of awareness about occupational health hazards among nurses at tertiary care hospital karad. The study population consisted of nurses, The simple random sampling technique was employed in Selecting 105 respondents. A validated structured questionnaire with reliability was used to collect information. Data collected were analyzed using the SPSS package. The results revealed that 19.0% of the respondents were males, 81.0% were females of which 56.2%were single, 42.9% were married and 1%were widow. Among the respondents 79% were between 20-30 years of age,6.7% between 31-40 years and 9.5% between 41-50 years while the remaining 4.8% were aged 51 years and above. 69.5% respondents had 0-3 years working experience, 7.6% respondents had 3-5 years, 4.8% respondents had 5-10 years while 18.1% respondents spend 10years and above in the nursing profession. The results showed that in biological hazards the majority samples 83.8% strongly agreed that nurses should be fully immunized against hepatitis B, which indicates that they are aware about immunization and 22.9% samples disagree that is they are unaware about dermatitis because of using latex gloves. In non-biological hazards the majority of samples that is 67.6% strongly agreed that nurses have stress due to lack of rest which indicates that they are aware about the stress due to lack of rest and 31.4% of samples disagree that they were unaware about personal monitoring bandages and pocket dosimeters. Conclusion : Staff nurses continue to face several hazards in their work places. The factors associated with experiencing hazards include not using all necessary protective equipments, working over time, experiencing work related pressures and working in multiple facilities. Interventions should be instituted to mitigate the hazards. Occupational health hazards, many of which are avoidable and preventable while others are inevitable, being parts of the everyday duties. This study showed that there was high degree of awareness regarding occupational health hazards among the staff nurses at tertiary care hospital Keywords: Occupational health, Hazards, Awareness, Staff nurses 1. Introduction Healthcare facilities like other high risk work places are characterized by a high level of exposure to hazardous agents, which significantly endangers the health and life of workers (HCWs).According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Occupational Health is defined as a multidisciplinary activity aimed at: The protection and promotion of the health of workers, by preventing and controlling occupational hazards and accidents and by eliminating the occupational factors and conditions hazardous to health and safety at work. The development and promotion of healthy and safe work, work environments, and work organizations. Enhancement of the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the workers and support for the development and maintenance of their working capacity, as well as professional and social development at work. Enabling workers to conduct socially and economically productive lives and to contribute positively to their sustainable development. [1] Hazards are an inherent property of a substance, agent, source of energy or situation that has the potential of causing undesirable consequences while risk is the probability that damage to ‘life, health, and or the environment’ may occur from a hazard. In t his regard, occupational hazards refer to workplace activities that have the potential to cause/increase the risk of injury or ill health [5]. Personnel in this workforce are responsible for providing quality health care services, even though their work places (hospitals, clinics and laboratories) are increasingly unsafe [2]. It was reported that healthcare workers (HCWs) encounter different hazards due to their activities [3]. This includes but not limited to sharp related injuries, direct infections, stress, assault from patients and their relatives, allergies, back pain, and other musculoskeletal injuries [4]. Nurses in selected tertiary care hospital are highly satisfied in their job with respect to almost all job reinforcing factor namely Ability utilization, Achievement, Activity, Advancement, Authority, Hospital policy, Co-workers, Creativity, Security, Social service, Social status, Moral value, Recognition, Responsibility, Supervision, Variety, Working condition.[6] Nurses knowledge and practice may be enhanced through progressive broadening of the scope of the patient care role, fostering the nurse quality controller and educator role, and addressing barriers to role enhancement, such as organizational inexperience with inter- professional work and lack of a career structure.[7] Nurses have to face frequent occurrence of stress which could have negative impact on organizational climate in the future. Out of all considered causes of stress, workload and supervisors are two major factors responsible for frequent occurrence of stress among majority of nurses. [8] In spite of the numerous hazards in their unsafe workplaces, healthcare occupational settings continue to be neglected by governments, management and regulators [10]. Occupational health hazards put HCWs at risk of increased morbidity and mortality. Loss of skilled health personnel will adversely Paper ID: ART20163490 505