Prioritization of Physical Risk Factors by Healthcare Workers in Medical Imaging Units According to Risk Status

Abstract

Purpose - Occupational health and safety (OHS) includes the rules that must be applied to prevent occupational diseases and accidents among employees. In the Occupational Health and Safety Hazard Class List Communiqué, jobs that involve working with radar, x-rays and other harmful radiation emitting beams are included in the "Very hazardous jobs" category. Healthcare workers are exposed to some hazards and risks related to their profession in this environment. One of these hazards and risks is physical hazards and risks. The research aims to prioritize physical hazards and risks by interviewing healthcare workers in medical imaging units working in this environment. Design/methodology/approach - 23 healthcare professionals working in the medical imaging units of Gümüşhane and Trabzon Fatih State Hospitals were included in the study. As a result of these interviews, the evaluations of the findings were analyzed using the Entropy-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. In the study, physical risk factors were prioritized from the most risky to the least risky by the workers. Findings - In the study, physical hazards and risks from occupational health and safety occupational risks were addressed. Physical hazards and risks include radiation, pressure, noise, dust, thermal comfort, lighting and vibration. According to the evaluations of the employees; the highest risk among physical risks was radiation, while the lowest risk was vibration. Discussion – Medical imaging units of hospitals provide service to patients referred from all units. Management needs to take steps to prevent the dangers and risks faced by employees in this intensively working unit. It is thought that the decision-making process will be accelerated in the steps to be taken with the prioritization that emerged as a result of the research.