Authors: (including presenting author): :
Chong CT(1), Cheung CY(1), Chow, YM(1), Wong WMB(2), Lee SN(2), Chan AY(2)
Affiliation: :
(1)Occupational Safety and Health Team, Cluster Human Resources Division, New Territories West Cluster, (2)Accident and Emergency Department, Pok Oi Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Safety Culture Build-up
Keyword 2: :
Proactive Staff Engagement
Introduction: :
The Accident and Emergency Department (AED) consistently reports a higher incidence of Injury on Duty (IOD) compared to other hospital units, primarily due to the volatile and unpredictable nature of emergency care. This elevated risk is driven by the necessity of rapid, high-stakes physical interventions and frequent exposure to agitated or distressed patients, creating a uniquely hazardous workplace. The implementation of OSH Programs with staff engagement is therefore crucial in sustaining a safe working environment, safeguarding staff’s health and fostering a safety culture in the dynamic AED environment.
Objectives: :
(1)To develop an effective OSH Management System with regular monitoring and two-way communication between management and frontline staff; (2)To perform hazard identification by reviewing high-risk job tasks and analyzing IOD statistics;(3)To establish tailor-made programs as effective improvement measures and enhancing OSH risks control to specific tasks; and (4)To cultivate a safety culture through staff engagement from different levels.
Methodology: :
Holistic OSH programs were developed, implemented and sustained, including (1) establishment of OSH Management System; (2) follow-through on all IODs with regular review; (3) No blame Work-safe Behavior (WSB) program with frontline staff as observers; and (4) tailor-made training according to various OSH hazards instructed by experts, e.g. physiotherapists on manual handling operations, targeting all levels of staff. The outcome will be analyzed using (1) the IOD rate and (2) the IOD SL rate (i.e. number of confirmed IOD cases/IOD SL days per 100 full-time equivalent staff) of the department before and after the programs.
Result & Outcome: :
Before the implementation of various OSH Programs, the IOD and IOD SL rates during 2019 were 25.6 and 270 (no. of IOD case = 41; no. of IOD SL Days = 432). After its implementation and as of 2025, the IOD rate was 8.33 (13 cases) and the IOD SL rate was 65.7 (102.5 days), reflecting reductions of 67.4% and 76.3%, respectively, over the said period. The implementation of OSH programs in POH AED demonstrated an all-rounded, effective measure in reducing occupational injuries and their severity systematically. A safety culture was also cultivated and sustained among staff.
