Occupational hazards of the health care industry: protecting health care workers.

1. The health care industry contributes 15% of the nation's gross domestic product, and is the nation's largest employer, with hospital workers making up the majority of the health care industry work force. However, it is one of the industries that provides the least attention to its employees. 2. Hospitals have had very poor health and safety records. Only recently have they come under scrutiny and begun to develop procedures for control of dangerous substances and workplace hazards. 3. Health care workers are exposed to myriad occupational hazards which can be classified under four broad categories of hazards: biological, chemical, physical, and psychosocial/psychological. 4. Teamwork between the occupational health professional and health care management is key to establishing and maintaining a health care environment with controls to protect health care workers.