According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 3.7 million cases of occupational injury and sickness in 2008. This number is down from 2007, in part because government agencies and businesses are implementing or continuing development and enforcement of health and safety codes.
- Health codes are regulations that generally refer to biohazards and pathogens. They are supposed to prevent illness; for example, medical personnel must wear gloves during certain exams and procedures to prevent the spread of disease.
- Safety codes are designed to eliminate physical injuries---to stop people from hurting themselves or others, or to prevent injuries from circumstances that do exist or could exist in the environment. An example of a safety code is the requirement that public buildings must have fire alarms.
- Health and safety codes may be implemented in residential or public buildings, from hospitals to shopping malls to restaurants, and can apply to medical preparations, procedures and testing; cleaning and waste disposal; laboratory equipment use; building and construction; and food handling and preparation. Inspections, fees and penalties may occur as part of the supervision and enforcement of these codes.
- Health codes impact everyone on some level. The people who need to be most aware of the codes, however, are those who could face legal action if the codes are violated; those who design buildings or structures; and code enforcement officers. Business owners and managers, medical personnel, maintenance crewmembers and inspectors must have thorough knowledge of health and safety codes.
- Codes for health and safety vary by locality, state and organization. Within one building, the codes of several agencies and/or municipalities could apply and must be heeded---such as federal rules for wheelchair-access and state rules for fire safety. Agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Environmental Protection Agency; American Public Health Association; National Fire Protection Association; and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers have specific codes. The websites for each U.S. state have links to organizations responsible for setting and enforcing codes. Businesses can go above and beyond these codes via their own policies and procedures; in such cases, people should refer to the companies' manuals or handbooks for specifics.
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