Health and Safety for Nurses in the Workplace

Clinical Safety

Students MUST adhere to all OSHA requirements throughout their clinical experiences.

The student must use appropriate contact precautions with each patient encounter, even if the site or preceptor does not follow OSHA guidelines. This includes:

• Closed-toe shoes in all clinical settings
• Use of gloves for all contact with bodily fluids
• Use of eye protection in the labor and birth setting
• Use of protective garments as needed in the labor and birth setting, this should include gloves, a protective gown, and a face mask
• Careful needle awareness. Always use a needle holder while suturing. Be aware of the location and trajectory of all needles.
These standards are for the protection of BOTH the client & the student.