scope:

Applicability.

This pamphlet applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and the U.S. Army Reserve, unless otherwise stated. This pamphlet applies to Army civilian employees, and others involved in or affected by Army operations worldwide. During mobilization, procedures in this publication can be modified to support policy changes as necessary.

Purpose

Hospitals are historically unsafe places to work. Experience indicates that the injury rate at medical care facilities is higher than the rate at many industries. Most of the injuries result from slips, trips, and falls or from using incorrect lifting techniques, especially when lifting patients. Therefore, hospital staff must exercise great care in protecting themselves and ensuring a safe environment for the patients as well as those who enter the hospital. The staff must be alert and identify any hazards in order to provide an environment free from unsafe acts or unsafe conditions. To accomplish this goal, all levels of the hospital staff, functional managers, supervisors, and employees must be vigilant in the performance of their jobs to eliminate practices or conditions that could result in injury to patients, visitors, or employee's damage/loss to property.