Exposure to social risks and unpredictable events
The healthcare industry can be summarized by frequent patient visits, driving to and from appointments, and working in adverse conditions around hazardous equipment and substances. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare and social service industries experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are 5 times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than other workers. Workers in this industry are also prone to slips, trips, and falls, a prominent cause for injury across any work environment.
These risks, combined with the lengthy working hours and stressful workloads that healthcare professionals face, has led to increased fatigue and absenteeism, furthering the cost and impact of an unsafe work environment.