ABSTRACT
Contents Objectives ................................................................................................................................454 Introduction .............................................................................................................................454 Employment Laws ....................................................................................................................455 Occupational Safety and Health Act .........................................................................................455 Occupational Safety and Health Administration ......................................................................455 Th e National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ......................................................456 Occupation Safety and Health Review Commission .................................................................456 National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health ..........................................456 Standards, Laws, and Regulations Applicable to Occupational Safety and Health .....................457 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard ...............................................................................................457 Hazard Communication Standard ............................................................................................459 Recording and Reporting of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Standard ................................459 Access to Medical and Exposure Records Standard .................................................................. 460 Occupational Noise Exposure Standard ....................................................................................461 PPE Standard ...........................................................................................................................461 Workers’ Compensation .......................................................................................................... 462 Equal Employment Opportunity Laws .................................................................................... 462 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ...................................................................................................... 463
Objectives Identify the major regulatory agency that addresses occupational health and safety issues ◾ Describe at least fi ve major employment laws, standards, and regulations related to occupa-◾ tional health and safety Describe the role of the LNC in the area of occupational health and safety ◾
Introduction Understanding occupational health and safety is an important role for the legal nurse consultant (LNC). LNCs need to have an understanding of the many laws and regulations aff ecting this complex area of healthcare practice. Federal and state laws such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) have been enacted to protect the health and safety of workers. Employers who are not in compliance may receive fi nes and citations depending on the severity of the
Americans with Disabilities Act ............................................................................................... 463 Th e Family and Medical Leave Act .......................................................................................... 464 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ............................................................... 464 Department of Transportation ..................................................................................................465 Working Partners for an Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace .....................................................465 Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection Standard ............................................... 466 Youth Health and Safety .......................................................................................................... 466 Whistleblower Protection Act .................................................................................................. 467 Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing .................................................................. 467 Scope of Practice in Nursing .................................................................................................... 468 Standards of Practice in Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing ............................. 468 Maintaining Professional License and Skills ............................................................................. 469 Certifi cations ........................................................................................................................... 469 Standing Orders .......................................................................................................................470 Documentation and Medical Records ......................................................................................470 Confi dentiality .........................................................................................................................470 Standards of Care .....................................................................................................................471 Th e Role of the LNC in Occupational Health and Safety .........................................................472 Occupational Health Records ...................................................................................................472
