EXTENDED SUMMARY

Health services contain different risks from other sectors in terms of the working environment, conditions and hours, as well as the nature of the work performed. The risks that health workers are exposed to also differ greatly according to the unit being studied. Of these units, laboratories are work areas that are heavily exposed to many combined risks. Hospital laboratories are in the very dangerous class in the workplace hazard classes list. Occupational health and safety measures should be carried out meticulously in hospital laboratories. Otherwise, various risks will arise in terms of laboratory workers, other workers and public health. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the occupational risk factors of the workers of the medical central laboratory of Artvin State Hospital and the occupational health and safety measures applied in the laboratory. In the study, interview technique, one of the data collection methods used in qualitative research, was used. Semi-structured interview was preferred among the interview techniques. The universe of the study consists of twenty-six people working in the hospital laboratory, and the sample consists of twelve people who want to participate in the research The research was carried out in biochemistry, microbiology and pathology laboratories, which are gathered together under the name of medical central laboratory.

The research findings are classified as “Findings Related to Hazards and Risks in the Medical Center Laboratory” and “Findings Related to Occupational Health and Safety in the Medical Center Laboratory”.

When the findings related to the hazards and risks in the medical center laboratory are examined, it has been seen that the workers are exposed to all of the biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors. Chemical risks are high in microbiology and pathology laboratories. Injuries related to sectioning are more common in the pathology laboratory. Every three laboratories are exposed to biological risks depending on working with blood and body fluids and culture and tissue samples.

Among the physical risk factors, noise, improper ventilation and thermal comfort are among the most important problems. The nonconformities related to the laboratory design are also noteworthy. The location of the laboratory, which is located on the second floor of the hospital and needs to be isolated, is not suitable. There is only one toilet that men and women use in common. This creates a privacy and hygiene issue. Since there is no changing room, employees wear their uniforms in the toilet or recreation room. The laboratory and work benches are narrow, irregular and crowded. All of these shortcomings put stress on employees and increase the likelihood of occupational accidents.

Employees have stated that they are also exposed to ergonomic risk factors. Work intensity, repetitive movements, manual transport, excessive workload and improper ergonomics of working vehicles are frequently repeated ergonomic risks.

It is understood that employees are often exposed to psychosocial risk factors. It has been understood that situations such as discrimination, time pressure, excessive workload, lack of appreciation-motivation and value vision, inability to get paid for work, encountering impossible requests, obligation to make important decisions and heavy conscientious responsibility have an impact on their physical and psychological health.

When we look at the findings related to occupational health and safety in the medical center laboratory, the use of personal protective equipment is one of the most important shortcomings. The use of masks, glasses and surgical gown is rare. Employees stated that they could not use them because ventilation and thermal comfort were not suitable.

Employees stated that employee occupational health and safety trainings are not regular and of sufficient quality. Some of the employees stated that they received job initiation training, while others did not receive such training. There are also employees who do not regularly participate in general occupational health and safety trainings.

Insufficient knowledge about disaster and emergency management is another identified deficiency. Most of the employees do not know about the disaster and emergency teams and their plan.

In order to reduce or eliminate all the mentioned risks, it is essential to identify the hazards and risks in the medical center laboratory. In this context, appropriate risk assessments and control measures need to be decided. Priority should be given to collective protection measures rather than personal protection measures.

Many of the detected deficiencies are mainly due to the physical conditions of the hospital and laboratory. The narrow, mountainous and rugged nature of Artvin province is effective. One of the most important problems is that biochemistry, microbiology and pathology laboratories are located in the same main working area. The expansion of the working area with the provision of suitable places for personal needs will greatly improve health and safety conditions. In this context, first of all, it is recommended to improve the laboratory design and expand the space.