Nursing Supervisor Involvement

Nursing supervisors must possess the knowledge and experience to provide hazard control guidance to those they lead. First-line supervisors occupy a key hazard control position in many organizations. This position of trust can require supervisors to conduct area inspections, provide job training. 

Enforce work rules and correct unsafe or at risk behaviors 

Implement mandated safety policies and procedures for their areas of responsibility 

Immediately report and investigate all accidents in their work areas 

Conduct periodic area hazard control and safety inspections 

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Interviews with an injured person in regard to rehabilitation can involve a group and may include the supervisor, occupational health nurse, health and safety officer and rehabilitation specialist. A friendly, informal, positively charged atmosphere is important, as light duties may involve perceived loss of status and concerns about ability to work with impaired function, or the possibility of pain, and a dilferent working area and work group. Care must be taken to preserve medical confidentiahty and to obtain the rehabihtee s consent to release of information. 

Advise leaders, supervisors, and the safety committee about hazards and safety issues Use good communication and human relations skills to help achieve safety objectives Seek ways to help in the development, implementation, and maintenance of safety plans Promote safety awareness throughout the nursing unit and the organization Get involved with organizational hazard surveys and environmental tour efforts Provide input and suggestions that address the development and evaluation of safety training... 

A typical team consists of 3-5 members representing the workers and supervisors from the workplace and SHE experts (e.g. a safety engineer or an occupational-health nurse). In cases where an accident involves more than one department, each department has to be represented in the team. 

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