Awareness and Practice of Safety Precautions among Healthcare Workers in the Laboratories of Public Health Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to various workplace hazards, including biological, chemical, and physical. HCWs in laboratories are especially vulnerable to infections as they are dealing with patients' samples. These samples may include dangerous pathogens transmitted by blood, needles, sharp objects, and body tissues. However, HCWs are dealing with such hazardous agents without being fully aware of these dangers and the preventive measures needed. The HBV, HCV, and HIV result in a crisis that needs to be addressed appropriately by considering the safety of the laboratories and the workers. It is estimated that about 2 million HCWs are infected globally each year. The study mainly focused on raising awareness concerning the handling of medical waste and the occupational risks during its collection and disposal. The study found that many workers were unaware of the potential risks. This led to insufficient safety practices among the workers.