Occupational hazards to health care workers: report of a conference.

Health care workers are exposed to an array of physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial hazards. At a national conference in Seattle May 11-13, 1983, hospital occupational medicine programs were characterized as lagging far behind those in industries with comparable illness and injury rates. Participants and speakers recommended that health care workers be trained to recognize occupational hazards; that epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical studies be undertaken to discern trends and establish the mechanisms of effects from hazardous exposures; and that adequate employee health and safety programs be established in health care settings.