Occupational Health & Safety in Child Care
Child care workers are confronted by numerous biological, physical and chemical hazards, according to a meta-study published in the "Oxford Journal of Occupational Medicine." Despite these risks, in the United States, health and safety standards for child care settings vary significantly from state to state.
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Hazards
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According to a 2007 article published in the "American Association for Occupational Health Nurses Journal," child care workers face a number of health and safety hazards, with the most common ones being: infectious diseases, musculoskeletal injuries, accidents and occupational stress. A pregnant child care worker has an additional risk of potential harm to the fetus.
Regulations
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States regulate their own health and safety policies for child care. State governments are responsible for setting and enforcing regulations such sanitation standards and licensing requirements. Child care health and safety regulations by U.S. state can be accessed at the website of the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education (NRC).
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Resources
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NRC also provides informational resources for health and safety training and guidance in the child care profession, including "Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards," a joint collaborative project of NRC, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association.
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References
Resources
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