Chapter 4 Safety and Infection Control 105 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Another way to remember how to deal with a fi re is the acronym RACE: 1. Rescue: immediately stop what you are doing and remove anyone in immediate danger from the fi re to a safe area. 2. Alarm: activate the nearest fi re alarm pull stations (if applicable). 3. Contain: close all doors and windows that you can safely reach to contain the fi re. During evacuation, close the doors behind you. 4. Extinguish: only attempt to extinguish the fi re if it is safe to do so. When attempting to extinguish the fi re, retrieve the nearest fi re extin- guisher and follow the PASS procedure: 1. Pull: pull the pin to break the tamper seal. 2. Aim: aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (also called the horn or hose) at the base of the fi re. Warning: do not touch the plastic discharge horn on CO 2 extinguishers. It gets very cold and may damage your skin. 3. Squeeze: squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. 4. Sweep: sweep from side to side at the base of the fi re until it appears to be out. Watch the area if the fi re reignites, repeat steps 2 through 4. Keep in mind that fi re extinguishers only last about 30 seconds. Body Mechanics Healthcare workers move, lift, and carry all types of supplies and equipment. They also help move or position patients. Healthcare workers can injure them- selves if they move patients improperly. Patients may struggle or twist during movement, making them more diffi cult to handle. Healthcare workers should educate themselves on body mechanics to ensure they do not hurt themselves. Without the use of proper body mechanics, healthcare workers risk injury, particularly to their backs. Back injuries can result in long periods of lost wages and even permanent disability. You can greatly reduce the possi- bility of a workplace injury by following simple ergonomic practices, which are designed to minimize physical effort and discomfort and maximize effi ciency. Following are some basic ergonomic practices. Sitting. Many healthcare workers spend several hours a day working on a computer. It is important for these workers to have ergonomic chairs and to maintain proper body mechanics. When sitting in a chair, make sure your buttocks are at the back of the chair. Your back should be straight, which means your shoulders should not be hunched (Figure 4.9 on the next page). Bend your knees at right angles and place them at the same height as, or higher than, your hips. Your feet should be fl at on the fl oor. The height and back of the chair should be adjustable. The use of a footrest might help you avoid posture problems. Larger fonts help reduce eyestrain, and performing deep breathing exercises helps to reduce stress. Following these guidelines will help you avoid repetitive strain injuries (RSI). When sitting for extended periods of time, you should relax periodically by standing and moving your body. If there is a glare on your computer screen, change the lighting or your position to eliminate it. A vertical docu- ment holder, either attached to a fl exible equipment arm or freestanding, eases eyestrain and improves posture. body mechanics the proper use of body movements to prevent injury during the performance of physical tasks, such as lifting and sitting ergonomics the practice or science of maximizing effi ciency and preventing discomfort or injury during the time a person is performing work tasks