What can be a benefit of engineering controls in healthcare settings?

Engineering controls are strategies that isolate or remove hazards from the workplace, thereby significantly reducing the risk of workplace hazards. In healthcare settings, these controls can include systems such as ventilation to reduce airborne contaminants, physical barriers to prevent exposure, or modifications in equipment to minimize risks associated with tasks. By effectively removing or mitigating hazards, engineering controls directly contribute to a safer work environment for healthcare professionals as well as patients. This reduction in hazards leads to fewer incidents of injury or illness, promoting overall safety within the healthcare facility.

While improved staff morale, reduced operating costs, and higher patient satisfaction scores can also result from an effective safety program, they are more indirect benefits. These outcomes often stem from a safer environment created by engineering controls, but their primary purpose is to reduce exposure to hazards, making the direct benefit of workplace safety the most pertinent answer in this context.