Healthcare workers, including medical professionals and support staff, experience some of the highest cases of occupational injury and illness of any industry sector. Healthcare online certification helps create a healthy, stable work environment that promotes worker safety and health and improves patient care.

Numerous workplace hazards exist in the healthcare industry, such as bloodborne pathogens, medical waste, sharps injuries, chemical exposure, physical hazards, radiation, violence, and stress. 2011 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies musculoskeletal disorders (for example, strains and sprains) as the most common cause of work-related injuries. Online training in topics such as ergonomics, prevention controls, and communication standards helps prevent or reduce exposure to healthcare hazards.

OSHA healthcare training focuses on the numerous occupational health and safety hazards of the healthcare industry, but injury and illness rates in hospitals remain nearly twice that of other industries. Patient health and safety is also affected by worker illness and injury. Workers who have the protection, support, and knowledge they need are less likely to make errors or fail to follow safe practices.

Workplace injuries can result in more than workers' compensation claims and costs. Temporary staffing costs money and those workers may require additional training. If an injured worker's shifts are backfilled by existing staff, working overtime increases the likelihood of fatigue, burnout, and injury.