More than 11 million healthcare workers are employed in the United States, constituting about eight percent of the entire workforce. These workers represent many different occupations that expose them to a variety of hazards.

For example, nurses confront such potential hazards as exposure to infectious diseases and toxic substances, back injuries, radiation exposure and stress. Housekeepers may be exposed to cleaners and disinfectants that can cause rashes and eye and throat irritation and to infectious diseases such as hepatitis from hypodermic needles that have not been properly discarded. Maintenance workers might have to confront electrical, asbestos and solvent hazards.