11017130/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Ergonomics for Healthcare Workers

11017130/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

BLR’s Safety Training Presentations

Ergonomics for Healthcare Workers


Goals

MSDs and an Ergonomics Process Equipment and Safe Work Practices Quiz


OSHA Requirements

Nursing Home Guidelines General Duty Clause Minimizing manual

lifting of residents Ergonomics process


Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)

Injury or disorder of the nervous system or soft tissue: Muscles Tendons Ligaments Joints Cartilage Blood vessels Nerves


Common MSDs

Carpal tunnel syndrome Tendinitis Thoracic outlet syndrome Rotator cuff syndrome Sciatica Epicondylitis


MSD Signs and Symptoms

Back and neck: shooting pain, stiffness

Shoulders: pain, stiffness, loss of mobility

Arms and legs: shooting pain, numbness

Elbow and knee joints: pain, swelling, stiffness


MSD Signs and Symptoms (cont.)

Hands and wrists: pain, swelling, numbness Fingers: pain, loss of strength or mobility Thumbs: pain at the base Feet and toes: numbness, stiffness,

burning sensation


Ergonomic Risk Factors

Force—heavy lifting Repetition—same

motion done frequently Awkward posture—

reaching, leaning, twisting


Employee Involvement

Submit suggestions or concerns Discuss work methods Participate in design of work practices Evaluate equipment Join the ergonomics team


Identify Problems

Injury and illness reports Near-miss investigations Employee interviews

and surveys Workplace observations


Implement Solutions

Safe work practices Use of equipment Daily tasks and

emergency situations Individual resident factors


Reporting Injuries

Early reporting of MSD symptoms

Medical treatment Alternative duty

program Minimize likelihood

of permanent disability Identify problem areas


Employee Training

Recognize MSD symptoms Identify ergonomic issues Implement control measures Follow safe work practices


Continuous Evaluation

Sustains ergonomic efforts Identify new problems Follow up on unresolved issues Determine if solutions are effective


Goals



Resident Assessment

Level of assistance required

Size and weight of the resident

Ability to understand and cooperate

Medical conditions


Bed-Chair, Chair-Chair, Car-Chair

Assistance not needed Stand and pivot with

transfer belt Powered assist lift Full-body sling lift Seated transfer aid


Lateral Transfer

Assistance not needed Lateral sliding aid and two caregivers Friction-reducing device and two caregivers Mechanical lateral transfer device


Chair to Exam Table

Stand by for safety Lower exam table/stretcher Use a nonpowered stand-assist aid Use full-body sling lift and two caregivers


Reposition in Bed

Use a positioning aid Use a friction-reducing

device and three caregivers Raise bed height to elbows Use a full-body sling


Reposition in Chair

Take advantage of chair functions Stand by for safety Patient lifts, caregiver

pushes knees Recline chair, use friction-

reducing device Use nonpowered

stand-assist aid Use full-body sling


Up from the Floor

Determine if patient is injured

Stand by for assistance Use full-body sling

and two caregivers


Other Activities

Bending to make a bed Lifting food trays Collecting trash Pushing heavy carts


Other Activities (cont.)

Removing items from a deep cart Lifting and carrying supplies Bending over to crank an adjustable bed Removing laundry from washer and dryer


Goals



Summary

Recognize MSD symptoms Avoid ergonomic risk factors Participate in the ergonomic process Lifting and repositioning assessment Evaluate all of your tasks


Quiz

1. Name one of the three main ergonomic risk factors.

2. Give one example of a common MSD.

3. How can employees become involved in the ergonomic process?

4. How can ergonomic problems be identified?

5. Why should you report MSD symptoms early?

6. Name two things to consider when doing a resident assessment.

7. Describe equipment that can be used to move a resident from bed to chair.


Quiz (cont.)

8. In a lateral transfer, how many caregivers are needed?

9. If a patient is cooperative and fully weight bearing, what does the caregiver do?

10. Even when using a full-body sling, how many caregivers are needed?


Quiz Answers

1. Repetition, force, awkward posture

2. Carpal tunnel, tendinitis, rotator cuff, sciatica, epicondylitis, lower back pain

3. Submit suggestions, design work methods, evaluate equipment

4. Injury reports, employee interviews, observations

5. Early medical treatment, alternate duty jobs

6. Assistance resident needs, size and weight, cooperation, medical conditions

7. Powered-assist or full-body sling lift


Quiz Answers (cont.)

8. Minimum of two caregivers

9. Stand by for safety

10. At least two caregivers

Documents

11017130/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Ergonomics for Healthcare Workers