Occupational Safety and Health Course for Healthcare Professionals

Describe the OSHA Ergonomic guidelines as they apply to healthcare settings.

Identify potential ergonomic hazards in healthcare.

Recognize practical solutions to eliminate and/or minimize ergonomic problems in the workplace.

The practice of designing equipment and work tasks to conform to the physical capability of the employee;

A means for adjusting the work environment and work practices to prevent injuries before they occur.

Strives to assure safe and healthful working conditions;

Mandates that each employer shall provide each employee a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm….

OSHA recommends minimizing manual lifting of patients/residents in all cases and eliminating lifting

when possible.

Leadership Employee participation Identification and analysis of hazards Hazard prevention and control Medical management Education Recordkeeping

Demonstrate a commitment to reduce or eliminate patient lifting/moving hazards:

* establish a written plan * consistent, continuous training of employees in injury prevention * identify appropriate methods of transfer and lifting to be used by all staff * assure compliance with these methods * support reporting and follow-up evaluation of signs/symptoms of back pain or other musculoskeletal injuries

• Empowering/encouraging employees * to report unsafe working conditions * engage employees in identifying hazards and potential solutions * prompt reporting of any injury.

Identify existing and potential hazards through assessment of work tasks and routines.

* look for duration, frequency, and magnitude of exposure to ergonomic stressors: - force - repetition - awkward postures - vibration - contact stress * do this through observation, workplace walkthroughs, talking with employees, and periodic screening surveys.

Repetitive: repeatedly making manual adjustments to equipment.

Awkward positions: reaching across objects/beds to lift patients or materials; uncomfortable positions of computers/chairs/desks in any areas.

Force: pushing wheelchairs/stretchers/supply carts/cleaning equipment across elevation changes, on/off elevators, up ramps.

Heavy lifting: manually lifting heavy patients or equipment alone.

Overexertion: trying to stop a patient or object from falling or picking up a patient or heavy equipment who has fallen.

Multiple lifts per shift : more than 20 Lifting alone: limited available staff to help Moving/lifting uncooperative/combative patients. Moving large objects: portable X-Ray machines,

cleaning equipment, etc. Moving/lifting patients that cannot support their

weight. Caring for overweight (bariatric) patients. Ineffective training of employees.

Includes implementing and monitoring administrative and engineering controls.

* Administrative controls: provide adequate staffing, assessment of ergonomic hazards and needs

in all work areas, provide training and monitoring. * Engineering controls: provide appropriate moving and lifting equipment, provide training in safe lifting/moving and use of equipment, keep work areas uncluttered, good lighting of work areas, eliminate uneven floor surfaces, and immediate clean up of spills.

Analyze jobs in each area and work environment. Modify how tasks are done, change the

environment, monitor use of appropriate equipment.

Training in lifting, moving for employees; training related to computer workstations/desk areas as appropriate.

Involve physical therapists in training program.

* www.osha.gov/desp/success_stories/ergonomics

Many people work with computers every day. May sit or stand at computers. Evaluation checklist (OSHA Ergonomic Solutions)

can be helpful.

Top of monitor at or just below eye level. Head and neck balanced and in-line with torso. Shoulders relaxed. Elbows close to body. Lower back supported. Wrists and hands in-line with forearms. Adequate room for keyboard and mouse. Feet flat on floor. If using a computer on wheels: can height be

adjusted, room for mouse, lighting?

Careful, comprehensive management of employees with injuries:

* Accurate and prompt reporting of injuries. * Early treatment of injured employees. * “light duty” or “no lifting” work restrictions during recovery periods. * Monitoring of injured employees to identify when they are ready to return to full duty.

Critically important to an ergonomic safety program:

* For all employees who may encounter a hazard. * Consistent and current. * Provide opportunity for employees to practice and demonstrate safe techniques. * Review reporting of injuries.

OSHA requires that employers record each fatality, injury, or illness that:

* is work related and * is a new case, and * meets one or more of the criteria as cited in sections 29 CFR 1904.7 through 1904.12 of the regulations.

Involve employees in finding the solutions that will work for your setting.

Encourage employees to think carefully before lifting/moving an object or a patient: what is the safest way to do this?

Provide appropriate lifting equipment. Good work practices based on education and role-

modeling is the best! Other simple solutions?