1. Occupational Safety and Health Course for Healthcare Professionals

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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….

5. OSHA recommends minimizing manual lifting of patients/residents in all cases and eliminating lifting when possible.

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

7. 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

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

9. 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.

10.  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.

11.  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.

12. 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.

13.  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

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

15.  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?

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19.  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?