A new key hazard list from OSHA will lead to nursing homes facing tougher scrutiny. The expanded hazards include musculosketal disorders related to resident handling, workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis and slips, trips and falls.
OSHA stated the goal of the expanded list is to reduce overexposure to these hazards through a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and outreach. About half of all injuries to nursing home workers involve preventable musculoskeletal disorders that are often caused by movements used to lift, reposition and transfer residents. These disorders can include conditions such as tendonitis, muscle strains and lower back injuries.
To avoid unnecessary manual handling, OSHA said nursing homes must:
- Make sure they have an adequate number of lifts, assistive devices and accessories for each resident requiring a lift
- Ensure they have enough charged batteries to power the assistive devices throughout an entire shift
To read the memo, click here.
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