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

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Goals MSDs and an Ergonomics Process Equipment and Safe Work Practices Quiz

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. OSHA Requirements Nursing Home Guidelines General Duty Clause Minimizing manual lifting of residents Ergonomics process

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Injury or disorder of the nervous system or soft tissue: Muscles Tendons Ligaments Joints Cartilage Blood vessels Nerves

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Common MSDs Carpal tunnel syndrome Tendinitis Thoracic outlet syndrome Rotator cuff syndrome Sciatica Epicondylitis

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

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

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Ergonomic Risk Factors Force—heavy lifting Repetition—same motion done frequently Awkward posture— reaching, leaning, twisting

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Employee Involvement Submit suggestions or concerns Discuss work methods Participate in design of work practices Evaluate equipment Join the ergonomics team

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Identify Problems Injury and illness reports Near-miss investigations Employee interviews and surveys Workplace observations

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Implement Solutions Safe work practices Use of equipment Daily tasks and emergency situations Individual resident factors

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Reporting Injuries Early reporting of MSD symptoms Medical treatment Alternative duty program Minimize likelihood of permanent disability Identify problem areas

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Employee Training Recognize MSD symptoms Identify ergonomic issues Implement control measures Follow safe work practices

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Continuous Evaluation Sustains ergonomic efforts Identify new problems Follow up on unresolved issues Determine if solutions are effective

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Goals MSDs and an Ergonomics Process Equipment and Safe Work Practices Quiz

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Resident Assessment Level of assistance required Size and weight of the resident Ability to understand and cooperate Medical conditions

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

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Lateral Transfer Assistance not needed Lateral sliding aid and two caregivers Friction-reducing device and two caregivers Mechanical lateral transfer device

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

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

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

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Up from the Floor Determine if patient is injured Stand by for assistance Use full-body sling and two caregivers

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Other Activities Bending to make a bed Lifting food trays Collecting trash Pushing heavy carts

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

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Goals MSDs and an Ergonomics Process Equipment and Safe Work Practices Quiz

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Summary Recognize MSD symptoms Avoid ergonomic risk factors Participate in the ergonomic process Lifting and repositioning assessment Evaluate all of your tasks

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

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

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

/0312 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers (cont.) 8.Minimum of two caregivers 9.Stand by for safety 10.At least two caregivers