Hazard Prevention and Control
Traditionally, a prioritized "Hierarchy of Controls" (HOC) has been used to implement feasible and effective exposure controls to protect workers. We encourage the use of the HOC as described within the ANSI/ASSP Z10, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, to control hazards. HOC strategies associated with ergonomics are discussed below.
Engineering controls: Help to isolate or remove the hazard from the workplace. Special assist devices such as:
- adjustable bathtubs
- lateral transfer devices
- overhead track-mounted patient lifters
Work Practice Controls: These are typically procedures and rules established by management to decrease the likelihood of exposure and injury. For example, establishing mandatory:
- using safe handling procedures
- mandating the use of special assist devices
- requiring safe lifting techniques
Medical Management
A medical management program, supervised by a person trained in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, should be in place to manage the care of those injured. The program should include:
- accurate injury and illness recording
- early identification and treatment of injured employees
- "light duty" or "no lifting" work restrictions during recovery periods
- systematic monitoring of injured employees to identify when they are ready to return to regular duty
Interim Measures
Using a lower priority hazard control method over another higher priority control strategy may be appropriate for providing interim (temporary) protection until the hazard is abated permanently. If you can't eliminate the hazard entirely, the interim control measures will likely be a combination of control methods used together. OSHA believes that feasible interim measures are always available if higher-level control methods are not possible.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-8. A lateral transfer device is an example of _____.
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