623 Healthcare: Preventing Ergonomic Injuries

Training

A training program, designed and implemented by qualified persons, should be in place to provide continual education and training about ergonomic hazards and controls to managers, supervisors and all healthcare providers, including "new employee" orientation.

Training should be updated and presented to employees as changes occur at the workplace, and be at a level of understanding appropriate for those individuals being trained, and should also include:

• The opportunity to ask questions of the trainer.
• An overview of the potential risks, causes, and symptoms of back injury and other injuries. Be able to identify existing ergonomic stressors and methods of control, such as the use of engineering, administrative, and work practice controls particularly safe resident handling techniques.
• Recognizing the signs and symptoms of MSDs and the procedures for reporting potential problems.
• Encouragement of staff physical fitness.
• Lifting guidelines for health care workers (nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses) which should include:
• Never transfer patients when off balance.
• Lift loads close to the body.
• Never lift alone, particularly fallen patients, use team lifts or use mechanical assistance.
• Limit the number of allowed lifts per worker per day.
• Avoid heavy lifting especially with spine rotated.
• Training in when and how to use mechanical assistance.

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