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623 Healthcare: Preventing Ergonomic Injuries
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Other Ergonomic Hazards

Introduction

Some reports indicate a significant number of work-related MSDs in the healthcare facilities occur in activities other than patient lifting.

Shower Gurney: Use for bathing non-weight bearing patients. The cart can be raised to eliminate bending and reaching to the caregiver.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Potential Hazard

Slips/trips and falls from spills or environmental hazards.

Environmental hazards such as:

  • slippery or wet floors
  • uneven floor surfaces
  • lifting in confined spaces
  • cluttered or obstructed work areas/passageways
  • poorly maintained walkway or broken equipment
  • inadequate staffing levels to deal with the workload, leading to single person lifts and greater chances of falls
  • inadequate lighting, especially during evening shifts

Possible Solutions

Good work practice includes implementing engineering and work practices controls to help prevent slips/falls such as:

  • Eliminate uneven floor surfaces.
  • Create non slip surfaces in toilet/shower areas.
  • Immediately clean-up of fluids spilled on floor.
  • Safely work in cramped working spaces-avoiding awkward positions, using equipment that makes lifts less awkward.
  • Eliminate cluttered or obstructed work areas.
  • Provide adequate staffing levels to deal with the workload.

Potential Hazard

Increased potential for employee injury exists when awkward postures are used when handling or lifting patients. Awkward postures include:

  • forces on the spine increase when lifting, lowering or handling objects with the back bent or twisted
  • more muscular force is required when awkward postures are used because muscles cannot perform efficiently
  • fixed awkward postures (i.e., holding the arm out straight for several minutes) contribute to muscle and tendon fatigue, and joint soreness
  • reaching forward or twisting to support a patient from behind to assist them in walking

Possible Solutions

Good work practice recommends avoiding awkward postures while lifting or moving patients.

  • Educate and train employees about safer lifting techniques.
  • Use assist devices or other equipment whenever possible.
  • Use team lifting based on assessment.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. What is a good example of an engineering control to help prevent slips and falls?