Tag Archives: Lifting safety

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues

ERGONOMICS – HEALTH CARE WORKERS

Healthcare workers – nurses, nurse aides, physical therapists, EMS personnel, etc., are in a league of their own.  Their work-day (or night) consists of assessing patient needs and providing treatment for them, many times under a great deal of stress.  The science of fitting the job to the worker is called Ergonomics.  When the physical capacity of the worker is mismatched with the physical requirements of the job, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can happen.  Ergonomics is the practice of designing tasks and equipment to fit the capabilities of the worker in order to prevent injuries before they occur.

Health care workers, especially those in nursing homes, are in an environment where these types of stress exist.  Many patients/residents totally depend on staff members to assist them with most activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, etc.  Employee injuries can result due to multiple interactions when transferring/handling persons.

Management of healthcare facilities is responsible for developing a safety program to ensure the well being of both the patients/residents and employees.  Health care workers should be given the opportunity to be a part of the program planning process.  Workplace hazards could be identified through documenting the number of illness/injuries, reports of unsafe conditions, reports of back pain, and potential incidents.

Some lifting guidelines are:

  • Never lift alone
  • Never transfer patient/resident when you are off balance
  • Limit the number of lifts per worker per day
  • Provide proper training on how to use lift equipment
  • Do not lift when body is in a twisted position

Back and wrist supports, and elbow pads offer some relief from the stress and strain on the body while lifting.  It is important that family members who serve as caregivers in the home seek some type of training on lifting, in order to stay in good physical condition and protect the loved one they are caring for.

OSHA

Back Safety, Ergonomics, General Safety Issues, Home Safety Products

Proper Lifting Techniques

We use our back every day, whether we realize it or not.  We twist, bend, push, pull, and lift all day long.  Most of us don’t pay much attention to the movements and back muscles involved in these everyday actions. That is, until we pull a muscle in our back and have trouble doing simple things like sitting, walking, or even getting in and out of bed.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, there have been an average of nearly 270,000 reported back or spine injuries each year from 2003 to 2006.  Fortunately, these numbers are steadily decreasing(303,750 in 2003, down to 250,670 in 2006), so progress is being made.

Most injuries probably could have been avoided by paying a little more attention to what we are doing and how we are doing it.  Proper lifting techniques and using team lifting for heavier or awkward items help reduce the strain on your back muscles.

  • Keep objects close to your body: Carrying objects close to your body helps keep the “load center” in balance.  The farther from the body the item is, the more muscle strength needed to lift the item.  This forces the muscles to move in ways they are not designed to move, which can cause a strain or pull.
  • Bend your knees and keep your back straight: Focusing on keeping your back straight reduces the chances of twisting or bending in such a way that puts stress or strain on the muscles
  • Lift with your legs: Your leg muscles are designed to lift.  Using your leg muscles makes it easier to lift the item, as well as take the strain off your back.

Some jobs or hobbies require constant lifting and carrying.  In these situations, it may be helpful to utilize a back support. They come in many different styles and are fairly inexpensive($17-$36). When compared to the national average of around $9,000 per incident for non-surgery medical expenses ($30,000+ for injuries requiring surgery), $36 and a bit of prevention is well worth the time and cost.