Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for roughly one-third of workplace illness and injuries in the United States. According to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, overexertion injuries, which include those from work-related lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, or throwing, cost U.S. businesses $14.2 billion in direct costs in 2013.
The California Nurses Association says new state regulations by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will result in improved safety for patients, registered nurses, and other staff in lifting and other handling of hospitalized patients.
Ergo injuries cost U.S. businesses billions a year
August 5, 2014
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the Canadian Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, has released a new report that can help occupational health and safety practitioners more accurately and efficiently assess postural stress of workers performing their duties at work.
A study from the University of Sydney finds that lower back pain (LBP) is a significant cause of work-related disability. It affected 26 percent of the global population in 2010, and varied considerably with age, gender and region.
OSHA has developed Safe Patient Handling: Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nursing Homes, a new brochure that addresses the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among nursing home and residential care workers.
In support of its alliance with OSHA, AIHA has developed a new “QuickTips” sheet to provide OHS professionals with information on safe patient handling and mobility.
Workers comp claims, incident reports can provide helpful data
December 6, 2013
The rise of work-place injuries related to musculoskeletal disorders -- which is costing U.S. businesses more than $20 billion a year -- may be reduced if companies include ergonomic risk assessments in their occupational health and safety management systems, according to an article in the December issue of Professional Safety.
The majority of occupational injuries suffered by clinicians and nurses are due to patient transfers, according to a recent survey, which found that one in three clinicians and nurses report being injured while moving patients from a bed to a chair.
Workers at risk for ergo injuries, infectious diseases
November 7, 2013
With more than two million workers in the U.S. employed in the cleaning and custodial services, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) has posted a new topic page that provides informational resources for protecting workers from the hazards commonly found in this occupation.
Measure would establish a patient handling, mobility and injury prevention standard
September 24, 2013
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has sent a letter to U.S. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D. Mich.) supporting a bill that would protect both health care workers and patients from injuries.