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.

The brochure explains how implementing a safe patient handling program can reduce or prevent the number and severity of these musculoskeletal hazards. A successful safe patient handling program includes a commitment to the program by all levels of management, a program committee that involves frontline workers, hazard assessment, selecting technology and equipment to control hazards and training workers on the elements of a safety patient handling program.

For more information about safe patient handling and on protecting healthcare workers, visit OSHA’s Healthcare Web page.

AIHA has a QuickTips sheet

In support of its alliance with OSHA, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has developed a new “QuickTips” sheet to provide OHS professionals with information on safe patient handling and mobility. This tip sheet helps OHS professionals identify these hazards and lists steps they can take to protect workers.