This year, the Occupation Safety and Health Administration announced increased safety measures levied against hospitals aimed at preventing serious injuries to nursing staff. OSHA officials will be investigating the steps taken by hospital administration to cut down on injuries and keep their staffs healthy and safe. Hospitals who do not adopt the recommended safety measures risk being fined.
How are nursing employees at risk?
Nursing employees are at risk of debilitating injuries to their arms, shoulders, backs, and necks from lifting, turning, and catching patients. Preventative measures recommended by OSHA include proper lifting techniques but will also stress the importance of using assistive devices and machines and hoist patients. Studies have shown that even training on appropriate lifting techniques still expose nurses to significant risk of injury.
After an injury has occurred, especially a serious back or neck injury, nurses often find it difficult to return to their regular work. Orthopaedic physicians and back doctors may put an injured employee on work restrictions such as no lifting above 15 pounds, no bending and no squatting in order to prevent further injury. Due to the physical demands of their occupations, nurses and nursing staff may be faced with difficult financial and career decisions.
“All too often I am representing CNAs and nurses who have been injured on the job while trying to help others who are sick or disabled. The most prevalent injury I see is herniated discs in the low back. These injuries are incurred by home health aides, CNAs in nursing homes and registered nurses in hospitals all over greater Atlanta, Georgia.” – Zack Hendon
If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, call The Hendon Law Firm at our Marietta, Georgia or Atlanta, Georgia office to make sure your rights are being protected and that you are receiving the benefits you deserve.
Source and additional info: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/24/417186384/osha-launches-program-to-protect-nursing-employees
