The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 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, according to an article on the Medical Construction & Design website.
Healthcare workers experience some of the highest rates of non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses of any industry sector, the article said.
In 2012, injuries and illnesses reported for nursing and residential care workers were nearly twice the number of those reported for construction workers, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The OSHA brochure explains how implementing a safe patient handling program can reduce or prevent the number and severity of these hazards.