Audience: Owners, operators, and managers of skilled nursing facilities Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders account for nearly three-fourths of the injuries to nursing facility staff that are serious enough to result in lost worktime. The purpose of this program is to explain the importance and benefits of ergonomics. Objectives: At the end of this course, you will be able to: - Define ergonomics;
- Describe the risk of injury to nursing facility staff;
- Identify the benefits of implementing an ergonomics program;
- Describe OSHA’s policy on ergonomics in nursing facilities;
- Identify some of the high risk activities in nursing facilities and how to use ergonomics to reduce the risk;
- Identify the basic elements of a facility ergonomics program;
- Identify management's role in ergonomics;
- Identify how to get information about new safety and work related products from journals, industry publications, web sites, manufacturers, and understand the benefits of working with vendors.
Course Topics: In this program, you will learn about: - The Definition of Ergonomics
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- The Benefits of Ergonomics
- OSHA's Policy on Ergonomics
- Applying Ergonomics Principles
- Developing an Ergonomics Management Program
- Ergonomics Resources
Course Authors: This course was written by Susan S. Harrington, MS, PE. The curriculum was developed by an interdisciplinary team of experts including: Guy Fragala, PhD, CSP, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, UMASS Medical Center; Dan MacLeod, MA, MPH, CPE, Ergonomist, Private Consultant; Norman K. Bohrer, MD, President, Bohrer and Associates; and Claire Cole, RN, C, MA, Staff Development Coordinator, Collington Episcopal Life Care Community. The program was developed by Harrington Software Associates, Inc, funded by a grant from NINR 1 R43 NR07919-01A1, Ergonomics for Nursing Facilities. |