July 31, 2002—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to focus outreach efforts and inspections on specific hazards in nursing and personal care facilities with high injury and illness rates.
“Nursing and personal care facilities are a growing industry where hazards are known and effective controls are available,” said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. “The industry also ranks among the highest in terms of injuries and illnesses, with rates about 2 times that of all other general industries.”
The program will focus outreach efforts and inspections primarily on hazards most prevalent in the facilities, including:
- Ergonomics primarily related to resident handling;
- Exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials;
- Exposure to tuberculosis; and
- Slips, trips, and falls.
Resident handling and slips, trips, and falls account for the majority of injuries suffered by nursing home workers.
The National Emphasis Program will focus OSHA’s resources on those nursing and personal care facilities that have 14 or more injuries or illnesses resulting in lost work days or restricted activity for every 100 full-time workers. OSHA is planning to inspect approximately 1,000 of these facilities. OSHA will also address workplace violence in this industry through training and outreach.
