Nursing AssistantChapter 9: Workplace Safety

PROTECTING YOUR BODY

Nursing assistants are twice as likely to be injured on the job than other health care workers

Ergonomics

The practice of designing equipment and work tasks to conform to the capability of the worker.

Adjusting the environment and work related practices to prevent injury

Force: the amount of physical effort that is required to perform a task

Repetition: the same motion, or series of motions, are performed continually or frequently

Awkward postures: assuming a position that places stress on the body, such as, reaching above shoulder height, kneeling, squatting, leaning over a bed, or twisting the torso while lifting

PROTECTING YOUR BODY

OSHA recommends that workers should be provided with ergonomics training

OSHA recommends that manual lifting of residents in long-term care should be minimalized in all cases and eliminated whenever possible

Specific training for your facility and equipment

PROTECTING YOUR BODY

The “ABC’s” of Good Body Mechanics

The efficient movement and use of the body

Alignment

Good posture

Back held at “neutral” position

Connect ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle with vertical line

Connect nose, sternum, navel, and space between legs evenly in half

PROTECTING YOUR BODY

Balance

Stability produced by even distribution of weight

Hold center of gravity close to base of support

You can increase base of support by spreading feet farther apart

You can bring center of gravity closer by bending your knees and hips

Coordinated body movement

Using body weight to help with movement

PROTECTING YOUR BODY

Lifting and Back Safety Lifting is a required task for nursing assistants

Back injuries are the most common work-related injuries in the nursing field

Range from muscle strains and soreness to ruptured vertebral discs

Back injuries can be career ending

Good body mechanics and technique is required

Muscles of arms and legs are connected to long bones

Designed to lift and bear weight

Muscles of back are flat and “fan-like”

Not designed to lift weight

Back supports

FOLLOWING PROCEDURES

Pre-Procedure Actions

Wash

Gather

Knock

Identify

Explain

Provide Privacy

See to Safety

FOLLOWING PROCEDURES

Post-procedure actions

Confirm

Leave

See to Safety

Open

Wash

Report and Record

PREVENTING FALLS

Be aware of surroundings

Only move as fast as you are safely able

Cautious of wet floors

Clean up spills

Place signs in the area

Eliminate objects in your path

Electrical cords

Furniture

Keep hallways clear

Adequate lighting

PREVENTING FALLS

Help patients that are weak, unsteady, or uncooperative

Ask for help

PREVENTING CHEMICAL INJURIES

Many chemicals used in the health care setting

most are harmless, but some can be very dangerous

OSHA requires employers to maintain a list of ALL chemicals used in the facility

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Summarizes key information about the chemical, what to do in case of exposure, and how to clean up a spill

Must be renewed every 3 years

Must be readily available

PREVENTING ELECTRICAL SHOCKS

Many electrical appliances used in health care

Always used grounded appliances and power strips

Keep eye out for frayed wires, and cut cords

Appropriately use extension cords

Limit personal electronics

Watch for moisture

FIRE SAFETY

Out of control fire can have tragic consequences

Hundreds of people

Many who cannot help themselves

Preventing Fires

For a fire to occur, three elements must be present:

Fuel

Heat

Oxygen

FIRE SAFETY

FIRE SAFETY

Fuel

Cloth, such as bed linene, mattresses, and clothing

Paper

Substances that easily catch fire and burn such as cooking oil, gasoline, nail polish remover, alcohol

The building itself

FIRE SAFETY

Heat

An electrical spark: shorted cord, piece of equipment, lightning

Lighted smoking materials: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc..

Lighted candles

Heating elements: radiators, heaters, furnaces, hotplates

Stoves

FIRE SAFETY

Oxygen

Found in air around us

Therapeutic, supplemental oxygen