Workplace Safety Practices for Preventing Injuries Among Health Care Workers

1. Unit 4 Personal and Workplace Safety

2. Chapter 9 Body Mechanics

3. Importance of Prevention • Health care workers prone to injury • Injuries usually due to poor practice and same mistakes repeated over time • As one ages, risks increase

4. Risk Factors • Poor posture • Poor body mechanics • Low level of fitness • Obesity • Stress • Mechanical • Psychological

5. Best Preventive Practices • Good posture • Regular exercise • Stretching for flexibility • Good nutrition habits to prevent weight gain • Adoption of good lifestyle habits to reduce stress

6. Definitions • Body mechanics • Correct positioning for given task • Ergonomics • Science of designing and arranging work and living environments • Maximize efficiency, health, and safety

7. Question • Which of the following is the best definition of body mechanics? • Correct positioning of the body for a given task • Science of designing and arranging things for maximum efficiency, health, and safety • Exercises to maintain strength and flexibility

8. Answer • A. Correct positioning of the body for a given task • Body mechanics • Correct positioning of body for given task • Ergonomics • Science of designing and arranging things for maximum efficiency, health, and safety

9. Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMI) • Overuse of one body part places stress on tendons, nerves, or joints • Most injuries involve hands, arms, or neck and shoulder area • Causes inflammation, swelling, and pain

10. RMI Common Symptoms • Pain • Paresthesias • Numbness, coldness, or loss of sensation • Clumsiness, weakness, or lack of coordination (continued)

11. RMI Common Symptoms • Popping, clicking, or cracking sound • Swelling or redness in affected area • Impaired range of motion (ROM) or locking of joint

12. Most Common RMIs • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Thoracic outlet syndrome • Tendonitis

13. Question • Which of the following conditions is most likely to result in an inability to make a fist? • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Thoracic outlet syndrome • Tendonitis

14. Answer • A. Carpal tunnel syndrome • Carpal tunnel syndrome affects hands and wrist • Can result in inability to make fist • Thoracic outlet syndrome • Most likely to result in tingling, numbness, and pain in neck, shoulder, arms, or hands

15. Answer • A. Carpal tunnel syndrome • Tendonitis • Results in swelling, tenderness, or weakness in tendons of shoulders, elbows, or hands

16. General Principles • Maintain three normal curves of back • Warm up and stretch before and after activities • Use largest joints and muscles • Avoid static positions (continued)

17. General Principles • Make adjustments or stop if pain occurs • Use supports as recommended • Seek treatment early • Learn to cope with psychological stress

18. Treatment of RMIs • Varies with severity of injury • Conservative measures • Surgical procedures • Physical and occupational therapists • Psychotherapy • Recovery and prognosis

19. Question • True or False: • With proper treatment, the prognosis for a RMI is complete recovery.

20. Answer • False • Some will not recover full use of affected part • Must change occupations or give up activity that produced original injury

21. Body Mechanics • Proper mechanics while: • Sitting • Standing and walking • Lifting • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) statement on back belts

22. Back Belts: Pros • Increases intra-abdominal pressure to support muscles during lifting • Warms muscles of abdomen and back to increase flexibility • Serves as reminder to follow proper body mechanics

23. Back Belts: Cons • Increases blood and pelvic pressures that could cause cardiac problems • Causes heat rashes • Causes pain and injuries with improper fit • Provides false sense of security

24. Computers and Ergonomics • Impact on RMIs • Use of mouse and RMI • How to decrease RMIs from use of mouse

25. Computer Exercises • Make fist, open hands, and spread fingers • Interlace fingers and extend arms • Rotate head • Shrug shoulders and relax • Place arm on other shoulder and turn head to opposite shoulder

26. Computer Workstation

27. Computer Standing Posture

28. Question • Which of the following is the best eye level when working at a computer? • Top of monitor just above eye level • Top of monitor at eye level • Top of monitor just below eye level

29. Answer • C. Top of monitor just below eye level • Position top of monitor just below eye level directly in front of body

30. Visual Problems • Eyestrain • Headaches • Why eyes tire more easily when viewing computer

31. Prevent Eyestrain • Look away from computer • Rest eyes every 20 to 30 minutes • Adjust contrast on computer • Keep computer screen clean • Avoid glare on screen • Use glare screen • Use paper holder

32. Question • True or False: • Wrist rests help prevent injuries when used during active typing.

33. Answer • False • Use wrist restraints during pauses to help maintain neutral position • Not meant to be used during active typing