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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
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 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
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