OSHA Inspection: BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC. DBA CARPENTER CARE

Issued

1992-01-31 00:00:00

Abate by

2007-03-28 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2975.00 · Current $1.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or
serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the
hazards of repetitive lifting and other strenuous operations.  This exposur e
caused, aggravated, or precipitated employee injuries to the trunk and uppe r
extremities.  The exposure occurred at the following operation:
(a)  Nursing Department:  Nursing personnel including
nursing assistants (NA), and licensed practical nurses
(LPN); while performing routine patient transfer
activities.  The injury records for 1989, 1990 and
1991 document a pattern of such injuries.
The following conditions contributed to the existence
of this hazard:
1.  Administrative procedures did not provide for
effective communication to employees of
information relating to resident transfer
methods.  This information is necessary to
reduce the risk of employee injury. This condition
was evidenced by inadeuate transfer information on
resident care plans and by the practice of
employees performing solo transfer of residents.
2.  Management involvement in addressing ergonomic
hazards was inadequate as evidenced by the absence
of effective implemented written program outlining
ergonomic program goals, policies, procedures
and workplace evaluation techniques.
3.  The training program did not consistently include
an opportunity for employees to practice transfer
methods or to discuss the information presented
during training sessions.  The training did not
include proper use and application of lift assist
devices.
4.  Assist devices were inadequate to variety, quantity
and policy of use.
5.  An injury prevention program had not been
developed and implemented that would allow for
expert review of workplace conditions, work
practices, and work routines that contribute to
employee injuries
AMONG OTHER METHODS, A FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT
THIS HAZARD WOULD BE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM FOR DEALING WIT H
RESIDENT TRANSFER.  AT A MINIMUM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN THE
PROGRAM:
I    Management Commitment
1.  Implement an ergonomics program.  Ensure that the
program includes a clear statement of management's
commitment to effectively deal with the problem of
employee injuries related to resident transfers and
other strenuous activities.  Ensure that the
program is written;  addresses the area of employee
involvement;  and provides a mandatory mechanism
for regular program review and evaluation.
II   Worksite Analysis
1.  Analyze medical, safety and insurance records
including the OSHA-200 log and information compiled
through the medical management program;
2.  Identify those employee jobs that are the most
physically stressful and may be related to
employee injuries;
3.  Develop and immplement ergonomic solutions to
resident transfer and handling problems;
4.  Conduct periodic workplace surveys to evaluate
the implementation and effectiveness of resident
transfer methods.
III  Hazard Prevention and Control
1.  Ensure that patient chairs and other furniture
are designed to facilitate safe transfer.  For
example select chairs that allow for proper
positioning of employee's feet during a resident
transfer.  Use wheelchairs with removable arms
whenever possible.  Give consideration to location
of controls and the range of height adjustments
for beds.
2.  Assure that assist devices such as hoists are
available in sufficient quantity to ensure
resident transfers are performed according to
care plans.  When selecting a particular type
of assist device include consideration of resident
comfort and employee preference.  Use Gait Belts
in a manner consistent with correct resident
handling procedures.
3.  Develop and implement a maintenance program for
lift assist devices.  Ensure that sufficient back
up equipment is available during periods when
primary equipment is out of service.
4.  Reduce the number of resident transfers to the
maximum extent feasible by use of equipment such
as chair scales that require no resident transfers
and use of shower chairs that are compatible with
toileting facilities.
IV    Training
1.  Supervisory nurses will be trained to properly
evaluate the resident transfer techniques
practiced by the nursing staff.
2.  Training on resident transfer techniques will
be presented by instructors who have been
certified in the existing "Lift with Care
Programm" or equivalent.
3.  Orientation training for new employees will
include practice and discussion of proper resident
transfer techniques as indicated in the existing
"Lift with Care Program".  On the job orientation
will include the opportunity for the training
officer to observe the trainee during resident
transfer procedures.
4.  Refresher training will be provided that includes
practice and discussion of proper resident
transfer techniques.  Employees who miss training
sessions will be provided with equivalent training
sessions.  Employees returning to work after time
off from a work related injury will be reevaluated
in resident transfer techniques and retrained
as necessary.
5.  All employees expected to use lift assist devices
will be trained in the proper use and limitations
of the equipment.
ABATEMENT SCHEDULE
Step 1 - Submit to the Area Director a detailed plan of abate-
ment outlining a schedule for the implementation of
engineering and/or administrative measures to control
employee injury due to resident transfer tasks.  All
proposed control measures shall be approved by a person
knowledgeable in the evaluation of workplace conditions
which cause lifting disorders and injuries.  Sixty day
progress reports are required during the abatement
period.
Step 2 - Abatement shall have been completed by the
implementation of feasible engineering and/or
administrative controls.

Issued

1992-01-31 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-02-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1700.00 · Current $1275.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-01-31 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-02-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $850.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced

Issued

1992-01-31 00:00:00

Abate by

1992-02-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $850.00 · Current $638.00 Reduced