OSHA Inspection: ALPHA HEALTH SERVICES, INC., DBA THIRD STREET

Issued

Feb 21, 2003

Abate by

Nov 15, 2003

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $265 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 serious physical harm to employees,
in that employees
were required to perform lifting tasks resulting in stressors that have
caused or were likely to
cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs):
On or about November 13, 2002, and at times prior thereto, employees at
the Third
Street Nursing Home Facility were required to transfer non-weight bearing
clients
manually by lifting them.  Evaluation of the 2-person lifts and the use of
the
stationary manually operated bathroom lift to transfer nursing home
clients indicates
that employees, including Life Skills Coaches, are exposed to a hazard
which is
causing or likely to cause MSDs.  Employees transferring non-weight
bearing clients
manually by lifting them were exposed to lifting related hazards resulting
in injuries
and disorders such as lumbar or back strain/sprain/pain, injury to the
L5/S1 disc, and
various shoulder injuries.
OSHA has determined that one method of addressing these stressors is to
implement a "no
manual lift" ("no lift") policy for transferring and lifting of non-weight
bearing
and partial
weight bearing clients.  This necessitates the use of appropriate
mechanical lift assist and
transfer devices.
Attached is a list of available resources that may be of assistance to you
in addressing work-
related injuries and illnesses in your workplace.
Abatement suggestions:
1.Worksite analysis to recognize and identify existing ergonomic stressors
related to
client handling.  This analysis should identify client handling tasks that
are causing or
likely to cause injury.
2.Occupational Health Management which includes accurate recordkeeping of
manual
lifting injuries.  The protocol should address early recognition,
evaluation, referral of
client handling injury/illness cases, and return to work
policies/procedures.
Systematic worksite review should be included.
3.Training and education for exposed employees, including methods to
evaluate the
effectiveness of the training.  Re-training should be done annually or as
operations
change.  Training should be done in a manner understood by all employees
and
should address hazards associated with the job, early recognition of
ergonomic
injuries and illnesses, the risks of manual client handling, the mandatory
use of
appropriate mechanical lifting devices and other client handling
equipment, as
appropriate "no lift" policy, and the prevention of client handling
injuries/illnesses.
Training should also be provided to management.  A supervisors' training
program
should also be implemented.  This program would include the recognition and
importance of reporting manual lifting hazards, the importance of using
mechanicallifting devices and other client handling equipment, and the
safe operation of this
equipment.  The training program should include the establishment's health
care
providers to ensure that they are able to recognize and prescribe
appropriate treatment
for MSDs.
Education material or training on ergonomics and resident handling should
be
provided to those responsible for implementing policy and purchasing
equipment.
4.Hazard prevention and control which includes engineering,
administrative, and work
practice controls.
Examples of engineering controls include:
a.The use of appropriate mechanical lift-assist devices to reduce
significantly, if not eliminate, manual transferring and lifting of totally
non-weight bearing clients.
b.The use of mechanical lifts or lift walkers to reduce significantly, if
not
eliminate, manual transferring and lifting of partial weight bearing
clients.
c.Double-handled gait belts or other transfer assist devices (such as but
not limited to slip sheets and pivot transfer devices).
d.Equipment to assist with daily living (such as toilet/shower chairs,
toilet risers, pelvic lift devices and height adjustable bathtubs).
Administrative controls reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of
exposure to
client handling hazards.  These controls may include preventative
maintenance of
client handling equipment and maintenance of slings and belts in a
sanitary condition.
Work practice controls include proper work techniques such as using the
appropriate
lift-assist devices correctly.
Note: Abatement certification required for this item.

Issued

Feb 21, 2003

Abate by

May 15, 2003

Penalty

Initial $1,125 · Current $200 Reduced

Issued

Feb 21, 2003

Abate by

Mar 12, 2003