The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), under the Department of Labor (DOL) has declared a 
focus on inspecting and enforcing guidelines concerning the healthcare industry. This will focus primarily on nursing and residential care facilities. This is in reaction to how, in 2013, US Hospitals recorded 244, 800 work related injuries and illnesses – at a rate which is almost double the rate for private industry as a whole. 20% of health care and social assistance facilities reported nonfatal occupational injuries, the highest rate amongst all private industries. Due to the nature of the work, there are constant hazards and the average Days Away, Restricted Work Activity and Job Transfer (DART) rates were more than double and close to 3 times that number. This occurred even though most of these facilities had already taken feasible controls to address these hazards.
The National Emphasis Program – Nursing and Residential Care Facilities Report CPL 03-00-016 (NH-NEP) shows that there are 5 primary focus hazards that are prevalent and nursing and care facilities. These hazards are –
- Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) relating to patient or resident handling;
- Workplace violence (WPV)
- Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)
- Tuberculosis (TB), and
- Slips, trips and falls (STFs)
Even though most facilities had taken some precautions, a substantial number of facilities were found to be in violation. OSHA conducted 596 ergonomic stressors in the period between April 5, 2012 and April 5, 2015, of which 192 ergonomic hazard alert letters were issued to employers and 11 citations of OSHA’s general duty clause were sent. This means that almost one out of three ergonomic stressors were found to not be compliant with OSHA regulations.
Employers at healthcare facilities need to move fast before they are next. By knowing how to prepare for and deal with an OSHA inspection, you can ensure compliance and reduced costs, because there will be no fines to pay. The prospect of being cited or issued violation letters in a trust-based industry like healthcare is not very good, and getting the right kind of expert assistance would go a long way in ensuring that any subsequent OSHA inspection proceeds smoothly and without any trouble for you.
So don’t waste any time – be prepared! Get expert assistance on preparing for an OSHA inspection now! This webinar on OSHA regulations for the healthcare industry by expert speaker Nickole Winnett, Esq. will provided you needed guidance on responding to OSHA’s latest inspection process and train your healthcare personnel on managing OSHA inspections – right from the start when OSHA reach the site, in order to curtail potential liabilities and to supervise the requests by OSHA for site inspections, employee interviews, documents etc.
