NCOIL Resolution Supports OSHA Ergonomics Guidelines; Hopes for Reduction in Workers' Compensation Claims
National News • March 3, 2005
A resolution supporting ergonomics guidelines for nursing homes and encouraging such facilities to use alternative mechanical lifting methods was unanimously approved on Thursday by the Workers' ...
Insurance Journal is not responsible for the content of the message below.
Subject: OSHA Ergo rules for Nursing homes
Posted On: March 3, 2005, 4:48 pm CST
Posted By: RRR
Comment:
I wonder if OSHA will get it right this time and not propose regulations which violate every state WC act, like they did in 2000.
There are so many issues in this it is hard to know where to start. At least they are not mandanting a "one size fits all" approach. Ergomonics is a methodology and approach to identify problems and evaluate solutions, not a cookbook receipe fix.
Also, let's not loose sight of what industry is involved here. We are talking about helping real people move about and be cared for, not moving a television or car on a factory assembly line. We must first respect the dignity of the individual. The other industry OSHA has issued guidelines for is the meat packing indusrty. Let's hope that OSHA does not loose sight of the differences in this proposal.
As for incentive programs, be careful what you reward, you will get just that. In this article, the company awards not reporting injuries, so they saw those numbers decline. Did injuries decline or did reporting? Reward employees for making the right decisions and reward them NOW, not at the end of the month or quarter, then you may see some real long term gains in health and safety.
Company management needs to realize that investing in employee education and training, providing front line supervisors with the tools and equipment, and some "empowerment" will go longer in solving these problems than an incentive program. Look at the best 100 companies to work for, they do it right and acheive real results, not short term plan of the year garbage.
Subject: OSHA Ergo rules for Nursing homes
There are so many issues in this it is hard to know where to start. At least they are not mandanting a "one size fits all" approach. Ergomonics is a methodology and approach to identify problems and evaluate solutions, not a cookbook receipe fix.
Also, let's not loose sight of what industry is involved here. We are talking about helping real people move about and be cared for, not moving a television or car on a factory assembly line. We must first respect the dignity of the individual. The other industry OSHA has issued guidelines for is the meat packing indusrty. Let's hope that OSHA does not loose sight of the differences in this proposal.
As for incentive programs, be careful what you reward, you will get just that. In this article, the company awards not reporting injuries, so they saw those numbers decline. Did injuries decline or did reporting? Reward employees for making the right decisions and reward them NOW, not at the end of the month or quarter, then you may see some real long term gains in health and safety.
Company management needs to realize that investing in employee education and training, providing front line supervisors with the tools and equipment, and some "empowerment" will go longer in solving these problems than an incentive program. Look at the best 100 companies to work for, they do it right and acheive real results, not short term plan of the year garbage.