Workplace safety: OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is a government agency that is responsible for protecting the health and safety of workers across all sectors. OSHA enforces standards and provides education and training necessary to ensure safe working conditions.

In healthcare, OSHA establishes detailed standards and directives, which are aimed at protecting all healthcare professionals, including nursing assistants, from various health hazards, such as infectious diseases.

For example, OSHA established bloodborne and respiratory pathogens standards, which require employers to provide Hepatitis B vaccination to their workers; set standards for procedures, such as use of puncture-resistant containers for disposal of sharps; and require employers to provide personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, masks, and face shields.

OSHA also enforces standards for safe client handling and to protect healthcare providers from work-related injuries, which can occur when lifting, moving, and repositioning clients; assuming awkward postures, like leaning over the bed for a long time; or performing some repetitive tasks.

The most common injuries related to handling clients include sprains and strains, which commonly affect the lower back and the shoulder.

To address this problem, OSHA recommends that the healthcare staff receive training on safe strategies to handle clients. It also encourages the use of assistive devices when moving clients, such as mechanical lifts and wheel chairs.