New Program Targeting Work Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere in Nursing/Healthcare Industry

Workers across the nation who work in the nursing and healthcare field are getting some help from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to help to reduce the risks of work-related injuries in Boston and elsewhere.

OSHA recent announced the launch of its new National Emphasis Program (NAP) for these workers. The new program is going to help make sure that more inspections are conducted in these workplaces and that outreach programs are provided for safer work environments for a three-year period. Outreach programs will be used to help get all workers and employers on the same page and with safety as a top priority. This particular industry was chosen by OSHA officials because of the alarmingly high rate for work-related accidents and injuries.
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According to 2010 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the residential care and nursing industry had some of the highest injury rates and rates of days away from work. These rates are a direct result of on the job injuries and illnesses. The rates in this industry were more than 2 times higher than the rates of all private industry as a whole. This is alarming considering all of the controls available to address hazards in this industry. That’s why OSHAs stepping in, to help these workers to use their available resources and to help make workplaces safer for everyone involved.

Our Boston workers’ compensation attorneys understand that a large majority of the injuries and illnesses that were experienced in this industry were a result of slip, fall, trip and overexertion type accidents. When you combine these kinds of accidents, they accounted for nearly 65 percent of the cases in which employees were hurt so bad that they had to take time away from work in 2010.

Throughout this NEP safety program, officials with OSHA will be going after facilities around the country that had high rates for days-away-from-work. Officials will be targeting facilities with a days-away-from-work rate of 10 or higher per 100 full-time employees.

According to Dr. David Michaels, it’s important to remember that it’s these workers who spend day after day looking after us and our loved ones when we need help. There’s no reason that these workers should face such high injury risks.

Common Hazards Associated with the Nursing and Residential Care Industry:

-Dangers associated with exposure to blood.

-Risks associated with the exposure to dangerous materials.

-Exposure to dangerous diseases, like tuberculosis and others.

-Various ergonomic stressors related to moving patients.

-Slips, trips and falls.

-Workplace violence.

-Exposure to dangerous drugs and chemicals.

If you, someone you work with or a family member has been injured on the job or is dealing with a disability claim, contact the Boston workers’ compensation attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers. We are a firm that is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers in Boston, Quincy, Foxborough and elsewhere throughout the state of Massachusetts. Call today to schedule a free and confidential appointment at (617) 777-7777.

More Blog Entries
:

Work Accidents in Massachusetts and Elsewhere a Top Concern for OSHA and ASSE, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, April 6, 2012

Chemical-Related Work Accidents in Fitchburg and Elsewhere Minimized with Revised Standard, Massachusetts Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog, March 30, 2012

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