OSHA Statistics Reveal Some Disturbing Facts

Health care workers at nursing homes who spend hours bending over, lifting and twisting are among the most often injured workers in the country, according to data complied and released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The federal agency responsible for workplace safety, OSHA has sent out notices to more than 13,000 employers in the United States, saying that their injury rates are more than twice the national average. OSHA has established a baseline of three injuries per 100 workers.

Using Ohio as an example of what is happening nationwide, the state received 1,218 notices. Of those, 331 or 27 percent were nursing home facilities. The next largest group – plastics - affected 60 companies.

OSHA urged those who received notices to seek improved training courses, offering a one-year exemption from routine safety inspections. According to reports, however, only three facilities made voluntary changes.

There are several factors leading to the unacceptable rate of injuries in health care. The Bush administration’s reduction of workplace standards, insufficient training, short-staffing and the lack of proper lifting equipment all lead to increased injuries. There also appears to be little consequence against proven violators.

"The inadequate guidelines issued by the U.S. Dept of Labor fall far short of the urgently needed protections that workers deserve," said Holly Celaschi, a Registered Nurse working with the USW’s Health Care Workers Council.

"The current guidelines are voluntary and non-specific and many employers can and will simply ignore them until significant OSHA enforcement changes are made."

The USW seeks to reduce workplace injuries through its proven safety programs and policies. Your union is also working with local, state and federal legislators to advance laws that will protect workers.