Poor control of heavy lifting in healthcare

According to a new report, one in three private employers in healthcare neglects to assess the risks of strain injuries when the staff lifts heavily.

– No one should have to get sick or injured from their job. Says Erna Zelmin, Director General of the Swedish Work Environment Agency.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority has recently carried out inspections of 1,300 private workplaces in health and social care. It concerns nursing homes, home care, care centers and specialist medical practices throughout Sweden.

– It is a bit sad that it looks like this. Even if you don’t die from stress injuries, it’s about personnel who get hurt, says Erna Zelmin, director general at the authority.

Careless with risk assessments

It is about when staff lift or move patients or users incorrectly. During the inspections, the Swedish Work Environment Agency found that the employers do not carry out risk assessments as they should, nor do they work preventively to avoid injuries and wear and tear among the staff

By law, the employer is obliged to reduce the risks of strain injuries through risk assessments and by informing employees about, for example, aids and good working postures.

Worst in inpatient care

Most comments were made in inpatient care, where the patient is in a ward. Deficiencies are pointed out in around half of the inspected workplaces. Of the homes that were inspected, 24 percent receive a remark and among receptions, it is 30 percent.

– It’s not really nuclear physics and I think you often know what you should do, but that stress or tight spaces lead to you not picking up a certain aid. But it is a risk for both staff and patients and users, and the employer needs to work with the conditions, says Erna Zelin.

Both men and women suffer from strain injuries, but women are, according to the report, overrepresented.

Facts

Heavy lifting

Read more