The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56326

Barbara Silverstein, PhD, Kathleen Rockefeller, and Ninica Howard, MS. SHARP, Department of Labor & Industries, PO Box 44330, Olympia, WA 98504-4330, 360 902 5668, cmonforton@yahoo.com

For years, Nursing Homes have had high claims rates for back and shoulder WMSDs. In 1998, L&I partnered with the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) and Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging (WAHSA) to address these issues. SHARP received NIOSH funding to evaluate the effects of the zerolift initiative on reducing lifting hazards and workers compensation claims rates. Four industrywide surveys were conducted between 1998-2002 to assess the degree to which zerolift environments had been implemented in Washington State. Additionally workers compensation claims rates were tracked from 1995-2001.

Briefly, a zerolift environment hasat least 5 basic components: ·Enough of the right kind of lifting and moving equipment for the resident population ·Training for all nursing staff in proper use of the equipment ·Policies and procedures in place that expect that that equipment will be used ·Management commitment and employee involvement in implementing and maintaining a zerolift environment ·Injury investigation and medical case management for injured workers

There was a significant increase in new lifting equipment over the study period. Nursing homes rated themselves on the degree to which they had implemented all the components of zerolift demonstrating improvement between 2000 and 2002, showing significant improvement in most areas. Workers compensation claims rates for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, back and upper extremity (NUMB in the chart) decreased significantly over the study period.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify 5 components of zero lift
• Identify common barriers to implementing zero lift

Keywords: Nursing Homes, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Washington Health Care Assn
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.