ANA/MNA Praises Release of OSHA
Ergonomics Rules
MNA's Beth Piknick Speaks for Nurses at National Press Conference

On Nov. 22 at a packed press conference held a the Department of Labor in Washington, DC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a proposed Ergonomics Standard. The American Nurses Association has long advocated immediate publication of this standard to protect health care workers from back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.

Beth Piknick, RN, a member of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, spoke at the press conference on behalf of the American Nurses Association. Beth shared her personal experience with a work-related back injury that was devastating, both professionally and personally. After the press conference, several television and print reporters interviewed her about her experience, which included her being featured on a segment on NBC’s Today show on Nov. 23, 1999.

ANA and the MNA strongly supports the publication of this standard. Back injuries affect up to 38% of all nurses. Patient handling, transfer and manual lifting are significant risk factors for back injuries. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says that a 51-pound stable object with handles is the maximum amount anyone should lift. Lifting patients, who often have limited or awkward mobility themselves, far exceeds NIOSH's guideline. ANA recommends that single-person patient lifts without assistive staff or devices be eliminated because of the risk of injury to health care workers. ANA reiterated its position in a letter of support to OSHA Assistant Secretary Jeffress. For more information about the proposed rules, go to http://www.osha.gov.