Healthcare – Back Injuries
At your healthcare business, your employees probably spend a lot of time on their feet or performing lifting tasks. For example, workers at a doctor’s office may spend long hours on their feet while attending to patients, or a worker at a hospice facility might help terminally-ill patients get out of bed or perform basic tasks. If they frequently perform activities that involve frequent standing and lifting, your healthcare industry employees may be at an increased risk of back and neck injuries.
The Most Common Back and Neck Injuries
In the healthcare industry, workers can experience a wide range of back and neck injuries. Some of the most commonly seen injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Fractured vertebra
- Muscle spasms
- Nerve compression
- Degenerative disc disease
- Repetitive motion injuries
Some of these injuries, like strains or muscle spasms, may heal with minimal rest or treatment. Others, like a fractured vertebra or a herniated disc, can be more serious. In some cases, back and neck injuries can lead to life-long pain, which can affect a healthcare employee’s ability to work and perform other activities.
Preventing Back Injuries in the Healthcare Industry
Luckily, back and neck injuries can be prevented through proper workplace safety procedures. To prevent back and neck injuries at your healthcare industry business, follow these steps.
- Educate on proper lifting techniques: Since many back injuries occur due to lifting or moving patients, equipment, or other heavy objects, make sure your healthcare workers are trained on proper lifting techniques.
- Use assistive equipment: When applicable, implement assistive equipment like lifts, hoists, and slings your workers can use to move or transport patients. This reduces the risk of injuries, both for workers and patients.
- Think about ergonomics: Pay attention to the areas where your employees frequently work and consider any necessary ergonomic adjustments to minimize awkward positions and other common causes of back and neck injuries.
- Implement regular safety training: By having regular, frequently updated safety training, you can ensure all your employees are familiar with proper back and neck injury prevention.
- Have a strong injury reporting system: If your healthcare workplace has an accessible system for reporting discomfort and injuries, you can promptly take the steps to address risks and prevent back injuries before they occur or worsen.
Finding Additional Support
If you need additional support at your healthcare industry business, we can help! At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we understand the unique risks and needs of the healthcare industry, and offer assistance on tasks like:
- Finding and securing comprehensive Workers’ Compensation coverage
- Risk management
- Loss control
- Payroll processing
- Human resources
Our team will work closely with you to ensure that you have the coverage and support you need to protect your employees and your business at your healthcare industry business. To learn more about our services and how we can help your business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
