Safety and Health Topics: Nursing Homes and Personal Care Facilities

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Occupational Safety & Health Administration
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	Nursing Homes and Personal Care Facilities

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Nursing homes and personal care facilities have one of the highest rates of injury and illness among industries for which nationwide lost workday injury and illness (LWDII) rates were calculated for Calendar Year 2002. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2002 (Industry Injury and Illness Summary Tables, page 12), [53 KB PDF^*, 13 pages], nursing and personal care facilities (employers within SIC codes 8051, 8052, and 8059) experienced an average LWDII rate of 7.6, despite the availability of feasible controls which have been identified to address hazards within this industry. This is more than double the LWDII rate of 2.8 for private industry as a whole.

The following questions link to information relevant to nursing homes and personal care facilities.

What OSHA standards apply?
Standards | Federal Registers | Directives | Standard Interpretations | More

What are some common health hazards and possible solutions in this industry?
General | Bloodborne Pathogens/Needlesticks | More

What are some examples of successful safety and health programs?
General Safety and Health Program Resources

What additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training | Other Resources

In Focus

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Compliance Assistance Quick Start. OSHA. By following this step-by-step guide, you can identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that may apply to your workplace. Small and new businesses may find Quick Start helpful as an introduction to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA's website.
- Health Care Industry. This module applies to employers and employees in the health care field.
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers. OSHA Publication 3328-05, (2007). Also available as a 409 KB PDF, 104 pages.
Safety and Health Topics: Ergonomics: Guidelines for Nursing Homes. OSHA. Provides new guidelines for nursing homes.
- Ergonomics Guidelines for Nursing Homes. Provides an online video webcast presentation.
Site-Specific Targeting 2008 (SST-08). OSHA Directive 08-03 (CPL 02), (2008, May 19). Implements OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting 2008 (SST-08) inspection plan, and replaces the May 14, 2007 Notice that implemented OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting 2007 (SST-07) inspection plan. This program does not include construction worksites.

eTools

Nursing Home. OSHA. Focuses on recognizing and controlling common healthcare hazards associated with working in nursing homes and other health care facilities.

^*These files are provided for downloading.

Safety and
Health Topics

Nursing Homes and Personal Care Facilities

OSHA Standards

Hazards and Solutions

Safety and Health Program Elements

Additional
Information

Credits

Content Reviewed 02/22/2005

Accessibility Assistance

Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

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