In accordance with OSHA's strategy to target
industries with known high injury and illness rates, in July 2002 OSHA
implemented a Nursing and Personal Care Facilities National Emphasis Program
(NH-NEP). The NH-NEP focused primarily on the hazards which are prevalent in
Nursing and Personal Care Facilities and which contribute the most to the
elevated injury and illness rate in this industry. Specifically, these
hazards included ergonomic stressors related to resident handling; slips,
trips, and falls; exposure to bloodborne pathogens; and exposure to
tuberculosis. Additionally, workplace violence was addressed through
outreach, training, and information in an effort to advance awareness of
this issue.
In 2004, enforcement of nursing home facilities will be conducted under the
Site-Specific Targeting (SST) program. It is estimated that OSHA will
inspect approximately 400 long-term care facilities with the highest injury
and illness rates. Nursing and Personal Care Facility inspections conducted
under the SST will focus on the same four areas as the
NH-NEP.
Details on site selection criteria may be found in the SST directive at the
link below.
Total Facilities Inspected
927
Total Facilities Receiving Citations
601
Total Number of Violations
2507
Total Ergonomic Hazard Alert Letters
127
Violation Classifications
Standard
Serious
OTS
Willful/Repeat
Total
Bloodborne Pathogens
755
446
21
1222
Slips, Trips, Falls
39
22
1
62
Ergonomics
8
0
0
8
Tuberculosis
0
0
0
0
* Please note, these numbers reflect the totals only through December 31,
2003. Because not all inspections had been completed and citations issued
as of December 31, 2003, these statistics may change in the future.
Nursing home employers wishing to obtain additional information on
protecting their employees may find additional information at the following
links:
Beverly Settlement Agreement. Disclaimer: Any reference to any private,
commercial product, service or company contained herein is not an
endorsement from the Department of Labor or the Occupational and Safety
Health Administration.
