Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release Caution: Information may be out of date.
OPA News Release: [01/15/2002]
Nursing Home Company Settles Case Beverly Adopts Ergonomic
Measures To Reduce Back Injuries
WASHINGTON- Beverly Enterprises, Inc., one of the nations
largest nursing home operators, will adopt specific measures to reduce back
injuries for employees involved in lifting nursing home residents, as part of a
settlement agreement announced today by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. The company has also agreed to establish a training program and
purchase mechanical lift equipment. The settlement applies to all Beverly
Enterprises facilities within federal OSHA jurisdiction.
After years and years of litigation, we are pleased to resolve
this matter and move forward with steps to eliminate hazards and better protect
the employees of Beverly Enterprises, said Labor Secretary Elaine L.
Chao.
The agreement settles citations issued by OSHA to five Pennsylvania
nursing homes following a 15-month investigation that began in May 1991 in
response to complaints that workers were suffering back injuries related to
lifting and transferring residents. The agency found that the companys
injury and illness records revealed numerous musculoskeletal injuries sustained
by nursing assistants that resulted in extensive lost work time and restricted
work duty.
This agreement represents a major commitment to eliminate serious
injuries and provide these employees the needed protection, said OSHA
Administrator John L. Henshaw. The company has agreed to implement these
new changes not only at the Pennsylvania facilities but also at all locations
within federal OSHA jurisdiction.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), District Local 1199P
and Local 668, which represent workers at the Pennsylvania facilities, also
signed the settlement agreement.
Under terms of the settlement agreement, Beverly agreed to withdraw its
contest of the citations and OSHA agreed to withdraw the proposed
penalties.
Beverly Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Ft. Smith, Ark., is one of
the largest nursing home operators in the U.S. The company currently operates
approximately 240 nursing homes that are covered by this settlement. The cited
facilities involved in this agreement are Carpenter Care Center in Tunkhannock,
Pa.; Blue Ridge Haven Convalescent Center (d/b/a West Shore Health and
Rehabilitation Center) in Camp Hill, Pa.; Beverly Manor of Monroeville in
Monroeville, Pa.; Meyersdale Manor in Meyersdale, Pa.; and Richland Manor in
Johnstown, Pa.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
Archived News Release Caution: Information may be out of date.
|