Physical stresses related to the safe handling of residents.

Abstract

Ergonomics is based on the concept that there are inherent physical/mental capacities of the human body. This article will review various physical stressors as they relate to the capacity of the human body during handling (lifting, transferring, moving, and walking) of residents. When those stressors exceed human capacities, either from a single event or from multiple repeated events, there is an increased potential for errors, accidents, and injuries for both caregivers and residents, and a concomitant decrease in caregiver productivity. Ergonomic job design seeks to minimize those stressors. Fairly simple changes may add up to a significant reduction in ergonomic hazards with an improved resident quality of care and an improved quality of life for employees.