AAOHN COMMENTS ON OSHA’S DRAFT ERGONOMICS GUIDELINES FOR POULTRY PROCESSING PLANTS

ATLANTA — The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) submitted comments this week to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about the agency’s proposed ergonomics guidelines for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for poultry processing. AAOHN’s comments reflect the association’s stance that guidelines be based on three principles: prevention, clarity and employer incentive.

"Because MSDs are common in the poultry processing industry, AAOHN is pleased with OSHA’s effort to provide practical recommendations to help employers and employees reduce the severity of this problem, and contribute to healthier, safer workplaces," said AAOHN President Susan A. Randolph.

AAOHN’s comments included suggestions for OSHA to assist employers in the reporting, assessment, treatment and follow up of ergonomics disorders by:

• Encouraging employees to report problems without fear of reprisal so that the disorder may be addressed prior to a disabling condition occurring.
• Recognizing transitional or modified work as one of the more effective forms of treatment that, in many cases, allows the specific body part time to rest without taking the employee off the job for a period of time.
• Reinforcing effective healthcare management practices such as adequate staffing and appropriate facilities.
• Using the hierarchy of controls for hazard management, start with engineering controls first, followed by administrative/work practices, then as a last resort, personal protective equipment.

In addition, AAOHN recommended that OSHA change the term "health care provider" to licensed health care provider to ensure that only qualified health care professionals administer evaluation and treatment of MSDs.

The complete comments can be found by clicking here. OSHA’s draft guidelines can be downloaded from the OSHA Web site via www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/poultryprocessing/index.html.

Established in 1942, AAOHN is a 10,000 member professional association dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for occupational and environmental health nurses. These professionals are the largest group of health care providers serving the worksite.

# # #