We also cannot predict the condition and weight of the patients we serve. We can predict, however, that trends such as increasing weight of the patient population, more emphasis on intensive care, and the aging population will have an impact on the number of exertion injuries we see. None of this will ever prevent health care organizations from providing high-quality care in any situation. But, OSHA s proposal will impose drastic costs not reimbursable through the Medicare program, and reflects a lack of understanding about how health care providers truly function. The OSHA General Duty Clause and other regulations provide venues for OSHA to enforce incidents where there is a proven causal relationship between the injury and the work hazard.
Employee safety is a primary concern for hospitals and health care providers.
We take seriously the requirements of the General Duty Clause and will continue to support and follow the directive, as good employers should do. However, because of the lack of scientific evidence to support OSHA s ergonomic standard and the enormous financial impact to health care organizations associated with implementing it, we urge OSHA to withdraw its proposal.