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Monthly Archives: February 2014
Slip and Fall injuries 5 times higher for older healthcare workers-STUDY
Slip-and-Fall Injuries 5 Times Higher for Older Healthcare Workers than Young Ones
New research is the first to directly examine how patterns of aging and occupational injury risk for the national healthcare workforce compare with trends across all industries.
The answer to this dilemma is Nano-Grip. Nano-Grip creates a slip resistant surface which protects older workers, and young ones as well, from the dangers of wet slippery floors. One invisible Nano-Grip treatment will protect workers by creating a slip resistant walking surface for at least two years. The Nano-Grip process is not a coating which can wear off but a treatment which changes the mineral surface of the floor on a microscopic scale rendering it “safer wet than dry”. Nano-Grip is installed by factory certified applicators who can measure and document the coefficient of friction (slipperiness) of a facilities floors and then bring them into compliance with industry and government standards. For a free evaluation of the walking surfaces in your facility call 855-687-0976.
Ken Scott, MPH, and Lee Newman, MD, MA, FCCP, FACOEM – members of the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP) – are the first to publish research about the impact of aging on the types and severity of injuries experienced by healthcare workers in the United States. “The Aging Healthcare Workforce: Employment and Occupational Injuries Among Workers in US Private Hospitals During 2010” was published in the Fall 2013 AOHP Journal.
“The healthcare workforce is aging, but occupational health professionals who work in healthcare are ill-prepared to protect this aging workforce,” Newman explains. “There haven’t been many studies that have examined the relationships between age and occupational injury risks among healthcare workers.”
The newly published study demonstrates that as healthcare workers age, their risks for work-related injuries change significantly.
“We know from other studies that patterns of occupational injuries and illnesses can change over employees’ working lives,” notes Scott. “We wanted to see whether hospitals in the United States experienced the same patterns that have been observed in other sectors of the economy. Understanding the patterns of occupational injuries will help us prepare for the demographic shift that’s already underway in healthcare.”
As more and more healthcare workers delay retirement at 65, he adds, employers will need to adjust their programs, policies and practices to optimize the effectiveness of both older and younger workers.
The study analyzes patterns of age-related occupational injuries using data from the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and the Current Population Survey. It provides useful benchmarks against which organizations can compare the age distributions of their own workforces.
“Our analyses suggest that the injury patterns are different for younger and older workers,” says Scott.
For example, workers between 18 and 19 years of age are the most likely age group to be injured on the job because of contact with objects or equipment. The same is true for overexertion injuries
“On the other hand,” he adds, “injuries due to slips, trips and falls become more frequent as employees age. The risk of a slip, trip and fall injury was about five times higher among workers 65+ than workers age 18-19.”
Patterns of Injuries
The differences in the patterns of injuries probably can be explained by a few things, according to Newman. As workers age, their physical abilities change. Reaction time, balance and strength are among some of the physical characteristics that change over time.
However, “the physical demands of the jobs that workers do changes with age, too.,” he adds. “Older workers are more likely to be in supervisory roles rather than physically demanding ones, for example, so their exposures are different. Also, we know from other research that on-the-job experience plays a role in reducing injury risk.”
Because young workers often also are new workers, inexperience may explain some of the higher injury rates among younger employees.
“Regardless, the degree to which an aging workforce impacts an employer’s bottom line is going to be influenced by many factors,” says Newman. “Considering that nearly 18 percent of the private U.S. hospital workforce is within 10 years of turning 65, healthcare organizations would be well-advised to analyze their workforce demographics – as well as safety and wellness practices, programs and policies – that may keep older hospital workers healthy, safe and productive on the job.”
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Who We Are:
We are a distribution/service company with over 20 years experience providing anti-slip and anti-microbial protection solutions for Healthcare, Hospitality, Residential and Corporate Markets nationwide and internationally.
Mission Statement:
Nano-Concepts utilizes the latest science, materials, research, and techniques, to protect the public from threats posed by unsafe surfaces.
We will continue to develop, market, and install protective technology through our international network of partners. We will make unsafe floors slip resistant and protect all surfaces from damage by bacteria, mold, algae and other microbiological threats.
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Avoiding ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Lawsuits- they are on the rise.
There has been a rise in the number of ADA accessibility lawsuits filed against businesses and facilities for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) over the last few years. These lawsuits have the potential to cost defendants $5,000 or more per complaint. The best defense against ADA lawsuits is to begin the process of removing accessibility barriers. Barriers are aspects of the built environment which lessen a disabled person’s access. The removal process starts by assessing what needs to be done and then putting in place plans, procedures and policies to guide implementation. Nano-Grip brings the slip resistance of facilities floors into compliance with all federal guidelines. Compliance with standards eliminates the possibility of lawsuits due to noncompliance.
Here are four proactive steps to become an unappealing target:
1. Know how you’re doing
2. Develop a written implementation plan
3. Execute against the plan
4. Let the law be your guide
1. Know how you’re doing
The first step is to understand the basics of the ADA. Title III of the ADA addresses public accommodations and commercial buildings. This section prohibits discrimination based on disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases or operates a place of public accommodation.
One of the most important things to understand is that the ADA is a civil rights law, not a building code. The enforcement of the ADA is not overseen by local building code officials. The ADA is enforced when discrimination is alleged through private suit or by certain federal agencies, such as the Department of Justice. Therefore, just because plans are approved by building inspectors or other officials does not mean the building will be ADA compliant.
To truly know how you are doing, you should consult with a professional for specific details related to your business. They can perform an accessibility audit on the facility. The audit should include the exterior and interior. The exterior audit of the property should include the path of travel from the street, parking and public transportation. The interior audit should include all areas accessed by visitors, customers and vendors.
2. Develop a written implementation plan
The data collected from the audit will then be used to create an access plan to remove barriers within your time frame. Yes, I said within your time frame. That’s the good news. Enforcement of the ADA Standards does not insist on complete and immediate compliance. On the other hand doing nothing or taking half-hearted, slipshod measures are an invitation to lawsuits and substantial penalties, damages, and costs. Barrier removal is a continuing obligation, and it’s expected that a business will take steps to improve accessibility over time.
3. Execute against the plan
The Standards require businesses to remove barriers to the extent that it is readily achievable. Many may think the term readily achievable means “to the extent it is convenient for me.” This is simply not so. The 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design defines readily achievable as, “easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.” If it’s not readily achievable to immediately remove a barrier, then the business must remove barriers to the extent that it is readily achievable.
Continuing barrier removal obligations should be incorporated into both short-term and long-term business planning. Property owners and facility managers may consider incorporating previously identified and deferred barriers into their annual capital planning process. A record of this process should be part of their accessibility compliance plan.
4. Let the law be your guide
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design is more than 250 pages, but there are resources to help make use of this extensive document. A couple of good places to start are the United States Access Board website, http://www.access-board.gov, and the U.S. DOJ ADA website, http://www.ada.gov. The DOJ also offers a toll-free ADA information line for assistance.
ADA compliance is the law, but it’s also good business. Americans with disabilities represent a profitable consumer market. According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are 54 million people with disabilities in the United States. This represents 19 percent of the U.S. population, which is approximately one in five Americans. They engage in $175 billion in discretionary spending each year according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Meeting the needs of the disabled can positively affect a company’s revenue.
In conclusion, knowledge is the key to starting your path to ADA compliance and becoming an unappealing target for ADA lawsuits. Ignorance is not a defense. Begin by educating yourself on the basic requirements of the ADA. Consult with an expert who can give you specific details related to your business and perform accessibility audits of your facilities. Then use the data collected to create a plan to execute over time and in line with your annual capital planning process. These steps could open your facilities up to an untapped market of disabled individuals and give you a defense should any ADA complaints arise.
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nanoconcepts-marketingdiscussion.com
nanoconcepts-rewardprogram.com
nanoconcepts-thepowerofthepenny
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Who We Are:
We are a distribution/service company with over 20 years experience providing anti-slip and anti-microbial protection solutions for Healthcare, Hospitality, Residential and Corporate Markets nationwide and internationally.
Mission Statement:
Nano-Concepts utilizes the latest science, materials, research, and techniques, to protect the public from threats posed by unsafe surfaces.
What does a slip/fall lawsuit cost?
Typical costs:
- A slip-and-fall case with only minor injuries and other expenses could be handled in Small Claims Court, usually without involving lawyers. The maximum amount that can be awarded in Small Claims Court varies from $2,500-$15,000, depending on state law. Small Claims Court filing fees and other costs can run $20-$320 or more, but can be repaid by the defendant if you win the case.
- For a case involving serious injury, most lawyers work on a contingency basis; they don’t get paid until you do, and then they take anywhere from 25-40 percent of the money received. The percentage varies depending on the prevailing rate in your area and whether the case goes to trail or is appealed. If you don’t get any money in a settlement or court judgment, you don’t owe any legal fees. Some lawyers charge a percentage of all money received; others take their percentage after the medical bills are paid.
- Expert witnesses are often key in slip-and-fall cases, and there are also court costs, investigation charges, clerical labor and other expenses. In most states your attorney will pay these as they occur and be reimbursed out of the final settlement/judgment (that’s in addition to the percentage for legal fees). These costs start around $1,000-$4,000 for a simple case but can go much higher, depending on what’s involved. In some states your lawyer is allowed to advance you the cost of your medical care and be reimbursed out of the settlement/judgment. If your medical costs are paid by your health insurance, they would be reimbursed out of the settlement/judgment.
- If someone sues you for a slip-and-fall injury, these claims are usually covered by homeowners or business liability insurance, and the insurance company will provide defense attorneys, negotiate with the claimant, and pay any settlement or court judgment (within the terms of your insurance policy). The National Floor Safety Institute[1] estimates that the average cost to defend against a slip-and-fall lawsuit is $50,000 and the average judgment awarded in cases that go to trial is $100,000.
A Nano-Grip floor safety treatment invisibly increases the floors co-efficient of friction (slip resistance) making it slip resistant and bringing it into compliance with industry and government standards.
nanoconcepts-businessownership.com
nanoconcepts-marketingdiscussion.com
nanoconcepts-rewardprogram.com
nanoconcepts-thepowerofthepenny
nanoconcepts-thefoundationofthemultiple.com
Who We Are:
We are a distribution/service company with over 20 years experience providing anti-slip and anti-microbial protection solutions for Healthcare, Hospitality, Residential and Corporate Markets nationwide and internationally.
Mission Statement:
Nano-Concepts utilizes the latest science, materials, research, and techniques, to protect the public from threats posed by unsafe surfaces.
We will continue to develop, market, and install protective technology through our international network of partners. We will make unsafe floors slip resistant and protect all surfaces from damage by bacteria, mold, algae and other microbiological threats.
nanoconcepts,nano-concepts,nano-grip,nangrip,nano-clean,nanoclean,nano-shield,nanoshield,chemical technology,slip proof,slip protection,anti slip,floor safety,no slip,antimicrobial,germ protection,mold protection,antibacterial,microbiological threat, acoustical ceiling,ceiling cleaning,wall cleaning,clean ceiling,ceiling restoration,nfsi,national floor safety
Workplace Safety and Nano-Grip
Survey: Workplace Safety Is Top of Mind for Many Small Businesses
In the survey of 502 small-business owners, 35 percent of the respondents indicated that they are more concerned about workplace safety than any other major business risk.
- Protecting workers is a top concern for small businesses, according to a survey commissioned by the insurance group Employers Holdings Inc.
- In the survey of 502 small-business owners, 35 percent of the respondents indicated that they are more concerned about workplace safety than any other major business risk.
Protecting workers is a top concern for small businesses, according to a survey commissioned by the insurance group Employers Holdings Inc.
In the survey of 502 small-business owners, 35 percent of the respondents indicated that they are more concerned about workplace safety than any other major business risk. Workplace safety was the No. 1 answer, followed by professional liability (26 percent) and cyber security (25 percent).
When asked to identify the area in which they plan to dedicate most of their attention this year, 35 percent of the respondents pointed to workplace safety, making it the No. 1 answer for that question as well.
“Small-business owners realize they have to protect their most valuable assets: their employees,” Employers COO Stephen Festa said. “Employee injuries can carry a significant cost, not only in terms of medical and workers’ compensation expenses, but also in terms of lost productivity and potentially lower workplace morale.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips and falls account for nearly one-fourth of all nonfatal workplace injuries that occur in the private sector. When asked to identify the workplace hazard for which they are most prepared, 21 percent of small-business pointed to slips, trips and falls, making it the No. 1 answer for that question.
Other common causes of workplace injuries that small-business owners said they are prepared to handle include motor vehicle accidents (12 percent) and employees coming into harmful contact with objects and equipment (12 percent).
“We wanted to see how prepared small-business owners believe they are for the types of injuries that are most common in the workplace, or if they were placing too much emphasis on events that are unlikely to occur,” Festa said. “We were relieved to find that the most common type of injuries – slips, trips and falls – was cited most often. However, we were surprised that almost four out of five small business owners did not claim to be most prepared for them.”
Nano-Grip provides the low cost answer for unsafe walking surfaces. We protect people and guarantee compliance with government and industry standards for safe walking surfaces.
Who We Are:
We are a distribution/service company with over 20 years experience providing anti-slip and anti-microbial protection solutions for Healthcare, Hospitality, Residential and Corporate Markets nationwide and internationally.
Mission Statement:
Nano-Concepts utilizes the latest science, materials, research, and techniques, to protect the public from threats posed by unsafe surfaces.
We will continue to develop, market, and install protective technology through our international network of partners. We will make unsafe floors slip resistant and protect all surfaces from damage by bacteria, mold, algae and other microbiological threats.
nanoconcepts,nano-concepts,nano-grip,nangrip,nano-clean,nanoclean,nano-shield,nanoshield,chemical technology,slip proof,slip protection,anti slip,floor safety,no slip,antimicrobial,germ protection,mold protection,antibacterial,microbiological threat, acoustical ceiling,ceiling cleaning,wall cleaning,clean ceiling,ceiling restoration,nfsi,national floor safety
Nano-Grip The Safe Floor Solution 