Page content
Introduction
The seven umcs in the Netherlands, together with employee organizations, have developed an occupational health and safety catalog. This catalog outlines measures for addressing the main occupational health risks in umcs, including physical strain. The goal is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. The catalog serves as a practical interpretation of the general occupational health regulations set by the government.
Below, starting with ‘The Risk’ you will find the full text of the section on Physical Strain from the occupational health and safety catalog.
The risk
Physical strain refers to all forms of physical exertion encountered in the workplace. A distinction is made between dynamic and static strain. Dynamic strain involves movement and the exertion of force, such as lifting and pushing. Static strain occurs during prolonged postures, such as working in a bent or stooped position.
Certain movements or working postures are considered occupational risks when they are performed frequently, are physically demanding, or are maintained for long periods. In healthcare settings, recognized risks for overexertion include lifting and carrying, pushing and pulling, bending and stooping, squatting and kneeling, reaching, sitting, standing, and walking. This document does not cover static strain of the upper limbs; that is addressed in the RSI section of the occupational health and safety catalog.
When the physical demands of the job regularly exceed an employee’s physical capacity, overexertion occurs. This can lead to musculoskeletal complaints in the short or long term, often manifesting as lower back pain. Musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of reduced work capacity, which can result in absenteeism and even long-term disability.
Target groups
The guidelines and regulations from this health & safety catalogue apply in particular to employees working in:
- in care wards
- in laboratories and facility services
- in medical specialties where physically demanding working postures occur
Legal framework
The basis for the policy and measures in the field of physical strain is described in Chapter 5 of the Working Conditions Decree.
Article 5.2. Preventing hazards
Work shall be organized in such a way, the workplace shall be laid out, production and working methods shall be applied in such a way or aids and personal protective equipment shall be used in such a way that the physical strain cannot endanger the safety and health of the worker.
Article 5.4 Ergonomic design of the workplace
Unless this cannot reasonably be required, workplaces are set up according to ergonomic principles.
Ambition level umcs
The umcs recognize the importance of ergonomic workplace design and source-based interventions. Wherever goods and loads need to be moved, conditions will be arranged according to this principle. However, this approach has limitations in situations involving patient transfers. The (severity of the) medical condition and the urgency of the transfer may result in suboptimal conditions for staff. In such cases, the umcs apply the principle of reasonable practicability.
Within the framework of this principle, umcs ensure the availability of sufficient (lifting) aids and/or adjustments to work processes to reduce or prevent physical strain. In situations where the workplace is suboptimally designed and cannot reasonably be modified, ergonomic principles are explicitly taken into account during renovations or new construction.
Instruction and education ensure that employees are aware of physically demanding moments during their work. Prevention staff, such as ergo coaches, support employees in staying motivated to avoid unnecessary strain during work activities or to reduce physically demanding situations.
With a permanent prevention programme for physical strain, including support from prevention officers, the umcs contribute to safe and healthy working conditions in order to increase the job satisfaction of employees.
The program is part of the Occupational Health and Safety Care in each umc and each umc provides resources and manpower for the program. The Physical Strain network within the NFU is responsible for the necessary substantive maintenance, such as the development of new methods and resources, innovation and evaluation of the physical strain prevention programme, and can provide solicited and unsolicited proposals for improvement. The Physical Strain network consists of occupational health and safety experts from the various umcs.
Measures and resources for umcs
The most important measures and resources to achieve the ambitions and legal target requirements are:
Target rules:
- Limit manual lifting of patients as much as possible and carry them out responsibly.
- All umcs use a standard weight of up to 23 kg (NIOSH standard) for manually lifting goods under optimal conditions.
- To move a load (goods) by pushing or pulling ambidextrously, a maximum of 30 kg (300 N) is permitted. The upper limit for keeping a load moving ambidextrous is 20 kg (200 N). These values must be adjusted downwards when the relevant factors change.
Process Rules:
The physical strain prevention programme is a permanent part of occupational health and safety care in every umc and every umc provides resources and manpower for the programme. The following phases and steps can be distinguished when implementing the programme in a department: preparation (including inventory and plan of action), implementation, aftercare, assurance and evaluation.
Drug regulations:
All umcs apply the practice guidelines when organizing work.