NCCI Safe Lifting Program at Care Facilities

Safe lifting programs at long term care facilities and their impact on workers compensation costs.

Introduction

The aging US population contributes in a variety of ways to workers compensation costs. For one, the workers compensation costs associated with an older workforce differ in structure and magnitude from those of a younger workforce—NCCI has analyzed these cost implications in earlier studies.1

Previous research by NCCI has indicated that long-term care facilities have injury rates that are materially greater than average, and that back injuries are a major contributor to workers compensation claims. An aging population also increases employment in industries and occupations that provide services to the elderly. A prominent example is the growth in long-term care facilities. 2 To a large degree, these injuries are incurred by workers while lifting and…