OSHA Launches Sonographer eTool
On October 3, 2008 the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a news release announcing the availability of a new Sonography eTool designed to help sonographers reduce their risk from work-related musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD’s). This work product is the result of a collaborative effort between OSHA and the SDMS, and was produced, in part, as a result of SDMS’s participation as an OSHA Alliance partner. Joan Baker, MSR, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS, who served as the Society’s lead representative on the OSHA/SDMS Alliance, and chaired the Sonography eTool development group, described the Sonography eTool as; “A very comprehensive and robust source of information for helping sonographers reduce their risk of WRMSD”.
Further, Baker states; “The Sonography eTool addresses the responsibilities of both the employer and employee in reducing WRMSD rates in the sonographer population, and states very clearly what are considered to be the acceptable ergonomic and appropriate room and equipment setups for sonographers to perform their work. The availability of the Sonography eTool also makes it possible for sonographers to direct their employers to this government document as a credible and reliable source of information.”
The Sonography eTool is broken out into four major sections:
- Transporting Patients and Equipment
- Positioning Patients and Equipment
- Use and Orientation of Ultrasound Equipment
- Engineering, Administrative and Work Practice Controls
You can access the OSHA Hospital eTool Sonography Module on the OSHA website at http://www.sdms.org/OSHA/etool.asp.
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