N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43E-12.12

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 8:43E-12.12 - Training program

(a) A covered facility, under the direction of the safe patient handling committee, shall:

1. Ensure that the training required by this section shall be based on researched and proven approaches for performing safe patient handling;

2. Ensure that the patient handling training for a health care worker required by this section is conducted prior to any use of the safe patient handling equipment by the healthcare worker, and at least annually thereafter;

3. Provide that training shall be at least two hours in duration and shall be held during paid work time;

4. Provide appropriate interim training for health care workers beginning work between annual training sessions; and

5. Provide refresher training, as needed.

(b) A covered facility shall require all health care workers responsible for patient handling to participate in the annual safe patient handling training.

1. Training shall be mandated for supervisors, all equipment users, members of the safe patient handling committee and all departments and staff that are engaged in patient handling activities.

(c) A covered facility shall provide patient handling training in a manner and language that employees can understand.

1. If a language other than English is the exclusive language spoken by at least 10 percent of a facility's health care workers, the training shall be conducted in that language and handouts shall be made available in that language.

(d) Training shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. An explanation of the covered facility's safe patient handling policies and practices;

2. Causes and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders;

3. How to recognize and address early indications of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders before serious injury develops;

4. Identification, assessment and control of patient handling risks, including use of assessments of patient need for assisted patient handling and appropriate communication with patients;

5. A demonstration of safe, appropriate and effective use of patient handling equipment;

6. Trainee participation in operating unit-specific patient handling equipment and demonstration that they are proficient in using such equipment for patients with a range of physical limitations;

7. The facility's procedures for reporting work-related injuries and illnesses pursuant to the New Jersey Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health Act, as required by 34:6A-40, or OSHA's injury and illness recording and reporting requirements at 29 CFR Part 1904; and

8. Explanation, demonstration and practice of researched and proven methods and techniques that one or more health care workers may use for patient handling of a patient who refuses assisted patient handling.

(e) The safe patient handling committee shall, at least once a year, or more frequently as needed, review the training content and methods and make necessary revisions.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43E-12.12