Introduction:

Occupational health nurses (OHNs) play a key role in injury prevention. OHNs that work in any industry need to understand what hazards their workers may come in contact with. Injury prevention, including understanding ergonomics, are key objectives in the occupational health scope of work.

This module is part of the 19-module OHN Prep Course Package.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply the hierarchy of control to injury prevention.

• Utilize job hazard assessments in the workplace to recognize potential hazards.

• Incorporate knowledge of production processes and associated hazards into program design and evaluation.

• Discuss the concept of ergonomics and apply the principles of ergonomics to workplace design.

• Train employees on proper use of personal protective equipment.

Lecturer:

• Roberta Smith, MSPH, RN, CIC, CIH, COHN-S, has more than 20 years of experience in infection prevention, occupational health, and industrial hygiene. Her background focuses on immunization, infectious diseases, biosafety, and occupational health surveillance. She has experience working within occupational health clinics and assisting a variety of companies to develop workplace policies and procedures to bring them in compliance with OSHA and state-specific requirements.

Major Takeaways:

• OHNs have a role in primary injury prevention in the workplace.

• Understanding the hazards faced by workers assist the OHN in understanding how to work with the safety team to eliminate or reduce these hazards.

• Developing work spaces that accommodate the worker ergonomically can help reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

The University of Colorado College of Nursing is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. A maximum of 1 contact hour is available for this course. For questions about contact hours, please email nursingce@ucdenver.edu.

This course covers topics outlined in the ABOHN Candidate Handbooks for COHN and COHN-S.

Criteria for Successful Completion: You must fully complete this module and all assessment questions, along with the OHN Prep module survey.

Conflicts of Interest: No individuals in a position to control content for this activity has any relevant financial relationships to declare.

Commercial Support: There is no commercial support being received for this event.

Expiration date for Enduring Materials: Origination Date: May 1, 2020 through Expiration Date: May 1, 2022

Joint Providers: This activity is being jointly provided by the University of Colorado College of Nursing Office of Continuing Education, The Center for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health and The Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The Center for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health has partnered with the The Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health to deliver continuing education to occupational health nurses.