NURSES: DOES YOUR WORKING SHIFT MATTER?  MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES, SHIFT CHOICE AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Nurses are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WMSD.)  A study addressed whether a Nurse’s Work Shift impacted WMSDs.

This article will discuss Nursing, Nursing Shifts, and how particular Shift Work may impact industrial injuries.

What Are Nursing Duties? What Makes Nurse at Risk for Injury?

Nursing Duties are physically demanding.  Patient care can require individuals to work in awkward positions and deal with individuals whose weight can shift at any moment.

“WMSDs(work-related musculoskeletal disorders) in nurses are mainly caused by shifting patients (which includes helping patients turn over or get in and out of bed), routine treatments in nursing, poorly designed work environments, and remaining active for prolonged periods of time.4 The physiological loads created by these nursing activities are all risk factors of WMSDs in nurses.” Chang WP, Peng YX. Differences between fixed day shift nurses and rotating and irregular shift nurses in work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A literature review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health. 2021 Jan;63(1):e12208. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12208. PMID: 33682989; PMCID: PMC7938703.

Likewise, “cllinical nurses must deal with daily routine work in busy wards, patient care and treatment, and correspondence for various matters. Their jobs are time‐consuming, complicated, and full of stress, and they are often on tight schedules, all of which are associated with WMSDs.” Supra.

What Musculoskeletal Body Parts Do Nurses Injure?

Nurses are susceptible to injury for every body part imaginable.   This includes the neck, shoulders and back.

Nurses are prone to WMSDs in the lower back, shoulders, neck, back wrists, knees, and ankles. Supra.

What are Shifts?

Hospitals and other medical facilities provide 24 hours a day service for 7 days a week.  Thus, the facilities have various work shifts.  Some facilities may have 8-hour shifts, some 10-hour shifts, and others 12-hour shifts.    

What Shifts are There?

Within an 8-hour format, there is generally a morning shift, an evening shift, and an overnight shift.

How Do Nurses’ Shifts Vary?

Nurses can have regular fixed shifts.   Also, there are Nurses who have rotating or irregular shifts.

What was the Study About?

The study focused on Nurses who worked rotating and irregular shifts. The theory of the study was that “working rotating and irregular shifts, which causes the physiological burden of disrupted circadian rhythms in the body, may also exacerbate muscle tension and pain.” Differences between fixed day shift nurses and rotating and irregular shift nurses in work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A literature review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health. 2021 Jan;63(1):e12208. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12208. PMID: 33682989; PMCID: PMC7938703.

What Were the Results?

The study “indicated that RS (rotating shifts) + IS (irregular shifts) nurses are more likely to experience back pain associated with WMSD than are FDS (fixed day shift) nurses.”  Differences between fixed day shift nurses and rotating and irregular shift nurses in work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A literature review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health. 2021 Jan;63(1):e12208. doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12208. PMID: 33682989; PMCID: PMC7938703.

In sum, Nurses working irregular shift are more likely to experience musculoskeletal disorders.

As a Lawyer, Are There Any Reasons That May Cause the Higher Rate?

In my opinion, irregular shifts can include irregular routines.  Nurses who have regular shifts may have better understanding of their shift’s physical requirements.   Also, they may be more familiar with their surroundings.   Thus, they are able to take better precaution to prevent injury.

What If I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for over 28 years. Contact us today for more information.

JANITORS AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A large part of the labor market is the occupation of Professional Cleaners.  They are also referred to as Commercial Janitors.  The Janitorial Occupation is susceptible for a variety of work injuries and occupational illnesses. Janitorial work presents unique risks for work injuries for those within the field.

This article will discuss Janitors, Janitorial Tasks, Industrial injuries and Occupational Illnesses that are prevalent within the Occupation, and the barriers that Janitors have with respect to filing claims.

What are Janitors?

Janitors perform a variety of maintenance tasks a variety of facilities. They use a multitude of tools and chemicals to perform their jobs.  They can engage in a large variety of repetitive physical tasks, ie. sweeping or mopping.

Janitors can work at institutions such as schools, hospitals, parks, and prisons.

Janitors can work in commercial buildings such as shopping malls, and they can work in residential properties.

What Are Janitor’s Risks of Industrial Injury?

Each type of facility can present unique risks of work injury for Janitors.

For example, hospitals and medical facilities can have significant amounts of potentially infectious biological material present.  Schools can have issues relating to mold exposure.

Further, the physical activities of being a Janitor may cause work injury.

What Types of Injuries Do Janitors Sustain?

There are a variety of work-related orthopedic injuries. These injuries relate, in part, due to the fact that “Janitorial work is repetitive and requires bending, twisting, and other motions that can lead to or exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis” Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

Also, Janitors may sustain respiratory injuries relating to the cleaning chemicals that they use.  Further, they may sustain dermatological injuries due to wet work.

What Are the Injury Rates for Janitors?

In a Washington State Study, it was noted that “[t]he prevalence of self-reported work-related injuries in the past year was higher than that of all others …. Analyses of WC data indicate that work-related injury risk may be higher for the industry group containing Janitors than other industries2 overall and in several injury types, with women at particularly high risk.” Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

Thus, the workers’ compensation industry both has a concern over janitorial injuries as well as an understanding that work injuries are common.  Thus, Risk Management handling Janitorial claims will work hard to manage these claims.  This can be done with respect to reporting requirements.  It can also be done with respect to return to work issues which can include modified work.

Do Janitors Have Emotional Issues?

Yes. Janitors, in the study, reported “being diagnosed with a depressive disorder ..significantly higher and has been reported previously.    Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

While this finding did not address work-relatedness, it is possible that the depressive disorder may be in party work-related in nature and give rise to a workers’ compensation claim.

Can Shift Work Impact Janitors?

Yes. Shiftwork has been connected to various medical conditions.

Shiftwork can cause issues of inadequate sleep.  Inadequate sleep can lead to other health issues.

Do Janitors Have Barriers in Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims?

Yes. There is some concern as to whether all janitor work injury claims are filed.  As noted in the study, “[l]ow-wage, immigrant, and/or Hispanic worker populations, including many Janitors, may also not be aware of the WC system (or how to navigate the system, if they lack internet access) or of their right to seek medical care for an occupational injury or illness. Janitors may also face barriers to reporting an injury to their employer, such as fear of consequences.    Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as an Occupational Health Profile Washington State Janitors, 2011 to 2017 Anderson, Naomi J. MPH; Marcum, Jennifer L. DrPH Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: September 2019 – Volume 61 – Issue 9 – p 747-753 doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001652

If a Janitor is concerned about their employment situation if they claim a work injury, it is important for them to seek legal counsel to discuss their concerns to make a determination as to whether they should file the claim.

What if I Need Advice?

If you would like a free consultation regarding workers’ compensation, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. We have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their workers’ compensation cases for 27 years. Contact us today for more information.

OIL REFINERY WORKERS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE:  REFINERY WORKERS, HEART DISEASE AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Oil Refinery Work is unique. Workers at refineries have responsibilities that may place them at risk for cardiovascular disease.  If refinery job responsibilities impact a worker’s cardiovascular health, this industrially caused or aggravated cardiovascular condition is the basis for a workers’ compensation claim. A valid workers’ compensation claim would entitle the Injured Worker to receive medical treatment, compensation in the form of temporary and permanent disability benefits and vocational rehabilitation benefits.

A recent study was conducted with respect to health issues for Refinery Workers. The findings of the study examined the refinery workers’ shifts. See  Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476

What is Shift Work?

Shift Work is a term that is used for the set hours that employees work. “Shift work is work that takes place on a schedule outside the traditional 9 am – 5 pm day. It can involve evening or night shifts, early morning shifts, and rotating shifts. Many industries rely heavily on shift work, and millions of people work in jobs that require shift schedules.” https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/what-shift-work

With respect to refineries, there are number of these facilities that require shift work.

Are There Health Risks With Shift Work?

“Several studies sought to identify such factors in different groups of people10,18,19,20,21, and shiftwork was found to contribute to serious physical, mental and/or social problems.” Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476.

“Shift work can also affect workers’ quality and length of life by making them more prone to various disorders, including cardiovascular disease.” https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/what-shift-work

What are Cardiovascular System Diseases?

The Cardiovascular System Diseases many medical conditions. These include acute myocardial infarction, angina, arrythmias, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and valvular heart disease.

Note: Not all cardiovascular disease may have an industrial contribution.  Medical Analysis and Medical Expert Witness Opinion is required to make such a determination.

What Was the Shift Work That Was Subject to the Study?

In the study, “[e]mployees with fixed schedule work Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 16:30, being off duty on weekends and holidays to a total of 40 hours/week. Shiftwork was implemented to ensure uninterrupted operation, through five rotational teams under three 8-hour shifts – 7:00 to 15:00, 15:00 to 23:00 and 23:00 to 7:00 – all seven days of the week, including holidays, with rest between shifts, to a total working time of 32 hours/week. These workers receive additional pay. The work/rest schedule was approved by the corresponding trade union and complies with the labor laws in force.” Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476

What Were the Findings of This Study?

The study found that

“[t]he highest odds of hypertension and high LDL corresponded to men above 40 and shift workers.

The highest odds of diabetes were exhibited by workers above 40 and those with fixed work schedule independently from sex. Risk of CVD was moderate, despite young age, high educational level and available resources at the company.

The results further indicated a high rate of employees exposed to three or more risk factors, whence one may infer a need for multiple interventions. Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476

Thus we found higher prevalence of hypertension and high LDL among shift workers compared to employees with fixed work schedule. Carvalho FC, Godinho MR, Ferreira AP. Cardiovascular risk factors among oil refinery workers: ecological study. Rev Bras Med Trab. 2020;18(1):11-19. Published 2020 Aug 4. doi:10.5327/Z1679443520200476 [emphasis added]

I am a Refinery Worker, What Does This Mean?

Performing shift work may have an impact on your cardiovascular health. If you work at a refinery, perform shift work, and are having cardiovascular system issues, it may be in your interest to consider whether it is in your interest to pursue a workers’ compensation claim.

What If I Need Advice? 

If you would like a free consultation concerning any workers’ compensation case, please contact the Law Offices of Edward J. Singer, a Professional Law Corporation. They have been helping people in Central and Southern California deal with their worker’s compensation cases for 28 years. Contact us today for more information.

 

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