This repeal would allow 16- and 17-year-old workers to operate powered patient lifting devices by themselves, with no assistance from an adult worker. These lifts are used to transfer, reposition patients who cannot lift themselves (out of a bed, chair, or off the floor). This common-sense policy of requiring a young worker to be paired with an adult 18 or older was put into place in 2011, and was based on an analysis conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH concluded that 16- and 17- year-olds cannot safely operate power driven hoists to lift and transfer patients by themselves. Further, NIOSH found that most 16 -and 17- year old youths do not have the ability to properly assess the risks associated with using these power driven lifts, which could endanger their safety and the safety of their patients.
However, with no new data or risk analysis, the Administration, under the guise of expanding employment opportunities for young workers, is proposing to roll back child labor protections. The nursing home industry has the highest rate of injuries and illnesses of any industry in the US, and allowing 16- and 17-year-old nursing assistants to operate mechanical lifts without adult assistance would lead to more painful and potentially debilitating injuries to young nursing home workers, who lack sufficient experience and training to handle the challenging task of transferring residents with complex physical and mental disabilities.
We must fight back! The Administration’s true concern is deregulation and scoring points with big industry, leaving workers, including young vulnerable workers with needed child labor protections. The deadline for comments is November 26, 2018. The DOL and our elected representatives must hear from us – we must urge the DOL to abandon this new proposal, and instead to codify the current enforcement policy that allows a trained 16-17 year-old to use patient lifts when they are assisting a worker 18 or older.
Feel free to add details from your own experiences.
Hello, my name is . I am a constituent of Rep./Sen. . I am calling today about the Department of Labor’s proposed change to Hazardous Occupation Orders #7 (HO7) that would allow healthcare workers under 18 years of age to operate patient lift devices without the assistance of an employee who is at least 18 years of age. This change would put workers AND patients at risk, and I urge Rep./Sen. to tell the Department of Labor not to change the rule. Thank you.
Feel free to add details from your own experiences.
I am very concerned with the proposed revision to Hazardous Occupation Orders #7 (HO7), which would allow healthcare workers under 18 years of age to operate power-driven patient lift devices without the assistance of another employee who is at least 18 years of age.
To properly move, reposition, or transport a patient who is in frail or dependent condition requires the skills of a trained, adult worker who has thoroughly assessed a patient’s current condition, as it can change rapidly. NIOSH’s 2010 review noted that “the physical demands associated with operating…lifting devices are likely to exceed the maximum recommended strength requirements for many 16- and 17-year olds”. Young workers often underestimate their own limits, and may not seek assistance when working in busy healthcare facilities, out of view from more experienced staff. I urge you to reconsider this revision, which would affect both young worker and patient safety protections.