Every day, healthcare workers lift, transfer, and reposition patients—often without a second thought. But behind these everyday tasks lies a hidden crisis: manual patient handling is one of the top causes of occupational injuries in healthcare, leading to chronic pain, missed workdays, and long-term disability. According to , nurses and nursing assistants suffer musculoskeletal injuries at rates significantly higher than workers in construction or manufacturing.

“Patient handling isn’t just a physical task—it’s a safety moment, every time,” says Ed Sowers, Risk Management Service Specialist at 91şÚÁĎÍř.

What’s more troubling? Many of these injuries are preventable—but persistent myths and outdated practices continue to put caregivers at risk.

More Than Lifting

One common misconception is that lifting is the sole hazard in patient handling. In reality, horizontal movements—like sliding a patient from a bed to a stretcher or repositioning them in bed—are equally, if not more, dangerous. These movements often involve awkward postures, repetitive strain, and high physical exertion, all of which contribute to cumulative trauma injuries.

According to the , these high-risk activities place stress on the spine and shoulders, especially when performed without proper assistive equipment or technique. OSHA also reports that back injuries account for a majority of musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare, making safer patient handling an urgent priority.

Training Is Not a One-and-Done

Even the best equipment won’t prevent injuries if staff aren’t trained to use it properly—and consistently. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) key components of an effective Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) program, including:

• Annual hands-on competency evaluations
• Ongoing mentoring by trained “safety champions”
• Training tailored to patient mobility levels
• Hands-on instruction with powered and non-powered equipment

Training should be continuous, not just during onboarding. The data shows facilities that implemented ongoing SPHM training programs saw a dramatic reduction in injury rates—

Equipment Quality Matters—and So Does Staff Buy-In

Slide sheets. Sit-to-stand lifts. Air-assisted lateral transfer devices. Reusable slings. While these tools are essential to reducing physical strain, not all equipment is created equal, and poor design or lack of user comfort often leads to underuse.

Research when selecting equipment—one that includes nurses, aides, and other frontline caregivers. Their feedback on usability, ease of cleaning, and comfort helps ensure tools are effective and actually used.

Facilities should regularly evaluate patient handling devices for ergonomics, durability, and staff acceptance, and make upgrades when needed to support safe work practices.

Handle Proactive Solutions

The consequences of unsafe patient handling go beyond injury. from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing assistants had the highest number of cases involving days away from work among all occupations—most commonly due to overexertion and bodily reaction.

The financial impact of these injuries is staggering: workers’ compensation costs, staffing shortages, and lost productivity quickly add up. More importantly, these injuries are emotionally and physically devastating for the dedicated caregivers we rely on every day.

Redesigning Care

Reducing these risks requires more than compliance—it requires a culture of safety, supported by leadership, equipment, education, and empowerment. Safe patient handling should be viewed as a core element of quality care—one that protects not only patients, but also the skilled professionals who care for them.

“When we invest in better tools, smarter training, and a culture of accountability, we’re not just checking a compliance box—we’re protecting the people at the heart of healthcare,” Sowers added. “Safe patient handling is about making sure everyone goes home healthy at the end of the day.”

At 91şÚÁĎÍř, we help healthcare facilities design and implement evidence-based safe patient handling programs tailored to their unique needs. From ergonomic assessments to staff training support, our team works with you to prevent injuries before they occur.

To learn how we can support your facility’s safety goals, contact your local 91şÚÁĎÍř Risk Management Consultant.

What does a workplace wellness program look like? Here’s a short list of some of our employees’ favorite wellness offerings:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Tuition reimbursement
• Reward and recognition programs
• Stand-up desks and ergonomic workstations
• Free flu shots
• Community volunteer programs
• Financial seminars
• Charitable matching gift programs

All of these offerings, and more, are part of 91şÚÁĎÍř’s newly refreshed well-being program — BE Well 360°.

We asked a few of 91şÚÁĎÍř’s well-being experts to share more about the importance of workplace wellness programs and how 91şÚÁĎÍř is embracing wellness in the workplace. Check out what they had to say below!

Erin Buddie, 91şÚÁĎÍř’s AVP of human resources operations, on the importance of workplace wellness programs:
“The benefits of comprehensive workplace wellness programs are numerous. Research indicates these programs can raise employee engagement, increase productivity and contribute positively to company culture. According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of employees at companies that support well-being efforts are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work. While total wellness for each employee cannot be achieved overnight, companies should be making an effort to foster a healthy working environment for their employees. When employers take wellness into account, the long-term positive impact on overall employee health is undeniable.”

Karen Champine, 91şÚÁĎÍř’s manager of benefits and compliance, on the company’s newly refreshed well-being program:
“BE Well 360° is designed to address five aspects of overall well-being. These include: physical wellness, financial security, social and emotional balance, professional development and a sense of community. The program provides a broad range of meaningful initiatives that support overall well-being. From on-site chair massages to complimentary financial seminars, employees are offered various resources that focus on all-around wellness. When our well-being program was refreshed in early 2019, we introduced 31 employee wellness ambassadors. With these ambassadors located at various offices across the country, we’ve seen a notable increase in participation, as well as overall enthusiasm for the program. Monthly wellness activities are held at the corporate level, sponsored by the human resources team, but what’s really exciting is the growth of local wellness activities, planned by our employee ambassadors. A wellness program that is influenced and supported by the employee population is what every company should strive for – and I’m proud to say that’s what we’ve accomplished at 91şÚÁĎÍř!”

Yvonne O’Connor, 91şÚÁĎÍř claims consultant and BE Well 360° ambassador, on office wellness activities:
“As the wellness ambassador for the Chicago Core Service Center, one of 91şÚÁĎÍř’s smaller offices, I’m always trying to think of new ways to engage our team in wellness activities beyond the companywide initiatives. It’s a bit challenging for our team because many employees in the Chicago office work remotely, but we’ve found ways to embrace workplace wellness without being in the same room – or even the same building. My favorite so far was the month-long step challenge our office held in May. Throughout the month, we recorded our steps in a shared spreadsheet. We watched each other progress and provided encouragement to each other along the way. Thanks to BE Well 360°, the small but mighty Chicago team felt empowered to BE Well and took an amazing 1,897,333 steps!”

Are you interested in working for a company that cares about you and your success? Place yourself amongst people who share a commitment to professional growth, community, and innovation. to view 91şÚÁĎÍř’s current job openings.