Understanding OSHA Safe Patient Handling Best Practices and Ensuring Compliance with the SimPull

The healthcare profession is incredibly rewarding, but comes with some difficulties, injury being one of them. According to OSHA, in 2019, hospitals in the US reported 221,400 work-related injuries and illnesses, a rate of 5.5 per every 100 full-time employees. One of the main culprits of workplace injury in the healthcare field is manual patient transfer. 25% of all workers’ compensation claims are patient handling injuries (AON), highlighting the pressing need for patient transfer solutions that prioritize staff safety. 

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OSHA has addressed this need with their Safe Patient Handling guidelines and best practices, which are designed to protect healthcare workers from injuries caused by lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients. The OSHA Safe Patient Handling guidelines emphasize:

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• Minimizing manual lifting whenever possible
• Implementing mechanical lifting devices and assistive technologies
• Providing proper staff training on safe handling procedures
• Establishing facility-wide Safe Patient Handling and Mobility programs with clear protocols
• Limiting individual staff lifts to no more than 35 pounds
• Ensuring a minimum of two staff members are present for all patient transfers

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For healthcare facilities, aligning with OSHA’s safe patient handling best practices isn’t just about reducing injuries - it's about building a culture of safety, reducing liability, and improving operational efficiency. However, ensuring consistent compliance can be difficult without the right tools.

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That’s where innovative devices like the SimPull^® can make a meaningful difference.

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How the SimPull Supports OSHA Safe Patient Handling Compliance 

The SimPull is a fully automated patient transfer device engineered to eliminate the physical strain of patient lifting. It replaces manual repositioning with a mechanical, controlled movement that prioritizes safety for both the patient and the clinician.

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Here’s how the SimPull aligns with OSHA’s core SPHM principles:

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• Reduces manual exertion: SimPull handles lateral transfers, boosting, and supine-to-sit transitions with the push of a button, eliminating the need for staff to lift or pull patients manually.
• Improves workflow efficiency: Automating patient handling streamlines clinical tasks, reducing delays and freeing staff for other care responsibilities.
• Protects workers and patients: Reducing physical strain prevents injury to staff and minimizes the risk of patient falls or discomfort during transfer.
• Supports facility-wide SPHM programs: The SimPull can be easily integrated into standardized handling protocols and used consistently across units and shifts.
• Emphasises Staff Safety: Adheres to a zero force, zero lift standard for healthcare professionals 

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OSHA’s safe patient handling guidelines aren’t just a checklist, they represent a shift towards a safer, smarter future of patient handling. We are proud to offer a solution that adheres to OSHA lifting weight limit guidelines for healthcare workers in the U.S. If you’d like to learn more about the positive impact that the SimPull can have in your healthcare workplace, we’d love to connect! 

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