Numerous studies have documented a high prevalence of back, knee, shoulder and other joint pain among healthcare workers. Based on workers' compensation claims for back injuries, nursing aides and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) ranked fifth and ninth, respectively, among all occupations as those most at risk for such injuries. Nursing aides are at a higher risk for back injuries than construction laborers, lumbermen, material handlers and laborers.

Lifting and transferring of patients are the most commonly reported causes of back pain and knee and shoulder injury among healthcare workers.

Most programs for the prevention of back and joint injury to healthcare personnel tend to focus on proper lifting techniques, body mechanics and back care.

But many researchers now recommend an ergonomics approach that focuses on workplace assessment of patient care areas, patient assessment criteria, algorithms for safe patient handling and movement, lifting and transfer equipment, peer-safety leaders, lifting teams, incident reviews and similar policies.

These ergonomic approaches to safe patient handling and transfer policies are often called "no-lift" or "zero-lift" policies.

Delegates to the 2004 convention of the American Federation of Teachers passed a resolution requiring the AFT Healthcare division to undertake a national campaign to establish safe lifting policies in all healthcare and educational settings.

At the right are some of the resources AFT Healthcare has developed or collected as part of this campaign.