Ergonomic Challenges and Health Risks in Patient Handling

This study delves into the critical ergonomic challenges faced by healthcare personnel, particularly in patient handling jobs that frequently result in musculoskeletal disorders. Patient handling jobs, ranging from lifting and transferring patients to repositioning and ambulation, are among the most physically demanding jobs in healthcare systems and are a primary source of injury among nursing personnel. The study outlines the types of manual handling jobs, explores specific risk factors, and highlights the physical damage these activities take on healthcare personnel, including common injuries such as back, shoulder, and neck pain. Through a comprehensive framework that integrates ergonomic principles, this study emphasizes the need for safer handling practices and workplace support to mitigate the health risks associated with these activities. In alignment with the emerging paradigm of Ergonomics 5.0, the study advocates for the adoption of smart assistive technologies, AI-driven risk assessment tools, and adaptive work systems to enhance safety and reduce physical strain in patient handling. It further examines India’s unique healthcare context, where resource constraints, high patient loads, and limited ergonomic training amplify the challenges in patient handling, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions to improve both healthcare personnel safety and patient care quality.