Special session: Iso standard (ISO TR 12296) “ergonomics—manual handling of people in the healthcare sector”

ISO (in agreement with CEN) approved a project to develop a specific standard on manual handling of people in the healthcare sector. This project has now produced a Technical Report, at its final stage, to guide all users involved in this peculiar topic. This TR provides guidance to assess problems and risks associated with manual patient handling and to identify and apply ergonomic strategies and solutions. The main goals of this TR are: 1) improve caregivers’ working conditions by decreasing biomechanical overload risk, thus limiting work-related illness and injury and the consequent costs and absenteeism, and; 2) account for patients’ care quality, safety, dignity and privacy as regards their needs including specific personal care and hygiene.