Newswatch: February 2005

Alliance formed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Even though it might be a labor of love, it's still a labor. Sonographers across the country consider the physical strain of their profession as a negative aspect of their jobs. However, things are changing. Recently, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS of Plano, Tex) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA of Washington) formed an alliance to reduce and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD).

According to the SDMS, the goal of the alliance between the SDMS and OSHA is to develop training programs and provide educational resources to reduce the high rate of WRMSD incidents among persons in the sonography profession and other members of the ultrasound community.

"It's important that we work together and focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact on worker safety," said OSHA administrator John Henshaw. "I'm confident that by working together toward a common goal, we can improve the health and safety for sonographers."

For SDMS members and the sonography community, the alliance will create a better working environment for sonographers by addressing the multi-faceted problem of WRMSD from multiple angles. Prevention will be addressed through education and training for new sonographers as well as practicing sonographers who have not yet been affected by WRMSD.

As for addressing the needs of those sonographers who already are affected by WRMSD, OSHA will have a collaborative presence with the SDMS at the society's annual conferences, so sonographers can learn firsthand what issues they face, and what information and resources are available to assist them.

"There's no point in just teaching prevention if it can't be incorporated into the workplace," said Joan P. Baker, facilitator of the alliance between SDMS and OSHA. "In addition, equipment manufacturers market internationally, so ergonomic design improvements will have a global effect."