Nursing assistants employed by nursing homes miss more work because of back injuries than laborers and construction workers, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The newspaper is continuing its series “A Critical Choice” on the physical dangers of working in nursing homes by inviting readers to share their work experiences.

Caregivers are being asked to answer several questions:

• What is the most dangerous part of your job?
• Did your pre-employment training prepare you for the physical aspects of the job? How?
• Is the reality of the physical work different from your expectations? In what way?
• Have you received on-the-job ergonomic or safety training?
• What prevents you from doing the best possible job?
• Are there changes you believe would help improve working conditions for staff and the care of residents?
• Have you had to leave the industry because of injury?

“Daily lifting and repositioning of residents contribute to musculoskeletal disorders among nursing home staff,” the Plain Dealer reported. “The problem was a catalyst for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to develop ergonomic guidelines for nursing homes.”

The state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation also has developed a best practices document and safety manual for extended-care facilities, the newspaper reported.