 About
O'Shea & Associates Founded in 1997 by Louise O'Shea, the company specializes
in developing and implementing innovative systematic risk
management programs that reduce people and materials handling
hazards in the workplace.
The company's core product is the O'Shea No
Lift Patient Handling System for the health care industry
and disability services.
Ms. O'Shea, president and chief executive officer,
is a registered nurse with postgraduate education in community
health and occupational health and safety.
In 2002, she co-authored the WorkSafe Victoria Transferring
People Safely document that supports the health and safety
legislation in the state of Victoria. She was a peer reviewer
for the New Zealand Patient Handling Guidelines published
in 2003.
Company History
The history behind the O'Shea & Associates is a
story of an industrious young woman, attracted to a nursing
career because it afforded her the opportunity and flexibility
to travel.
After completing her education, in 1990 Louise accepted
a job as an occupational health and safety nurse at a veteran's
hospital in Brisbane, Queensland. This new job ignited an
interest in occupational health that would chart her future.
Louise recognized the value of employee involvement in addressing
health and safety problems so she organized teams in each
area of the hospital she supervised.
Her willingness to listen to employee ideas in turn empowered
them to find creative solutions for existing hazards. From
this experience, she recognized that her non-traditional approach
of using consultative employee groups produced better results
than directing staff what to do and then trying to get them
to comply.
An innovative thinker, Louise gained an enormous amount
of knowledge and practical experience during her years at
the veteran hospital. During the last few months there, Louise
organized her first conference on hazard management drawing
on her accomplishments.
The conference was so popular some attendees drove six hours
to hear Louise explain how to reduce workplace hazards and
implement and maintain change. The response to this first
program clearly demonstrated a need for health care safety
information.
Louise's success at managing hospital hazards and
facilitating cultural change were the foundation for the
method she developed. The O'Shea No Lift Patient Handling
System was born!
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