(a) On or before December 1, 2008, each nursing home shall establish a safe patient lifting workgroup with equal membership from management and employees.

(b) (1) On or before July 1, 2009, the safe patient lifting workgroup shall develop a safe patient lifting policy for the nursing home.

(2) The goal of the policy shall be to reduce employee injuries associated with patient lifting.

(c) While developing a safe patient lifting policy, the workgroup shall consider, based on the patient population of that nursing home, the appropriateness and effectiveness of:

(1) Developing or enhancing patient handling hazard assessment processes;

(2) Enhanced use of mechanical lifting devices;

(3) Developing specialized lift teams;

(4) Training programs for safe patient lifting required for all patient care personnel at the nursing home;

(5) Incorporating physical space and construction design for mechanical lifting devices in any architectural plans for nursing home construction and renovation; and

(6) Developing an evaluation process to determine the effectiveness of the policy.