WA Nurses Celebrate Passage of Legislation

 PR Newswire, March 7, 2006

SEATTLE -- The Washington State House of Representatives today passed legislation (House Bill 1672) to promote safe patient handling and prevent workplace injuries amongst registered nurses and health care workers. This is a top legislative priority for the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) this session, and the victory is the result of a joint effort from WSNA, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 141 and Service Employees International Union 1199NW.

Health care workers are the leader among all industries in Washington State for musculoskeletal disorders, with injury rates higher than other dangerous occupations such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing and transportation.

This legislation will promote safe patient handling and reduce injuries amongst health care workers by establishing a Safe Patient Handling Committee (with at least half of the Committee be direct care providers) and implement a safe patient handling policy to prevent musculoskeletal disorders among health care workers and injuries to patients. The law will also mandate hospitals to acquire the much needed lifting equipment and provide staff training.

SOURCE: Washington State Nurses Association