Press Release

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

“Registered nurses throughout the State applaud the Legislature for the passage of this critical legislation and are celebrating this key victory which will reduce musculoskeletal injury for nurses at the bedside,” said Kim Armstrong, BSN, RN, President of WSNA.  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.  The manual moving, transferring and re-positioning of patients is the primary cause for the high rates of back injury in the health care industry. 

“Health care lags way behind many other industries as they have mechanized to remove the causes of acute and chronic back injuries.  These injuries not only lead to higher worker compensation and insurance costs, but also drive many health care providers out of direct patient care,” added Judy Huntington, MN, RN, Executive Director of WSNA.

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.