Introduction

Nurses Celebrate Passage of Safe Patient Lifting Law

March 8, 2006

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 a top legislative priority for the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) this session, and the victory is the result of efforts made by the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) along with other unions and hospitals.  The Washington Senate voted 48-0 today to approve the bill. Yesterday, the Washington House of Representatives voted 85-13 in favor of the legislation.

“Registered nurses throughout the State applaud 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 registered nurses out of direct patient care.  We look forward to working with the hospitals in the implementation of this law,” 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.

Text of the Safe Patient Lifting law that was passed in 2006.

Safe Patient Handling

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