Occupational Hazards to Health Care Workers

1. Occupational Hazards to Health Care Workers Getting on the Policy Agenda Rep. Eileen Cody RN

2. How Do You Get the Legislatures Attention? • Examples of problems • Data and studies • Employer or union advocacy

3. Recent Initiatives affecting Health Care Workers • Chemical exposure • Assault of a Health Care Worker • Workplace Violence prevention plans • Needlesticks • Latex allergies • Ergonomics • Limiting Mandatory Overtime

4. Exposure to Workplace Chemicals • HB2696 passed in 1994 • Required L&I to develop policies for adjudicating workers’ compensation claims involving chemically related illness • In 2001 bills were introduced that would have made it presumptive that workers exposed to hazardous chemicals are covered by industrial insurance-none passed

5. Assault of Health Care Workers • SB 5681 passed in 1997 • A “simple” assault of a physician or nurse while working is punished as a felony third-degree

6. Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Plans • SB 5312 passed in 1999 required healthcare workplaces (except state hospitals) to develop workplace violence prevention plans • HB 2899 passed in 2000 extended the requirement to state hospitals

7. Needlesticks • In the Washington legislature bills were introduced in 1999 and 2000 to require the use of needleless systems where available • The Feds took care of this one!

8. Latex allergies • HB 1890 was introduced in 1999- it did not pass • The bill would have banned the use of powdered latex products • L&I developed rule that requires alternative gloves be available to employees who are allergic to the gloves

9. Ergonomics • L&I began rule development in 1998 • Final rule not adopted until May 2000 • The rule requires employers with “caution zone jobs” to provide ergonomic awareness training and to analyze jobs for hazards • The rule is phased in over 6 years and no penalties or citations for 2 years following each deadline

10. Limiting Mandatory Overtime • Introduced and passed in 2002 • Prohibits mandatory overtime but not voluntary overtime work • Prohibition does not apply to emergencies, pre-scheduled on-call time, or when the employer has used “reasonable efforts” to obtain staffing

11. What’s Next? • It’s up to you!