2000 Resolution - 006

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Subject: Maintaining a Strong Health & Safety Program and Initiating a New Mentoring Program for Staff Nurse Health and Safety Leaders
Introduced by: UAN Executive Council
Action: Adopted June 22, 2000

WHEREAS, Few workplaces are as complex as the hospital. In hospitals and other health care settings, nurses face occupational hazards of the following types:

Biological
tuberculosis, HIV and Hepatitis C

Chemical
nitrous oxide, chemotherapeutic agents, laser smoke, glutaraldehyde

Physical                      
ionizing radiation, lasers, noise

Biomechanical          
patient lifting

Psychosocial   
stress and shiftwork, and

WHEREAS, Adverse health events related to workplace exposures are often first experienced, recognized and reported by nurse members (as in latex allergy) and deserve responsive health and safety program that can investigate and advocate for their interests, and

WHEREAS, Affected nurse members are frequently called upon to testify in support of legislative or regulatory action to protect nurses health and safety, and

WHEREAS, As the leader in advocating for nurses’ workplace rights, UAN elected officials will be called upon for continued participation and leadership in policy-making at the federal level for both known and newly identified hazards, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That UAN maintain a strong health and safety program, and therefore be it further

RESOLVED, That UAN initiate mentoring new staff nurse leaders in the field of health care health and safety.