2006 Resolution - 008

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SUBJECT: Resolution Protecting Nurses from Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries

Introduced by: NLA Delegates from the Washington State Nurses Association

Action: Passed Unanimously 3/16/06

WHEREAS, healthcare is one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. While the rate of injuries to all workers has declined since 1991, the rate of injuries to healthcare workers has continued to climb; and

WHEREAS, manual lifting of patients is the primary cause of healthcare injuries. According to NIOSH, the nine most common manual lifts exceed the capabilities of the human body and lead to injury. Nurses have repeatedly been in the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “top-ten list” for musculoskeletal injuries; and

WHEREAS, patients that are manually moved are at risk of being dropped or sustaining injuries such as dislocated shoulders, skin tears, broken arms, broken collarbones, and even nerve damage. Patients should not be hurt further when receiving care; and

WHEREAS, manual patient lifting is banned in many countries, including England, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Ireland, because of how damaging and dangerous it is; and

WHEREAS, OSHA inspections of nursing homes in Pennsylvania found nurses aides lifting over 5 tons per aide per shift, while a research study estimated nurses lifting over 1.8 tons per nurse per shift; and

WHEREAS, NIOSH gives 51 lbs as the safety lifting limit under ideal circumstances. Over 30 years of “body mechanics” training has proven ineffective in preventing heathcare worker injury with patient lifting. Research shows little difference in risk of injury whether with one or two lifters; and

WHEREAS, according to the ANA, research on the impact of musculoskeletal injuries among nurses shows: 83% of nurses work with some degree of back pain, 52% of nurses have chronic back pain, 38% suffer occupational-related back pain severe enough to require leave from their work, 20% have changed their nursing unit or position due to lower back pain, 12% are leaving the profession “for good,” and 12% are considering leaving; and

WHEREAS, statistics only tell a small part of the story. Statistics do not tell of the injured nurses’ lives, careers, and financial security lost forever to preventable disability and pain. Statistics do not tell how injured nurses’ families suffer and marriages fail due to these injuries; and

WHEREAS, healthcare employers continue to lose nurses to preventable injuries, and many refuse to give injured nurses “light duty” assignments, if they rehire them at all; and

WHEREAS, technology already exists that will move and lift our patients safely, gently and efficiently. Patient injuries are reduced, patient comfort is increased, and patient dignity and privacy are protected; and

WHEREAS, data demonstrates that when facilities purchase safe lifting and patient handling equipment, their costs are recovered within several years by injury prevention. Cost savings include reduced medical costs and worker compensation payments and eliminating the recruitment and training of new nurses;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,that UAN make political action to achieve state and federal legislation to protect nurses and patients from musculoskeletal injuries a top priority, including the ban of manual movement of patients where safer technology has already been developed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that UAN develop collective bargaining language for its members’ use to protect nurses and patients from musculoskeletal injuries. Such language shall include provisions for light-duty assignments (temporary and permanent) for work-injured nurses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that UAN in collaboration with ANA’s Handle with Care and other labor union programs educate its members in methods to prevent musculoskeletal injuries, including identifying, eliminating and minimizing risk factors for these injuries.