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 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!