Health and Safety for RNs | Workplace Violence
Advocating for Health and Safety in the workplace is a protected right. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) protects health and safety advocacy as a concerted activity. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protects it under section 11 (c) of the OSH Act of 1970. Nurses represented by a union have further protections, under contractual language negotiated into contracts.
Living on Earth (www.loe.org) is a weekly environmental news and information program distributed by Public Radio International. According to a recent report, hospitals and long-term care facilities dump up to 250 million pounds of drugs down the drain every year. The EPA's Ben Grumbles joins host Bruce Gellerman to discuss the problem and what to do with dated medication.
A pediatric environmental health toolkit on preventing exposures to toxic chemicals and other substances that affect infant and child health is available as a free download from the Physicians for Social Responsibility web site.
The Environmental Working Group, ANA, Health Care Without Harm and the Environmental Health Education Center, University of Maryland School of Nursing recently posted results of an online national survey of nurses and chemical exposures, employing a convenience sample. For nurses interested in this issue, the RN-HEAT task force may be the perfect advocacy group for you; contact Tom Lowe at NYSNA: 212.785.0157 for information.
RNs interested in health and safety, particularly facility committee members, now have an online resource for OSHA information that identifies some major requirements, and guidance materials that may apply to your healthcare facility.
“The Nurses Role in Environmental Health” (.pdf document )The Obama Transition Team is developing an economic stimulus package for rapid implementation after the President-Elect takes office. The measures being considered center around the creation of new jobs in industries and programs that would stimulate our economy and establish infrastructure for long-term goals of the incoming administration, including healthcare efficiency, environmental sustainability and alternative energies.
Health Care Without Harm, with a team of healthcare community partners, has submitted a “Renewable Energy and Green Jobs Initiative” for consideration that would provide economic stimulus through the provision of clean energy in the healthcare community. The initiative creates a mechanism for the incoming Congress and Administration to invest in clean energy technologies to be implemented in healthcare facilities nationwide. Facilities would be provided purchase and implementation assistance in the form of rebates, grants, “shared savings” and other support.
To increase the viability of this initiative, support and preliminary inofrmation is needed from the healthcare community. Provide your information confidentially online, or visit practicegreenhealth.org/obama for information.