Nurses Blast Obama Administration for Removing OSHA Safety Rule

[TacticalPeek]

Source: Advance for Nurses Magazine


Nurses Blast Obama Administration for Removing OSHA Safety Rule

Posted on: January 27, 2011

National Nurses United (NNU) is sharply criticizing the Obama administration for a decision by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Tuesday to withdraw a rule requiring employers to report musculoskeletal injuries to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

"This is a disturbing sign that the Obama administration may be putting the economic interests of employers ahead of the safety of nurses and other working people," says Karen Higgins, RN, co-president of the 160,000-member nurses union.

The decades-old rule reportedly was pulled by the DOL at the request of the White House's Office of Management and Budget. The decision, according to NNU, "coincides with the recent announcement by the Obama administration that it intends to pursue deregulation of rules opposed by corporate interests.

"Nursing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S., and nurses are especially subject to serious back and other musculoskeletal injuries," says Higgins. "One step we can take to keep nurses safe and at work is to have an accurate picture of when and how they are hurt on the job."

http://nursing.advanceweb.com/News/National-News/Nurses-Blast-Obama-Administration-for-Removing-OSHA-Safety-Rule.aspx



Read more: http://nursing.advanceweb.com/News/National-News/Nurses-Blast-Obama-Administration-for-Removing-OSHA-Safety-Rule.aspx

---

I hope that changes.

[postulater]

This is not the right kind of hope and change.

[nashville_brook]

2. you better *hope* you don't herniate a disc is the kind of change we're talking about

it seems.

[nashville_brook]

1. so, this wouldn't just affect nurses -- this is any back injury

is that right?

[TheMadMonk]

8. Pretty much ANY physical injury as a result of overstressing the body.

Backs are just a part of it. Also any repetetive strain injuries. Or any other chronic injury to the human frame. Acute injuries too, but it's a little less useful to know that vintage car starters suffer an excess of broken wrists and thumbs.

And the intent is obvious. To make it that much more dificult for work injured litigants to compare notes or establish a pattern of harmful behaviour on the part of their employers.

[Horse with no Name]

70. Here is an interesting tidbit

As a nurse, this infuriates me. This is a BIG deal for nursing.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/ergonomics/back-care-nurses

>>>>snip
Construction workers, warehouse personnel, delivery goods drivers, nurses, shopkeepers and farm workers. If you had to choose, which of these occupations suffers the highest incidence of back injury? You might think that construction workers or delivery goods drivers might be the riskiest occupations for back injuries, because the work involves a lot of bending and lifting, but you'd be wrong! Many people are surprised to learn the nursing is the riskiest occupation for back injuries! In fact, nursing has the second highest incidence of all types of non-fatal work-related injuries in the U.S.A.

>>>>>>>Snip
In all industries combined, 1998 injury data show that nearly 12 out of 100 nurses in hospitals, and 17.3 out of 100 nurses working in nursing homes report work-related musculoskeletal injuries, including back injuries, which is about double the rate for all industries combined.

[Marnie]

75. Right, Few other occupations require empolyees

to lift and move unwieldy objects weighing up to 400 pounds, or a frequent, basis.

[TheMadMonk]

98. Not at all surprised. Our loads on the whole don't fight back.

The New Year's Bushfires that hit NSW a few years ago came down into our backyard. Getting my 90+ year old grandmother down the stairs was quite an experience.

Getting my 90+ year old grandmother anywhere was quite an experience.

[Scruffy1]

3. Strange that this law was signed by a Republican

Now were happy to have an anti-labor Republican running things.

[ProSense]

4. According to the DOL, this is a temporary removal of a proposal.

US Labor Department’s OSHA temporarily withdraws proposed column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, reaches out to small businesses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has temporarily withdrawn from review by the Office of Management and Budget its proposal to restore a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. The agency has taken this action to seek greater input from small businesses on the impact of the proposal and will do so through outreach in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.

"Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain the leading cause of workplace injury and illness in this country, and this proposal is an effort to assist employers and OSHA in better identifying problems in workplaces," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "However, it is clear that the proposal has raised concern among small businesses, so OSHA is facilitating an active dialogue between the agency and the small business community."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSDs accounted for 28 percent of all reported workplace injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work in 2009.

The proposed rule would not change existing requirements about when and under what circumstances employers must record MSDs on their injury and illness logs. While many employers are currently required to keep a record of workplace injuries and illnesses, including work-related MSDs, on the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), the vast majority of small businesses are not required to keep such records. The proposed rule would require those employers already mandated to keep injury and illness records, and to record MSDs, to place a check mark in the new column for all MSDs.

Prior to 2001, OSHA's injury and illness logs contained a column for repetitive trauma disorders that included noise and many kinds of MSDs. In 2001, OSHA separated noise and MSDs into two columns, but the MSD column was deleted in 2003 before the provision became effective. This proposal would restore the MSD column to the Form 300.

OSHA and the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy jointly will hold a meeting to engage and listen to small businesses about the agency's proposal. Small businesses from around the country will be able to participate through electronic means, such as telephone and/or a Web forum. Details of the meeting will be announced within 30 days. OSHA also will conduct a stakeholder meeting with other members of the public if requested.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

[Doctor_J]

13. Yeah, like temporary tax cuts, temporary war, and temporary

torture venues.

I thought OSHA was to protect workers from harsh working conditions. This line is hilarious:

"Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain the leading cause of workplace injury and illness in this country, (but) it is clear that the proposal has raised concern among small businesses".

Guess what. EVERYTHING OSHA IS SUPPOSED TO DO RAISES CONCERNS AMONG BUSINESS. Duh.

[ProSense]

14. "proposal"

It's a proposal to restore a column. In other words, no regulation is being withdrawn.

What the hell good are facts if people are going to ignore them?

[No Elephants]

18. Op says it's "decades old rule." And the Nurses' Assn seems to agree with that.

:shrug:

[ProSense]

43. The rule isn't changing.

The Obama administration made a proposal a year ago, and it is that proposal that is being withdrawn for review.

[Divernan]

54. There IS no rule - Bush got rid of it in 2003!

Obama endorses Bush yet again.

[fatbuckel]

55. But that wouldn`t be easy to bitch about, if they researched the facts and details.

[liberation]

65. Well, researching those facts and details apparently is really hard even for those defending him too

Since you only provided passive aggressive snark, which frankly is not that hard either, in lieu of those "facts and details" no?

[fatbuckel]

72. See Post #4...

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has temporarily withdrawn from review by the Office of Management and Budget its proposal to restore a column for work-related musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs. The agency has taken this action to seek greater input from small businesses on the impact of the proposal and will do so through outreach in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.

"Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain the leading cause of workplace injury and illness in this country, and this proposal is an effort to assist employers and OSHA in better identifying problems in workplaces," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "However, it is clear that the proposal has raised concern among small businesses, so OSHA is facilitating an active dialogue between the agency and the small business community."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSDs accounted for 28 percent of all reported workplace injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work in 2009.

The proposed rule would not change existing requirements about when and under what circumstances employers must record MSDs on their injury and illness logs. While many employers are currently required to keep a record of workplace injuries and illnesses, including work-related MSDs, on the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), the vast majority of small businesses are not required to keep such records. The proposed rule would require those employers already mandated to keep injury and illness records, and to record MSDs, to place a check mark in the new column for all MSDs.

Prior to 2001, OSHA's injury and illness logs contained a column for repetitive trauma disorders that included noise and many kinds of MSDs. In 2001, OSHA separated noise and MSDs into two columns, but the MSD column was deleted in 2003 before the provision became effective. This proposal would restore the MSD column to the Form 300.

OSHA and the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy jointly will hold a meeting to engage and listen to small businesses about the agency's proposal. Small businesses from around the country will be able to participate through electronic means, such as telephone and/or a Web forum. Details of the meeting will be announced within 30 days. OSHA also will conduct a stakeholder meeting with other members of the public if requested.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov .

[lark]

79. What's not easy to bitch about?

Obama (pre-Republican days) had proposed that OSHA require reporting of neuro-muscular injuries and has now withdrawn the rule and says it's just temporary - but that's BS and we all know it. All he's doing these days is channeling Bush - a more lucid & coherent Bush to be sure - but still Bush lite. Dread the day when he looks at Financial regs again, fear even these tepid ineffective measures will be gutted by even more corporatist than before Obama.

[rhett o rick]

83. If it's no big deal, as you suggest, why was the column removed in 2003. And why has it been

proposed to reinstate and then reconsidered. Seems that someone besides the nurses thing the column is important.

Your incessant defense of everything the administration does is transparent.

[freshwest]

16. Yup

:banghead:

[Catherina]

23. +10,000,000,000,000,000,000 n/t

[molly77]

45. Obama was criticized as not being business friendly

So in order to be bipartisan , he is now saying business does not have to follow any laws unless they want to.

How very fascist.Hope business is happy.

[MissDeeds]

47. Spot on n/t

[Le Taz Hot]

27. Oh, so this is all for "Small Business!"

Now I understand. :eyes:

[ProSense]

46. Yeah,

well it's great that everyone is outraged because the administration is reviewing a rule it proposed, something that doesn't yet exist in regulation.

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vidar]

6. Just another way for Obama to screw the citizens & kiss up to his beloved corporations.

[ncteechur]

7. How about posting ALL the facts before you post something in an effort to shit on the president.

Because it sounds like the nurses union don't have all the facts, if we are to believe the full story posted by Prosense.

Thanks, Prosense. Maybe other posters can learn from your example.

[Still a Democrat]

9. And ruin a good outrage?

What fun is reality?

[displacedvermoter]

64. Its Poutrage, goddamnit!!!

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Enthusiast]

29. Yes, boo hoo.

[boppers]

24. Outrage generates more donations and revenue than facts.

Where would media be if it was required to be accurate and informative?

[liberation]

66. Ironic

DIdn't Obama raise record amounts of donations for his campaign?

[boppers]

94. Yes We Can.

:D

[RufusTFirefly]

33. Darn nurses. Always going off half-cocked. Just in it for themselves

Nothing but full-time Obama haters. Darn, darn, darn.

:sarcasm:

[derby378]

42. Yep, I'm afraid I gotta side with the nurses here

My sister-in-law worked as a nurse and is now a PA. She holds down jobs at two or three different clinics to provide for her family's growing needs. Who's going to look out for her?

[pecwae]

34. Oh my.

[liberation]

68. Nothing is stopping you from posting all those facts to defend the president either

Obviously you and "pro" "sense" know the facts about their situation better than the nurses themselves do, so please feel free to enlighten them about their own reality and correct their lying eyes.

[inna]

69. "in an effort to shit on the president" - vile, false and uncalled for accusation

:thumbsdown:

[rhett o rick]

85. Interesting that anyone daring to criticize the president doesnt have all the facts. Prosense

apparently knows all. To me the fact that he 1000% defends the administration is suspect.

[smiley_glad_hands]

10. Don't confuse an OSHA reporting requirement for a workman's comp claim.

Further, an injury would still get logged, this category just wouldn't have its own column.

[freshwest]

17. So you're saying this is just paperwork, and the nurses are having a hissy for nothing?

[smiley_glad_hands]

86. Pretty much thats all this is.....a hissy fit. eom

[No Elephants]

19. And small business and the Nurses' are up in arms over 2 lines on paper, nothing more

Why even bother with a change like that--"relieving" small businesses of nn obligation to make a mark--nothing more.

Sorry, something is just not making sense.

[smiley_glad_hands]

90. All workplace injuries and illnesses will continue to be recorded. eom

[Gormy Cuss]

59. which makes it easier for the extent of the problem to get lost.

It's like the common practice of citing "complications" of the initially presenting condition as the cause of death when a nosocomial infection was the reason the prognosis went from fair to death.

[smiley_glad_hands]

88. I wouldnt know about that specific ailment.

Injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace will continue to be recorded regardless of this rule.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[No Elephants]

20. Seems as though we need more info.

[TacticalPeek]

22. OSHA Backtracks on Proposed Workplace Injury Rule - AFL-CIO

. . . From 1970 until the Bush administration in 2003 deleted the MSD column on the injury and illness form, employers were required to identify these injuries. But when OSHA proposed to restore the MSD record-keeping rule, the business community went into a tizzy, claiming it was a costly burden and government overreach. That’s not a surprise.

. . . The agency said the withdrawal will be temporary because OSHA planned to “engage and listen” to small businesses’ concerns about the agency’s proposal. The rule was proposed nearly a year ago, and those concerns were thoroughly expressed during the comment period and in public hearings.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/01/26/osha-backtracks-on-proposed-workplace-injury-rule/

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is backing down from its plan to resume measurement of work-related musculoskeletal injuries on employer injury and illness logs.
. . .
Chasick said the costs of the proposed rule are "miniscule."

"OSHA’s proposed rule determined that the costs per business of becoming familiar with the change and recording musculoskeletal disorders as such would be approximately four dollars for the first year and 67 cents for subsequent years."

"This rule has been held up by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), which should not have reviewed the rule in the first place, and has missed deadlines for completing review." Chasick said. "Now this rule is being improperly subjected to a small business review panel. Neither of these additional review procedures is appropriate for a rule with such a small economic impact."

Chasick said it is the second rule that OSHA has withdrawn since President Obama issued an op-ed, memorandum and executive order criticizing regulations and calling for more business influence in the rulemaking process.

"Last week, the administration backed off a proposed workplace noise rule in response to complaints from major business groups. We are troubled by the implications of these actions, and urge OSHA to resume its efforts to protect workers from injuries and illnesses," Chasick said.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2011/01/obama-administration-backtracks-on-musculoskeletal-disorders.html

Fuck this shit.

[No Elephants]

25. Thank you for the quote. This thread is making much more sense now.

I googled before, but did not find anything right away that helped me make sense of this and did not feel like spending a lot of time. So, thanks for being less lazy than I was.

[KoKo]

36. Thanks for this extra information which clarifies the points in the OP.

:thumbsup:

[Divernan]

38. A question for posters supporting Obama - "Cui Bono?"

ProSense, above, asks a valid question "What the hell good are facts if people are going to ignore them?"
In that spirit, we await his/her response to TacticalPeek's facts.

Record keeping matters and is the basis for decisions regarding regulations protecting workers' health and welfare.
Why did the Bush administration, in 2003, delete that column which had been in place since 1970? Surely not out of any concern for American workers. As in all else, Bush acted in the financial interests of business.

Cui bono ("To whose benefit?", literally "as a benefit to whom?", a double dative construction) is a Latin adage that is used either to suggest a hidden motive or to indicate that the party responsible for something may not be who it appears at first to be.

Commonly the phrase is used to suggest that the person or people guilty of committing a crime may be found among those who have something to gain, chiefly with an eye toward FINANCIAL gain. The party that benefits may not always be obvious or may have successfully diverted attention to a scapegoat, for example.

The Roman orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, in his speech Pro Roscio Amerino<1>, section 84, attributed the expression cui bono to the Roman consul and censor Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla:
“ L. Cassius ille quem populus Romanus verissimum et sapientissimum iudicem putabat identidem in causis quaerere solebat 'cui bono' fuisset.

The famous Lucius Cassius, whom the Roman people used to regard as a very honest and wise judge, was in the habit of asking, time and again, 'To whose benefit?'
”

[Dappleganger]

77. This is a great post, worthy of it's own thread on GD.

[ProSense]

44. Here

. . The agency said the withdrawal will be temporary because OSHA planned to “engage and listen” to small businesses’ concerns about the agency’s proposal. The rule was proposed nearly a year ago, and those concerns were thoroughly expressed during the comment period and in public hearings.

The Obama administration made a proposal a year ago, and it is that proposal that is being withdrawn for review.

[Divernan]

53. What's to review any further? You either document these injuries or you don't.

Who benefits if these injuries are not documented? Small businesses.
Who benefits secondarily? Politicians who get donations from small businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. And of course, this further "review" period is when the lobbyists will be passing the hat and ponying up campaign contributions & promises of future campaign contributions in exchange for stalling, delaying and postponing.

Surely, you are not stating that the Obama administration made this proposal a year ago without having determined that it was a worthwhile proposal?

This is exactly what I saw in state government (Pennsylvania) for many years. Bills and regulations would be drafted which threatened the special interests, public hearings would be held, and said special interests would make the rounds of the Governor's office and the leadership of legislative majority and minority parties, plus any individual representative or senator who was on a committee considering said proposals. And oh, too bad, the legislative session ended before any action could be taken. For example, it took over ten years to get a state building code passed, and the national & state homebuilders groups poured in buckets of money to keep blocking that legislation.

[ProSense]

58. "What's to review any further? You either document these injuries or you don't."

At least you acknowledged that it's a review.

"Surely, you are not stating that the Obama administration made this proposal a year ago without having determined that it was a worthwhile proposal?"

Yes, they proposed it, and do you have any idea what they proposed? Did it go further than the rule Bush removed in 2003? Is there a legitimate concern?

Surely one can protest pulling the proposal temporarily for review without implying that a rule currently being enforced was pulled by the Obama administration.

From the OP: "The decades-old rule reportedly was pulled by the DOL at the request of the White House's Office of Management and Budget."

It's decades old, but Bush pulled it in 2003.

The Obama administration proposed the current rule withdrawn for review.




Edited for clarity.

[Divernan]

63. It's been repeatedly & clearly stated that the rule was pulled by Bush's administration in 2003

[Enthusiast]

28. Disturbing sign?

He's a god damned Republican!

[Lasher]

30. Not quite, he's a neoliberal.

Which is almost as bad.

[MissDeeds]

48. Yup

He certainly governs as one.

[SammyWinstonJack]

51. +100000!

[sam sarrha]

31. Creeping Dominionism.. god only favors the rich, punishes the poor. the Top 1% richest have 42% of

financial wealth, 6 times the bottom 80% with 7% or less by now.

since wealth and power are proof of gods favor of a man it is a sin to tax the rich.. and it is a sin to help the poor because god is punishing them..

1/3 of all red states are totally controlled by Christian Mafia, and this mental illness is spreading at epidemic rates.. Dominionism is actually similar to Sharia law.. started in America in the 30's by a Nazi Party refugee, Abraham Varidi

[goforit]

62. Not wait.... even the rich need healthcare. Without RNs well

they are on their own.

[MedicalAdmin]

32. Nixon. Raygun. Boosh. Shrub. How deeply have they corrupted the govt?

This is a stupid rule.

And I have to wonder just how big the rock is that he pushes uphill daily. Just how many bought and paid for corporatists are buried in our government? How deep does the corruption go?

[old mark]

35. K&R-I suffered back injuries when I worked in nursing, and helped an aide

in her suit against our hospital when she was ordered to return to work after a neck injury that left her pemnanently disabled. She won.

Hospital administrators and HRC people are as ruthless as those in any other industries, and EVERY small step backwards is a slap in the face to all organized labor and all health care workers.

Mr. Obama, you should be ashamed if you still have the capacity for that.


mark
Former AFSCME Steward

ADDED: here is the White House email contact page-please make your feelings known there as well as here...this really sucks.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

[KoKo]

37. +1

[Divernan]

39. This pro-worker rule went into effect under Nixon, and was left in place by

Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, & Clinton. It was put in place in 1970, and was gutted by W in 2003. And now Obama's administration is endorsing and sustaining that gutting.

[Divernan]

40. And while we're on the subject, a heartfelt thank you to all nurses everywhere.

Right now there is a nurse helping a woman become a mom,
a nurse holding the hand of a dying man,
a nurse inserting a child's IV,
a nurse listening to an alzheimer patient tell a story,
A nurse comforting family members over the death of a loved one,
a nurse missing their family while caring for yours. In the minute it
took you to read this nurses all over the world are saving lives.

(And those of us non-nurses who have cared for elderly relatives, or other seriously ill and/ordisabled adults, know about the wear and tear on our backs and shoulders from lifting and shifting.)

[Disintermedia8]

57. If anyone was to measure a society

in terms of how it takes care of its children and its elderly ...

[Better Believe It]

41. Have to get rid of these terrible regulations that are making U.S. workers less competitive.

[Disintermedia8]

49. musculoskeletal injuries

are one of the costliest injuries for employers to pay for under workers compensation. It is particularly problematic for employers because the case typically stays open for years, or even a lifetime. The cost of treatment + the cost of indemnity + the cost of lawyers = a big headache for employers.

This rule is a way for employers to obfuscate the issue by denying the necessary data to policy making bodies.

In essence, this is a Republican/Libertarian's nocturnal emission.

[Divernan]

50. Spot on, insightful comment. Welcome to DU

[Disintermedia8]

56. thank you. #

[sam sarrha]

91. is Obama really just a Chicago Corporate Mob Don...? what the hell is go'n on with that guy.??

[Disintermedia8]

92. I sure wish I knew what makes him tick.

But I was bamboozled quite easily by his schtick, so my powers of observation can be legitimately called in to question.

[lonestarnot]

52. The nurses of the United States our one of our greatest assets, so now we must dump on them. I see.

:thumbs down: !!!!

[defendandprotect]

60. Keep the faith?

[goforit]

61. Nurses can rebel by not lifting anymore.

Nurses do the work. Not doctors. Not technicians.
Healthcare would be far worse if nurses just stopped.

[dana_b]

95. and leave my patient sitting

in his/her own waste? Don't pick up that crying child whose mom and dad are not there? Don't help the patient to ambulate when it is what is keeping them from developing a blood clot? I don't think so.

i understand what you are saying but I can't see that happening. I wish it was different - believe me - I am currently living this nightmare.

[RKP5637]

67. More change you can believe in ... n/t

[Marnie]

71. Will this finally convence the Dims that Obama

is a died in the wool Republican who lied his way into the nomination with talk of universal healthy care, single payer, ending wars, putting main street back to work, etc.

Sure he talks the talk every once in a while. But then he gets into his secret meetings a sells us out.

[somone]

73. This is a slap in the face to working Americans

especially those who voted for Obama

[Marnie]

74. Isn't it kind of OSHA's job to collect just that kind of info and

then make regulations and requirements to protect workers from their employer's willful neglect?

How much of a genius does it take to reach the commonsense conclusion that health care workers who have to move cumbersome heavy objects (human bodies) around 12/7, especially when some of those cumbersome heavy objects weight upwards of 400 pounds these days - that those people might be subject to musculoskeletal injuries, along with physical attacks, needle sticks, and being exposed to every communicable disease known to human kind.

A couple of years ago the California Nurses Association went on strike state wide because Schwartzenneger wanted to lower patient safety regulations requiring safe nurse/skill to patient/needs ratio. The nurses won, girly man Arnold back down.

It is time for the unions to get together and start vetting candidates for the nominating convention. Somebody who is a real Democrat.

Obama clearly is a Repocon with a very smooth like of BS.

[AnneD]

76. Just an FYI....

Nurses and Nurse's Aides are required to lift more by their employers than those UPS and Fed Ex guys. No lie, they can get help at 50 lbs. The only people under 50 lbs in this job are under 10 yo. I can't tell you how many times I had to lift more than my weight by myself. Not only do you lift more weight, you do it at an awkward angle. I have had classes in body mechanics and do it as I should, but a confused pt will grab your neck instead of your shoulders in mid lift, or the weight shifts and you have to guide their fall frequently at YOUR EXPENSE.

Of all the Nurses in my graduating class (18 of us in 1991) five were out with MSI by the 5th year. We lost 2 to latex allergies and 2 now have Hep C. There is no telling how much long term problems we will have-knees, hips, etc from excess wear and tear. Nurses were so scarce they finally started supplying us with glove, safe stick needles, and lifting devices. They would not have done gloves and needles if the government through OSHA had not gotten on to them. Only stevedores have more MSI than Nurses. They truly don't give a rat's ass about the workers unless there is a law or they are sued. Those that do the right thing are few and far between.

I took up lifting weights and keep a chiropractor on retainer. I switched practice areas. I am one of the few that still is in active practice. I am coming to the end of my Nursing career. When I hang up these Crocs, I will not be coming back. There are few, if any hospitals that meet MY STANDARDS of Nursing Practice, and I am tired of lowering mine.

I gave up way to many holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings to take care of others. At this point I am ready to take care of my self and will protest for these incoming Nurses. It cost too much to educate a Nurse to discard them so casually.

[w8liftinglady]

78. I can verify 100% what you wrote.

examples...
Cpr on a pt family member who collapsed in a chair at bedside.on the night shift... One nurse peeing for the first time that shift,the other down the hall 'wiping" a patient(yes-nurses do those things,too).
Movement of patient who weighed in excess of 400 pounds by three staff...machinery that would have helped was out of service.
Cpr again on a patient who pulled out blood tranfusion,leaving entire room saturated with blood.
Pt's kid whp got stuck in overhead trapeze.
I have about 600 more examples.
The OSHA standards only recently became applied uniformly in Texas hospitals...especially those in the sticks.If it weren't for them,many of the small town hospital would revert to the staffing patterns of the 70's and 80's.

[dana_b]

96. don't I know it

and I appreciate what you have given. I was injured 6 years ago (only 4 years experience as a nurse at the time)moving a patient into a room and am still fighting the hospital's insurance company. I need surgery if I ever want to be able to sleep through the night again (pain is intense especially at night). We "won" the lawsuit but are still fighting the war.

Needle sticks and bodily fluid exposures, numerous injuries, and even psychological stress is knocking out the nurses I see around me. Unfortunately many of them are young nurses too.

[readmoreoften]

80. Sickening. And the people apologizing for the anti-labor bullshit are just as bad.

There really isn't much common ground when you support this kind of anti-labor nonsense.

[bvar22]

81. SEE??? Its all these pesky "regulations" that are getting in the way....

...of the Ownership Class making even more free money!!!


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[Mattylock]

84. These injuries are documented many places.

OSHA is just another. In my state, for example, these injuries are documented in Work. Comp. court and our state version of OSHA, so although I understand that for efficiency purposes it would be great to have nationwide info. available through OSHA, I can't make the stretch to say it impacts safety. How so? I don't really understand the outrage. And it does seem that the article is inaccurate in that it calls the rule "decades old" when the truth of the matter is there hasn't been such a rule in nearly a decade.

[smiley_glad_hands]

89. If your state osha recieves money from the feds, then they get that info. nt

[obxhead]

87. Phew, cutting that waste and redundancy away for progress!

For a minute I was sure he would break a promise.

[PatrynXX]

93. OSHA=FAIL

OSHA. ha. most ineffective item ever made. OSHA can't talk with State OSHA folks. and State OSHA's are usually corrupt.

We were required to blow the dust off the floor and equipment creating a cloud. Teacher tells me we are required to wear masks. State OSHA had no problems, but brought it up to the main one and Lee Enterprises and we get masks..

[howaboutme]

97. Why has most every US policy come to mean benefit for the moneyed elite?

I don't think that inference is an overstatement. The beef is given to business while the crumbs fall to the people.