The Division of Health and Safety

A Force for Safety in the Workplace

The MNA is among the first state nurses associations to create and operate an occupational health and safety program. The MNA Division of Health and Safety provides information, education and advocacy on issues related to occupational hazards as well as workplace injuries and illnesses.

The division’s staff of occupational health specialists works with MNA local bargaining units to advocate onsite in labor/management meetings and provides input on contract negotiations. Staff also present educational programs for members on health and safety issues. Such issues include: latex allergy, indoor air quality, workplace violence and abuse, back and other musculoskeletal injuries, workers compensation issues and assistance with filing OSHA complaints.

MNA members provide direction and input to the Division as elected members of the Congress on Health and Safety and by volunteering as participants in specific issue-related task forces such as the Workplace Violence and Abuse Prevention Task Force, the Emergency Preparedness Task Force and the Safe Patient Handling Task Force.

Highlights from the Division of Health & Safety

  • In the spring of 2007 and again in 2009 the MNA presented a two day conference entitled Workplace Hazards to Nurses and Other Heatlhcare Workers. This conference focused on current research related to protecting health and promoting safety for nurses and their co-workers.
    See the 2007 & 2009 conference pages and the 2007 Conference Notes.
  • Worked with UMass Amherst and UMass Lowell on cutting edge research on health and safety issues impacting frontline nurses.
    See original article and Part One & Part Two of study findings.
  • In 2004, the MNA became the second state nurses association in the nation to establish a formal alliance with OSHA to educate health care workers on health and safety issues.
  • Provides educational opportunities for members and others related to all issues that affect health and safety at work in health care settings.
  • Provides access to online continuing nursing education on health and safety issues through the MNA website.
  • Worked with Norfolk County D.A. William Keating to develop a guideline on workplace violence prevention for health care employers.
  • Developed model health and safety union contract language for nurses in local bargaining units.
  • Drafted and passed landmark legislation to protect health care workers from needlestick injuries.
  • Drafted and continue to lobby for passage of other landmark legislation, including bills to prevent workplace violence and to ensure safe patient handling practices in health care facilities.