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WA Bill Aims to Protect Against Workplace Injuries [AUDIO]

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Performing the same motion over and over on the job can increase workers’ risk of getting hurt, and now a bill in Olympia aims to protect them with training on better practices.

 

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An initiative from 2003 prohibits the Department of Labor and Industries from putting regulations in place to prevent repetitive-motion injuries. House Bill 1837 would repeal it.

Trudi Hobbs, a school custodian at the Othello School District in southwest Washington and a member of Public School Employees of Washington, has testified in favor of the measure. She said she has sacrificed her health to serve the kids in her district.

“I’ve been an employee in my district since 1993, you know, approaching 30 years,” Hobbs explained. “And I would like to be able to complete my service with my district in fair health, because right now it’s not looking very good.”

Hobbs recounted she has sustained several injuries from work, including a shoulder tear and a knee injury which required surgery. The measure would allow for ergonomic training, so workers learn how to perform physical tasks without hurting themselves. Opponents say the bill would lead to costly and overly burdensome rules for businesses.

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Hobbs acknowledged the legislation likely will not affect her, since she could retire soon, but noted it would help workers down the road. She also pointed out custodians and other workers have been essential during the pandemic.

“I just think that we need a little assistance to do our jobs smarter, and there’s got to be some help on the horizon,” Hobbs urged. “And I hope that the House Bill 1837 is part of that answer.”

The bill has garnered support from education and health-care unions like Hobbs’ Public School Employees and Service Employees International Union Healthcare 1948, as well as statewide unions. Opposing groups include the Building Industry Association of Washington and Washington Food Industry Association. The bill is currently in the House Rules Committee.

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The above article was provided by Washington News Service. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its content. 

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One Comment

  1. Michele G Macheras Michele G Macheras February 24, 2022

    I think that no matter how careful or safe you try to be , if you are doing a job that has repetitive motion, gripping ,grabbing storing at a fast pace for 8 to 10 hrs a day , at some point it will wear you down, cause tears in soft tissue ligaments and tendons, cause nerve entrapment, tendinitis, carpal tunnel, and joint dislocation.
    Once it has gotten to the point of injury , there is a small window of time in which it needs to be addressed and treated, whether it be as simple as rest and ice or surgerical repair. But whatever the condition it needs to be examined thoroughly and treated properly In a reasonable asap time frame.
    Repetitive injuries can be a quick fix or a disability nightmare if not cared for by a physician who cares and treatment authorized promptly by workers compensation claims managers.
    Unfortunately in most cases repetitive injuries are mishandled by workers compensation claims and 3rd party adjusters , and physicians who poorly examine , misdiagnose, and mistreat injured workers because they won’t be held accountable due to the policies of the no fault clause ..
    So if you want to protect workers from getting injured or if you want to fix injured workers so they can get back to work , it is going to take more than safety exercises .
    And I’m speaking from current experience
    #injuredworkerfromamazon #sufferingfrompermanentdamagefromcasemishandledbyshadysurgeon,incompetentclaimsmanagerandshittylawyer #lakewoodWa

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