Radiation Exposure:
Fraser Health Authority agrees to protect nurses
The settlement resolves a long-standing grievance by a single BCNU member who was determined to force her employer to provide a safe and healthy working environment
The Fraser Health Authority has signed a detailed agreement to ensure it takes proper measures to document and prevent exposure to ionizing radiation by Registered Nurses.
The agreement requires the health authority to provide training and ensure that specific safety procedures are followed including the use of protective equipment for BCNU members who work with fluoroscopy in all FHA facilities. Specified areas include operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, and surgical day care units performing ionizing radiation procedures.
The agreement follows a long campaign begun by nurses at Royal Columbian Hospital and supported by members at other facilities to force their employer and the Workers Compensation Board to act.
Nurses' concerns originated around three nursing staff members who were diagnosed with thyroid cancers after years of exposure to radiation emitting devices without the benefit pf proper protective equipment.
In 2001 the WCB cited RCH and the Simon Fraser Health Region, now Fraser Health Authority, for not providing proper training and protective equipment for nurses working in the operating rooms with radiation.
One member filed and relentlessly pursued a grievance, after the employer failed to follow-up and implement WCB orders, and failed to meet the national regulations for radiation emitting devices.
Under the agreement reached this month, the FHA will provide proper safety equipment to all staff and will regularly check the equipment and post the information for all staff to see. The employer has begun a health authority-wide radiation survey, which includes collecting radiation data from personal dosimeters, examining equipment and checking facility design for radiation equipment. The settlement requires FHA to provide each affected RN with a personal dosimeter to measure radiation exposure.
As a condition of employment, all RNs working in affected areas will be required to wear personal protective equipment which may include a lead gown, thyroid collar, radio opaque gloves and radio opaque glasses or face shield. All affected RNs also must take education during working hours about the use of personal protective equipment and about the hazards of radiation.
For complete settlement details email Pam Piddocke at ppiddocke@bcnu.org or call 604-433-2268
or 1-800-663-9991 ext 2124.
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