RCW 70.41.390 mandates hospitals establish and implement a safe patient handling program. The purpose of this section is to guide hospital management in developing and implementing that program.

The hospital must:

(1) Develop and implement a safe patient handling policy that includes:

(a) A patient handling hazard assessment;

(b) An annual performance evaluation of the program;

(c) Procedures for hospital staff to follow who refuse to perform or be involved in patient handling or movement based upon exposing the staff or patient to an unacceptable risk of injury; and

(d) The types of equipment and devices used as part of the program;

(2) Conduct annual staff training on all safe patient handling policies, procedures, equipment and devices; and

(3) Not discipline a hospital employee who in good faith follows the procedure for refusing to perform or be involved in the patient handling.