April 4, 2008 |
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AN OFFER TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!
WHAT WAS WALBERG THINKING?
PLAN TO ATTEND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE
MERCURY EXPOSURE
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AN OFFER TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!
Imagine this: you drive to the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi on Thursday, May 1. Beginning in the morning you hear the latest information on protecting your back, knowing when to delegate responsibilities, lateral violence in the workplace, and your whistleblower protection rights, gaining 4.0 contact hours in the process. Then you eat lunch courtesy of MNA and get a FREE TICKET to enter the Women's Expo for the rest of the day! All for the incredibly low price of $15 for MNA members, $20 for non-members! But that's not all! By showing your RN badge to various exhibitors on Nurses Day (Thursday, May 1), you'll receive special nurse-only discounts during the Expo! All the details including an on-line registration form can be found here or on the MNA homepage. Pack a car up and come join us for Nurses Day at the Women's Expo!
WHAT WAS WALBERG THINKING?
Congressman Tim Walberg of the Michigan 7th Congressional District made the statement this week that everyone in the United States has health care - all they have to do is go to the emergency room. Find out how MNA responded by reading our press release here.
PLAN TO ATTEND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE
The Michigan AFL-CIO Health and Safety Conference will be held on May 15 and 16 at Cobo Hall in Detroit as part of the America at Work 2008 Union Industries Show. Topics include: ergonomics, asbestos awareness, violence in the workplace, MIOSHA information, and effective health and safety communications. The conference ends on Friday morning with the ribbon cutting and opening of the Show. MNA will pay for a limited number of registrations on a first come, first served basis. To sign up and for more information, contact Joyce Losen at 888.MI.NURSE, ext. 232.
MERCURY EXPOSURE
The Michigan Department of Community Health Division of Environmental Health has responded to two large mercury spills (more than one pound, which is about two tablespoons) in medical clinics within the last month. The spills were caused by broken mercury sphygmomanometers (blood pressure devices), causing evacuation of the buildings, employee medical testing, closure of the clinics until cleanup was complete, and thousand of dollars in cleanup costs. Mercury is a neurotoxin. Short-term (several hours) exposure to high levels of mercury vapor can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes. Mercury spilled on a hot surface, such as a stove or heater, can quickly produce high concentrations of mercury vapor that can lead to death. Extended exposure to lower levels of mercury vapor can cause brain damage, memory loss, tremors, numbness in the fingers and toes, mood changes and kidney damage. Poison Control Centers have reported treating people, most often children, who showed symptoms after being exposed to mercury from broken fever thermometers or other sources. MDCH urges medical providers and the general public to replace mercury containing devices with those that do not contain mercury. For more information, contact MDCH at 1-800-648-6942.
Check out the MNA Events Calendar for all upcoming events and activities!