National News Release: USDL: 00-134
Monday, May 8, 2000
Contact: BONNIE FRIEDMAN 202-693-1999

National Nurses Week is a time to thank the 2.1 million women and men who dedicate themselves to caring for others. We depend on these hard working people every day when we are too weak or too sick to take care of ourselves. While they care for us, it is important to ensure that the health of these important care-givers is also protected. Many nurses and nurses' aides face a serious risk of injury themselves as they assist and handle patients.

I particularly want to thank the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses for their tireless efforts to promote safe and healthy work environments for their members and all workers. They have been at the forefront of identifying and promoting strategies to reduce the risks of many occupational injuries, such as musculoskeletal disorders.

We applaud them and thank them for their work.

U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at: http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202)219-7773 or TTY (202) 501-3915.