The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has welcomed the establishment of a new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The INMO said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney has confirmed to it that the committee will be established before the end of the year.
The union said it met Mr Coveney and Minister of State Neale Richmond on the issue in May, adding that it has long called for such a committee in light of the often dangerous conditions that nurses and midwives work in.
"It is not acceptable that over ten nurses and midwives are physically, verbally or sexually assaulted every single day all while working in overcrowded and understaffed wards," said INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.
"The work of the HSA has been transformative in the construction and farming sectors."
"We look forward to strong worker representation in the work of the new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee," Ms Ní Sheaghdha said.
"Ensuring a safer workplace will go a long way to improving the retention levels in the health service," she added.
