Nursing unions say they want to see more action from the Health and Safety Authority when it comes to protecting them from assault.
The INMO was among the representatives which attended an event to mark Worker's Memorial Day at the Garden of Remembrance.
It heard how health and social work accounted for a significant number of the 2-thousand 162 work-related injuries and illnesses this year.
Karen McGowan from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says hospital overcrowding makes the issue more difficult to manage:
"Up to 10 nurses and midwives every day are assaulted in their line of work. I've been assaulted. There are many people that have been assaulted in in their work, and you don't expect to be assaulted in your work. That's why we're calling on the HSA to support us in healthcare, and future proof our workplaces that we can deal with this unprecedented level of violence and aggression that can potentially happen in overcrowded areas".
