New needlestick injury guidance

Health and safety professionals have been given advice on how new laws can help them reduce needle, scalpel blade and other sharps injuries in the healthcare industry.

New UK and EU laws coming into force this spring require employers to provide better protection against accidents caused by this equipment, according to IOSH.

The regulations are designed to reduce needlestick and other sharps injuries, at the same time preventing healthcare staff from being exposed to the diseases and infections they may carry.

The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 implement the EU Directive 2010/2013 on preventing sharps injuries in the hospital and health and social care sector, introducing new and updated measures to protect staff. This includes a requirement to provide safer needle systems, warding against injury to those using needle devices, as well as anyone involved in laundry, decontamination and waste management.

To see a summary of the new directive, go to: needle safety.

Posted by Tim Sandle