EU laws protect healthcare workers from sharps injuries

NHS employers and workers must be wary of the European legislation relating to the prevention of injuries from sharp medical devices.

These incidents can lead to infections such as HIV or Hepatitis B or C being passed onto staff and, even when no infection is caused, psychological trauma and significant stress can be caused.

Statistics indicate that sharps injuries represent 17 per cent of NHS staff injuries, just behind harm that is caused by moving and handling, which accounts for 18 per cent.

From 1996 to 2009, the Health Protection Agency obtained reports of 17 healthcare workers who had contracted the Hepatitis C virus due to occupational exposure.

This new EU legislation came into force on May 11th 2013 and will apply to all employers, employees and contractors in the NHS, voluntary, private and independent sectors.

Furthermore, the law will apply to healthcare students, along with community and hospital pharmacies.

Elisabetta Zanon, director of the NHS European Office, said: “The NHS European Office and the NHS Employers organisation have worked closely with the Health and Safety Executive and with employers’ organisations and trade unions in Europe, to try to ensure that the new EU rules are sensible and workable for the NHS.

“The new EU regulations will help employers and staff to take the right action when an injury occurs to help minimise harm and learn the lessons of how to help prevent injury in the future.”

Ms Zanon also noted that the NHS will persuade employers to promote safe use and disposal of medical sharps, while providing adequate training and information for employees to ensure their procedures are up to date.

Dean Royles, chief executive of the NHS Employers organisation, also stated that the NHS takes its responsibility to protect staff very seriously, adding that the new regulations will improve safety for healthcare workers across the UK.