Injuries caused by needles and other sharp instruments are one of the most common and serious risks to healthcare workers. With 40,000 incidents reported each year (and at least as many unreported), this is a major cause for concern for the NHS. The Directive on the Prevention from Sharp Injuries in the Hospital and Healthcare sector aims to reduce such incidents by achieving the safest possible working environment.
The Directive has now been published in the Official Journal of the European Union and EU countries will have until 11 May 2013 to implement the new provisions.
What is the Directive?
The Directive gives legal effect to a framework agreement concluded by the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association (HOSPEEM) and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) through the social dialogue process which allows representatives of employers and workers to negotiate agreements on matters relating to employment and social affairs.
What is the purpose of the Directive?
The purpose of the Directive is:
Who does the Directive apply to?
All workers and employees, as well as students and trainees, that are under the managerial authority and supervision of the employer are covered by this agreement.
What should NHS organisations be doing?
The healthy workplaces section of this website includes information on actions NHS organisations can take now to move towards compliance on the sharps agreement page and on our needlestick injury page more information about the UK situation.