HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS : MEPS WANT LAW TO PROTECT HEALTH WORKERS FROM NEEDLESTICK INJURIES.

Europe Environment, April, 2006

Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs made use of a relatively uncommon procedure on 20 April. On the basis of Article 39 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure, they asked the European Commission to bring forward a legislative initiative within three months to protect healthcare workers against the risks of infection from contaminated needles.

Every year, around a million workers in Europe, mainly in the medical world, suffer injuries from used surgical needles. The consequences can be serious, including infections from HIV or hepatitis B or C, according to MEPs, who believe many of theseaaccidental 'needlestick injuries' could be prevented if appropriate measures were made compulsory in medical and veterinary services....

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