Measures Introduced to Protect NHS Staff from Injuries Due to Sharps
The injuries which are caused to the workers of the National Health Service due to various sharp instruments and needles are almost one hundred thousand per year. Many NHS workers die due to injuries caused by sharp instruments. The damage caused by the sharps and needles cause mental distress and the workers run the risk of contracting fatal diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.
Due to the high number of needle related injuries, the European Union has formulated strict guidelines to protect the employees from this risk. The guidelines focus on the healthcare staff that is prone to the risk of suffering from such injuries. Make sure your organisation is aware of its health and safety obligations and has a clear understanding of its statutory duties with a well regarded NEBOSH national general certificate course (NEBOSH distance); specifically designed to help those with health and safety responsibilities to carry out their duties at work more effectively and to protect the organisations for which they work.
The Head of Health at UNISON, Karen Jennings, has been at the forefront of discussions in the EU between the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) (an association of employers’ of healthcare staff) and HOSPEEM. The framework agreement between these parties is for the purpose of ensuring that the injuries caused due to the unhygienic sharps are reduced by safeguarding the workers who are prone to such risks.
Jennings expressed her pleasure at the results achieved by the determined effort of the unions to find a way to stop the injuries caused to the workers by the sharps and needles. According to her, more hygienic needles must be obtained so that the large workforce of NHS does not get harmed. Safer needles help in reducing costs as the money spent on treating someone who is hurt is much more than preventing such injuries. Also, loss occurs due to compensation and sickness absence for an injured worker.
