Workers in Irish hospitals and across the healthcare sector are now worse off than their EU counterparts because Ireland has failed to meet the deadline for transposition of a key EU Directive aimed at preventing 'needle stick' and other injuries from 'sharps', Congress has warned.
The deadline for transposition of the EU Sharps Directive was May 11, while May 12 marked International Nurses Day.
Congress Legal Affairs Officer Esther Lynch said: 'sharps and needle stick injuries are a silent epidemic as they are notoriously unreported. Estimates for Ireland range from 1,000 to 6,000 injuries a year. A 2011 report by the INMO revealed that one in three nurses suffered needlestick injuries.
'the EU Sharps Directive (2010/32/EU) is designed to protect healthcare personnel through increased safety precautions, safer working procedures and crucially, by switching to safely engineered medical devices that shield or retract the needle, or other sharps after use. The Directive unambiguously bans the practice of 'recapping' with immediate effect.
"A sharp contaminated by infected blood can transmit more than 20 diseases including hepatitis B, C and HIV. Victims of needle stick injuries often suffer many months of anguish and uncertainty as they await results. There are also significant health effects associated with post injury prophylactic medications and treatment," Ms Lynch said.
She pointed out that under the EU legal principle of 'Direct Effect' employers have responsibilities when the deadline for transposition has passed.
"Acting now is essential. The Directive requires a partnership approach and the Health & Safety Committee of Congress is recommending the establishment of Needlestick & Sharps injury prevention committees to oversee the implementation of the Directive. These committees should include representatives from all levels, employers and unions including health and safety representatives, occupational health, risk management,purchasing,
She said that the Directive applies to all workers in healthcare regardless of their occupation but 'there are some deadly exceptions, such as prison officers, refuse collectors, teachers, tattoo artists and thousands of other workers who may come across carelessly or maliciously discarded hypodermic needles.
"Congress is urging Minister Richard Bruton to extend the Directives protection to all workers at risk of needlestick or sharps injury," Ms Lynch explained.
Notes
INMO survey data http://www.
Summary of Directive and its implementation http://www.
Information about May 12th international nurses day: https://www.icn.ch/
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