Bloodborne pathogens
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Occupational Health and Safety Administration issues directive Nov. 28 for enforcing bloodborne pathogens standard that was revised in January following passage of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, which directed employers to choose safer needle devices (1"The Gray Sheet" Jan. 22, 2001, p. 24). OSHA notes that although the agency does not advocate one medical device in all instances, "ideally, the most effective way of removing the hazard of a contaminated needle is to eliminate the needle completely by converting to needleless systems"...
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OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration's bloodborne pathogens standard is revised to clarify the need for employers to select safer needle devices according to availability and involve employees in the selection process, as was mandated by the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. NSPA was passed unanimously by Congress in November 2000. The amended standard also requires employers to keep a log of injuries from contaminated sharps, and will become effective April 18, 2001