S.L. 465.11 Art. 9Elimination, prevention and protection. S.L. 424.25

Where the results of the risk assessment carried out in terms of regulation 8 reveal a risk of injuries by medical sharps and, or infection, workers’ exposure shall be eliminated by implementing the following measures:

(a) the specification and implementation of safe procedures for the use and disposal of sharp medical instruments and contaminated waste; such procedures shall be regularly reassessed and shall form an integral part of the measures for the information and training of workers referred to in this Order;

(b) the elimination of the unnecessary use of sharps by implementing changes in practice and on the basis of the results of the risk assessment, providing medical devices incorporating safety-engineered protection mechanisms;

(c) the banning of the practice of recapping with immediate effect;

(d) the placing of effective disposal procedures and clearly marked and technically safe containers for the handling of disposable sharps and injection equipment as close as possible to the assessed areas where sharps are being used or to be found;

(e) the prevention of the risk of infections by implementing safe systems of work, by:

(i) developing a coherent overall prevention policy, which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, work related psycho-social factors and the influence of factors related to the working environment;

(ii) providing the necessary training;

(iii) conducting health surveillance procedures, as provided by the Protection of Workers from

Risks related to Exposure to Biological Agents at Work Regulations; and

(f) the use of personal protective equipment.