Preventing injuries to healthcare workers: EU social partners' agreement

 

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2010/32/EU — implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector concluded by HOSPEEM and EPSU

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It aims to protect healthcare workers against injuries caused by needles and other sharp instruments by implementing a framework agreement concluded by the European social partners:

• HOSPEEM (European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association) and
• EPSU (European Federation of Public Services Unions).

KEY POINTS

The agreement aims to:

• achieve the safest possible working environment;
• prevent workers’ injuries caused by all medical sharps (including needle-sticks);
• protect workers at risk;
• set up an integrated policy approach;
• put in place response and follow-up procedures.

Scope

• The agreement applies to all workers in the hospital and healthcare sector, and all who are managed and supervised by their employers.
• Employers should also make efforts to ensure that sub-contractors also follow these rules.
• Workplaces covered by the agreement include public and private healthcare organisations/services, and any other place where health services/activities are carried out under an employer's supervision and management.

Integrated approach

The agreement sets out 11 principles which form the basis of an integrated policy approach. They cover:

• risk assessment — covering all situations where there is injury, blood or other potentially infectious material;
• risk elimination, prevention and protection which includes:
  • risk elimination — establishing safe procedures for using and disposing of sharp medical instruments and contaminated waste;
  • risk prevention — developing a coherent prevention policy covering technology, organisation of work, working conditions etc;
  • risk protection — offering vaccinations and revaccinations free of charge.
• training — including on the correct use of medical devices incorporating sharps protection mechanisms, as well as inductions for new and temporary staff;
• information and awareness-raising — including highlighting risks and promoting good practices;
• monitoring and reporting procedures — revising existing procedures and requiring workers to immediately report an accident or incident;
• response and follow-up — including immediate care for an injured worker and a requirement for employers to investigate the causes and circumstances.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

The directive has applied since 21 June 2010. It had to become law in the EU countries by 11 May 2013.

BACKGROUND

The EU has introduced a number of measures to better protect workers including those:

• to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work;
• to establish minimum health and safety requirements when using work equipment;
• targeting the risks related to exposure to biological agents at work.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Directive 2010/32/EU of 10 May 2010 implementing the Framework Agreement on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector concluded by HOSPEEM and EPSU (OJ L 134, 1.6.2010, pp. 66-72)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — Part Three — Union policies and internal actions — Title X — Social policy — Article 153 (ex Article 137 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 114-116)

Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — Part Three — Union policies and internal actions — Title X — Social policy — Article 154 (ex Article 138 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 116)

Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union — Part Three — Union policies and internal actions — Title X — Social policy — Article 155 (ex Article 139 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, p. 116)

Directive 2009/104/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 260, 3.10.2009, pp. 5-19)

Directive 2000/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 262, 17.10.2000, pp. 21-45)

Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, pp. 1-8)

Successive amendments to Directive 89/391/EEC have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 12.03.2019