Regulations introduced by the HSE aimed to prevent needle stick injuries in the workplace.

The HSE has recently introduced 'The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations', which will come into effect later this month. The regulations which employers to effectively control the risks posed to employees from sharps injuries.

The legislation is the result of a European Directive announced earlier this year and hopes to help increase safety in the workplace. The terms of the regulations include requiring employers and contractors within the healthcare sector to have effective arrangements for the safe use and disposal of sharps (including using 'safer sharps' where reasonably practicable, restricting the  practice of recapping of needles and placing sharps bins close to the point of use). It also requires the provision of the necessary information and training to workers and the investigating and taking of prompt action in response to work related sharps injuries.

If you have had an injury arising from contact with a needle stick in any area of work (healthcare or otherwise) , Carrs Solicitors may be able to assist you in claiming for compensation.