European agreement on sharps signed

17/07/09) Unions and hospital employers have signed a Europe-wide agreement to set minimum standards for preventing injuries to health workers caused by 'sharps', including needles.

The agreement, between the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) and European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association (HOSPEEM), sets common standards on risk assessments, prevention and protection, training, reporting and follow-ups.

UNISON head of health Karen Jennings signed the agreement in Brussels as president of the EPSU health committee.She said the agreement "represents tremendous progress for the European hospital social dialogue process, but most importantly it makes a clear and positive contribution to the working lives of Europe's healthcare workers."

EPSU and HOSPEEM will now ask the EU Commission to present the agreement to the council of ministers to implement it through an EU directive.