Senator Lifts Hold on Needlestick Injury Bill

Oct. 16, 2000
Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., lifted his hold late Thursday on\r\nbipartisan legislation to protect health care workers from deadly\r\nneedlestick injuries, clearing the way for Senate consideration this\r\nweek.

Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., lifted his hold late Thursday on bipartisan legislation to protect health care workers from deadly needlestick injuries, clearing the way for Senate consideration this week.

Using a traditional privilege afforded all senators, Bunning had put a "hold" on the legislation at the request of a Lexington, Ky., company, MedPro Inc., that makes needle disposal equipment.

The legislation, which passed the House two weeks ago, would require hospitals and health care facilities to consider using safer medical devices to reduce the number of needle-related injuries.

Retractable needles and devices that automatically cover needle tips after they have been used are examples of such devices.

OSHA supports the legislation as an improvement in workplace safety.

In exchange for lifting the hold, Bunning said OSHA had agreed to go on record as saying that needle destruction devices continue to reduce the risk of injuries.

Members the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have led the fight for safer needles by winning legislation in 15 states.

Now they are gearing up to extend safeguards to health care workers in all 50 states by helping to pass the Senate bill.

"The Senate must act now to prevent other health care workers from suffering like I am," said Ellen Dayton, a former registered nurse and member of SEIU Local 790 in San Francisco who contracted HIV and hepatitis C from an accidental needlestick.

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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