June 28, 2010 Safety Engineeered Sharps July 1st deadline for all devices The July 1, 2010 deadline for Alberta Health Services and other health care employers to implement the use of safety engineered sharp devices is looming. On that date all conventional (non-safety engineered sharps) should be removed from all work sites replaced with safety engineered devices.
This legislative requirement applies to both the employer and workers. Employers are required to make the safety engineered sharps devices available and workers are required to use these devices. If there is any stock of non-safety engineered sharps devices present in your work site after July 1, 2010 you cannot continue to use these devices.
However, there are some exceptions. If there are no commercially available safety engineered devices to substitute for a specific medical sharps device then these devices can continue to be used. Attached is a list of those devices. This list will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that if a safety engineered substitute become available that device will be put into use.
In addition, staff can apply for a "waiver" in cases where there is evidence that the use of the safety engineered sharp devices for a specific procedure or application would have a adverse impact on patient health and safety. Nurses need to check with their direct supervisor to find out if there are any waivers in place for sharps devices used in their work area.
The selection and implementation of safety engineered scalples has been delayed but should be completed over the next few months.
The safety engineered sharp devices that will be in use are:
• Hypodermic Needles & Syringe/Needle Combinations • IV Catheters • Winged Infusion Catheters • Arterial Blood Gas Kits • Lancets • AV Fistula Access Needles • Implanted Port Access Needles • Insulin Pen Needles
All staff should have received training on the safe use of these new devices before July 1, 2010. If you have not received training contact you supervisor immediately to ensure that you receive appropriate training. If your supervisor fails to meet your training needs then you should contact your UNA local representative or Labour Relations Officer.
Janice Peterson Occupational Health and Safety Officer United Nurses of Alberta
Photos: Safety Engineered Sharps Devices
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