Which piece of legislation requires employers to eliminate or minimize exposure to contaminated sharps? a. bloodborne pathogens standard b. the sharps act c. needlestick safety and prevention act d. the whistleblower act

The law that requires employers to eliminate or minimize exposure to contaminated sharps is the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.

Further Explanation

The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act also known as “Needlestick Act” was a law signed on November 6, 2000 that seeks to further reduce the occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens from accidental sharps injuries in healthcare and other occupational settings. The congress thought that a development to OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard was necessary to establish in a more specific manner and in greater detail the requirement by OSHA for all employers which is that they need to identify, evaluate and implement safer medical devices. This Act also stipulated additional requirements in areas such as maintaining a sharps injury log and the involvement of non-managerial healthcare workers in evaluating and choosing devices.

Bloodborne Pathogens are microorganisms in human blood or other potentially infectious materials that can cause diseases such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and many others. Healthcare workers and other occupations that are exposed to blood are most at risk with these pathogens.  

Needlestick Act and Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

The Act directs OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to modify its Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. On January 18, 2001 OSHA published the revised standard and on April 18, 2001 the revised standard took effect. On July 17, 2001 OSHA enforced the new provisions of the standard such as:

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Keywords: Needlestick Act, Needlestick, Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, OSHA

The needlestick safety and prevention act requires employers to eliminate or minimise exposure to contaminated sharps.

Further Explanation:  

Signed on November 6th 2000, the needlestick safety and prevention act works on the principal safe needles save lives. This campaign was launched by American nurses association. In this act the employers are required to identify, evaluate and implement safer medical devices and maintain a sharp injury log. This act in sure that the occupational front in the health sector is free from blood borne pathogens and diseases. This act directs the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) to modify the blood borne pathogen standard. The revised standard of OSHA was published on 18th April 2001 and came into force on 17th July 2001.

The blood borne pathogens are the potentially infectious pathogens that cause diseases such as AIDS, HBV, HCV etc. The workers at the healthcare front are constantly exposed to pathogens via different ways of contact. One major reason for transfer of blood borne pathogens from infected patients to the workers at healthcare sector is contaminated sharp objects used at hospitals. The diseases like AIDS and HBV can also spread through other means too.

Thus, the needlestick safety and prevention act requires employers to eliminate or minimise exposure to contaminated sharps.

Learn more:

1. Learn more about occupational Safety

2. Learn more about Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

3. Learn more about OSHA

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Health

Chapter: Occupational Safety

Keywords:

Needlestick safety and prevention act, healthcare sector, bloodborne pathogens, accidental sharps, occupational settings, AIDS, HIV, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis B, hepatitis c virus, hepatitis c, OSHA.