NIOSH, OSHA Seek Comments on Needle Sticks Bulletin
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA have jointly published a safety and health information bulletin (NIOSH 2007-132 and OSHA SHIB # 03-23-2007) designed to help protect surgical personnel from needle stick injuries while using suture needles.
The bulletin, available on the OSHA Web site at http://www.OSHA.gov/dts/shib/shib032307.html and on the NIOSH website at http://www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/docs/2007-132/, describes the hazards of sharp-tip suture needles; presents evidence of the effectiveness of blunt-tip needles in decreasing injuries; and emphasizes OSHA's requirement to use appropriate, available, and effective safer medical devices.
If you have any technical comments or are aware of any new data, research, or information relevant to this topic, please submit them to the NIOSH Docket Number NIOSH-106, using one of the options listed below. If you have any questions about the information bulletin, please contact Walter Alarcon at 513-841-4451 or email [email protected]. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. EDT on July 27, 2007.
To submit comments to the NIOSH Docket Number NIOSH-106, please use one of these options: