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OSHA News Release (Archived)
2000 - 11/11/2000 - Statement by Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman on Signing of Needlestick Safety Prevention Act

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STATEMENT OF SECRETARY OF LABOR ALEXIS M. HERMAN
ON SIGNING OF NEEDLESTICK SAFETY PREVENTION ACT
Monday, November 6, 2000
Contact: Howard Waddell
(202) 693-4650

Today, America's health care providers have been reassured that their own health is as important as their patients' health. The bill President Clinton is signing today directs an amendment to OSHA's bloodborne pathogen standard to ensure more widespread use of safer medical devices to prevent dangerous needlesticks

Each year one in seven medical professionals experiences a needlestick while caring for sick or injured patients. Safer and newer equipment that is readily available could prevent many of these injuries. Our nation's health care providers deserve effective protection against deadly and debilitating bloodborne diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis B. This legislation gives it to them by clarifying that OSHA's regulation requires employers to identify and provide safer equipment for their staffs to use.

I am especially pleased that this bill received bipartisan sponsorship and support. My sincere thanks to Representives Cass Ballenger and Major Owens and Senators James Jeffords, Michael Enzi, Ted Kennedy and Harry Reid. I particularly appreciate their working together quickly and effectively to bring this bill to the President for signature in just seven weeks.

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U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-4650.


Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and no longer represents OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.


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