The Ministry of Labour along with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently began a joint consultation on a proposed extension of the scope of Ontario's Needle Safety Regulation.
The purpose of the consultation is to:
- Seek input from our stakeholders on how to implement the proposed extension of O. Reg. 474/07 to the following additional health care workplaces by April 1, 2009:
- Long-term care homes,
- Designated psychiatric facilities not captured in the current regulation (i.e., those that provide out-patient and other services under the Mental Health Act),
- Laboratories and
- Specimen collection centres; and
- Ensure that any changes to the O. Reg. 474/07 are done in consultation with industry and labour stakeholders in order to support effective implementation of the regulation, which will help prevent front-line health care workers from suffering needle stick injuries.
The HRPA of Ontario is interested in hearing the views of members who work in the health care sector. Given the specific nature of the subject matter of the consultation, HRPA will only take a position if sufficient feedback is received. Please forward your comments to either Lee Davies or Nancy Brandon by July 7.
For more information please go to: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/about/consultation/needlesafety/index.html