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Statement by the President: Signing of "the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act" (11/6/00)

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                              THE WHITE HOUSE

                       Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________________________
__
For Immediate Release
November 6, 2000


                        STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

     Today  I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5178, the Needlestick Safety
and  Prevention  Act.  This legislation requires changes in the blood-borne
pathogens  standard  in effect under the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of  1970.   Supported  by healthcare workers and their unions, as well as a
bipartisan  group of Members of Congress, this bill will help to ensure the
safety  of health care workers who may be exposed to disease while handling
certain  medical  devices.  The  Needlestick  Safety  Act makes clearer the
responsibility  of employers to lessen the risk of injuries to workers from
contaminated  sharp  devices.  It  also encourages manufacturers of medical
sharps  to  increase  the  number  of  safer  devices  in the market.  This
legislation will help to make health care occupations safer.

                                 30-30-30


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