THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
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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.
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