Two More States Require Safety-Needle Devices

The governors of Maine and Georgia have signed safety-needle laws to help protect healthcare workers from potentially fatal needlestick injuries. The two states join California, New Jersey, Texas, Maryland, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Tennessee in adopting laws regarding safety needles. Legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Some of the state laws require stricter policies than those recommended by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Studies estimate over 800,000 medical sharps injuries occur each year.