EU social partners recently decided to take the bull by the horns and step up the protection that ought to be afforded to healthcare employees at the workplace. The fact that such employees are exposed to higher health risks than employees in other sectors is an undeniable fact. The recent agreement entered into by employers and trade unions in the healthcare sector seeks to alienate some of these risks by seeking to prevent or at least minimise injuries caused by needle sticks and other sharp objects as well as to reduce the risk of infections.

Indeed, in view of the pandemic that has recently engulfed the world and which has exposed employees in the healthcare sector to more health risks, the signing of this agreement could not have come at a more apposite time. More than one million injuries from needle sticks and other sharp objects occur each year becoming perhaps one of the most significant health and safety threats to the 3.5 million persons engaged in the healthcare sector across Europe.

This framework agreement has the scope of achieving the safest possible working environment for employees in the healthcare sector and of protecting workers at risk. It seeks to prevent injuries to workers caused by all types of sharp medical objects including needle sticks. The agreement also sets up an integrated approach to assessing and preventing risks for the benefit of both employer and employed.

Informing and training healthcare workers are key priorities in the objective of eliminating or reducing risks associated with the use of sharp medical objects. The reporting of any accident or incidents involving such objects by the employee to the employer or to the person responsible for health and safety at the workplace also plays a pivotal role within the context of the agreement and hence reporting procedures adopted at the workplace ought to be revised.

This agreement will now, upon the request of the social partners, be presented by the European Commission to the Council of Ministers so that it is implemented through a legislative measure and hence become binding in all EU member states. Indeed, such an agreement can be seen as yet another feather in the cap of the European social partners who, over the years, have, through dialogue, succeeded in reaching agreement over nothing less than 300 texts.

There should be no doubt that European social dialogue is indeed an efficacious tool in affording protection to employees at the workplace and in particular to those engaged in high risk sectors and this for the mutual benefit of both employers and employees.

Dr Vella Cardona is a practising lawyer and a freelance consultant in EU, intellectual property, consumer protection and competition law. She is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta.

mariosa@vellacardona.com