Saskatchewan

In 2005, the Saskatchewan became the first province in Canada to announce that the use of safety-engineered hollow-bore needles would be mandatory. The regulation took effect in January, 2006 and compliance was required by July, 2006.

Health-care and correctional facilities are required to develop an exposure control plan in consultation with Joint Health and Safety Committees and to keep a sharps injury log.

Below is an excerpt from the regulation:

Selecting needle-safe devices

474.1(1) In this section and in section 474.2: (b) “needles with engineered sharps injury protections” means hollow bore needles or devices with hollow bore needles that:

1. are commercially available;
2. are approved as medical devices by Health Canada;
3. have a built-in safety feature or mechanism that eliminates or minimizes the risk of a percutaneous injury; and
4. are used for purposes that include:
1. withdrawing bodily fluids;
2. accessing a vein or artery; and
3. administering medications or other fluids;

According to the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, there has been a significant decrease in total claims as a result of needle-stick injuries since the new regulation came into effect.

For more information, please visit the Government of Saskatchewan Website.