The Stop Cancer at Work coalition welcomes the overwhelming vote today in the Employment Committee of the European Parliament for better protection for workers and healthcare professionals from potentially life-threatening hazardous medicinal products (HMPs). The campaign urges the European Commission… Read more
News
EBN Secretary Ian Lindsley presents at Hazardous Drugs Conference in London
The Hazardous Drugs: Best Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Institutions was held at the Wellcome Collection, London on April 21st 2023, attended by Clinical Governance Directors, Cancer Services Directors, Lead Cancer Nurses, Pharmacists and healthcare policy makers from across the… Read more
Survey: Preventing occupational exposure to Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs) in Ireland
New EU guidance on handling Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs) includes the following areas where there is a risk of occupational exposure: • Manufacturing • Reception and unpacking • Transport and storage • Preparation in pharmacies, healthcare and veterinary facilities •… Read more
EBN Presentation: Is your pharmacy ready for EU legislation?
Ian Lindsley, Secretary of the European Biosafety Network, gave a presentation to the conference of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners, ISOPP 2023, in Seville on 3 March entitled ‘Is your pharmacy ready for EU legislation?’ He spoke about… Read more
Protecting health workers from hazardous products
IAN LINDSLEY, TONY MUSU and ADAM ROGALEWSKI 9th February 2023 There is more clarity about hazardous medicinal products but awareness still needs to be raised to protect workers. Health workers need protection at all stages of the lifecycle for hazardous… Read more
Prevention of occupational cancers in the health sector, EBN with ETUI unveil list of HMPs
Two and a half years ahead of the European Commission, the ETUI with the EBN has unveiled a list of 121 hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) commonly used in the healthcare sector that can cause cancer or reproductive disorders in professionals who… Read more
ETUI Webinar: Cancer risks in healthcare workers
On 12 October, from 11-12h, CET, the ETUI is hosting a webinar on cancer risks in healthcare workers: identification of Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs). In the healthcare sector, 12.7 million workers across the EU are potentially exposed to Hazardous… Read more
ETUI Seminar on workers’ protection and chemicals
Ian Lindsley, Secretary of the EBN, attended the 18th Seminar on workers’ protection and chemicals in Zadar, Croatia from 28-29 June 2022. The seminar was organised by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and is financially supported by the European… Read more
Webinar on updating the ISO 23908 standard on safety mechanisms and the prevention of sharps injuries
22nd June 2022. Summary The webinar, chaired by Ian Lindsley, Secretary of the European Biosafety, was well-attended with over 50 attendees and strong engagement from participants. After welcoming attendees, Mr Lindsley talked through the agenda of the webinar and set… Read more
Agenda for webinar on updating the ISO 23908 standard on safety mechanisms and the prevention of sharps injuries
On 22nd June 2022, the European Biosafety Network, in partnership with the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), will host an online webinar on the prevention of sharps injuries and the… Read more
Online workshops: Guidance document for the safe management of hazardous medicinal products at work
A consortium led by RPA is developing a Guidance document for the safe management of hazardous medicinal products at work (HMPs), under contract to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL). The aim of the document… Read more
European Biosafety Network Roundtable on Prevention of Exposure to Hazardous Drugs and Reprotoxins in Belgium and Europe
The Roundtable (25/03/2022), chaired by Gitta Vanpeborgh, Belgian Federal Deputy, was well-attended with strong engagement from participants. Hanne Sanders, Adviser on Wellbeing and Safety at Work to Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of the Economy and Labour… Read more
Mental and Psychosocial Health in Healthcare; Preventing Medication Errors and Adverse Events and Disorders in Healthcare Workers
Aims and Objectives Improving the mental and psychosocial health and wellbeing of healthcare workers by understanding the causes and effects and preventing mental and psychosocial health disorders and adverse events , mainly medication errors; and by implementing traceability systems and… Read more
Highlights of the outcome of CMD4 and the new provisions of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxins Directive
Inclusion of reprotoxic substances in the scope of the new Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxins Directive (CMRD). For 12 of these substances, a binding occupational maximum exposure level limit value will be introduced in Annex III of the Directive. Inclusion of… Read more
Stop Cancer at Work Campaign welcomes progress made in protecting workers from cancer and reproductive problems at work
The Stop Cancer at Work Campaign today welcomes the provisional political agreement by the European Parliament and European Council to include for the first time greater protection and reference to reprotoxic substances and hazardous medicinal products (HMPs) in the fourth… Read more
Hazardous Drugs: Guide to Surface Monitoring
Nurses must have the greatest individual protection during the handling of hazardous drugs, guaranteeing at the same time adequate patient care, and must also be informed and trained on the risks associated with the activity they carry out, taking… Read more
ANSES report to the French government
The French health and safety agency ANSES has just published its report to the French government recommending the inclusion in French national legislation and the CMD of a list of cytostatic, or carcinogenic, drugs and agents (HMPs). They also… Read more
Stop Cancer at Work Campaign calls on European Commission to approve legislation
The Stop Cancer at Work (SCAW) Campaign calls on the European Commission to approve legislation now to protect workers and patients from getting cancer. The trilogue process with the European Council, Parliament and Commission under the Portuguese Presidency concludes today… Read more
EBN Webinar: Preventing sharps injuries, MDR and safety mechanism in medical devices
This morning the European Biosafety Network hosted a webinar on preventing sharps injuries, the MDR and safety mechanisms in medical devices. The webinar was attended by over 30 people with representation from healthcare employers, healthcare unions, expert medical professionals, inspection… Read more
European healthcare workers suffered an increase of 276,000 sharps injuries due to COVID-19
New research published today from Ipsos MORI, on behalf of the European Biosafety Network, reveals that COVID-19 led to an increase of 276,000 (23%) in the number of sharps injuries to healthcare workers in Europe over the last year. The… Read more
Stop Cancer at Work Briefing Note on Inclusion of HMPs and Reprotoxins in the CMD
Every year more than 12.7 million healthcare workers in Europe are potentially exposed to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic hazardous drugs (also known as hazardous medicinal products or HMPs). Studies show that hospital workers who handle cytotoxic (antineoplastic) drugs, used to… Read more
EBN Webinar on Preventing Sharps Injuries, MDR and Safety Mechanism in Medical Devices
Agenda – EBN Webinar (Sharps, MDR and safety mechanism in medical devices) The European Biosafety Network is hosting a webinar on preventing sharps injuries, MDR and safety mechanism in medical devices. The… Read more
Critical Care Nurses in Poor Health More Likely to Make Medical Errors
The American Journal of Critical Care has this month published an article investigating the relationship between critical care nurses’ physical and mental health, their perception of workplace wellness support and self-reported medical errors. In a 2019 survey, 771 critical care… Read more
European Biosafety Network publishes new guidance to prevent sharps injuries
Healthcare workers and patients are being put at risk not only from COVID-19 but other deadly diseases as a result of an increase in sharps injuries entirely due to the pandemic. We must act now to stop this, not least… Read more
European Parliament approves legislation to stop cancer at work
Stop Cancer at Work Campaign calls on European Commission and European Council to include hazardous drugs and reprotoxins in legislation now The European Parliament has confirmed the need for immediate legislative action – not just guidance – to stop workers… Read more
European Cancer Organisation publishes new ‘Working Against Cancer’ report
Today the European Cancer Organisation published a consensus paper conveying the critical challenges for the cancer workforce in the context of implementing Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The report, ‘Working Against Cancer: Giving Professionals the Right Tools for the Job’,… Read more
Stop Cancer at Work Campaign calls on European Commission to get on with including hazardous drugs in legislation now
Inclusion of hazardous drugs in EU legislation supported by the European Parliament, majority of Member States and consensus of stakeholders and responses to independent report published by the European Commission today The Stop Cancer at Work Campaign believes that the… Read more
European Parliament votes to stop cancer at work and include hazardous drugs and reprotoxins in the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD)
Stop Cancer at Work Campaign calls on the European Commission to work with the Parliament and Council to legislate now to prevent workplace cancer The European Parliament voted today to support the Stop Cancer at Work campaign’s demands for: Legislative… Read more
Virtual Conference on Hospital Workers Wellbeing Matters
On 23rd February 2021, the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQa) and the International Hospital Federation (IHF) held a virtual conference on hospital workers wellbeing matters. The event provided ISQa’s and IHF’s members and the wider community a global perspective on… Read more
The Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacists release guidance on the monitoring of hazardous drugs
Spanish pharmacists draw up a consensus document to govern monitoring of hazardous drugs in hospital pharmacies Ten recommendations include aspects related to the drugs to be monitored; the areas to be monitored; when samples should be taken; risk determination and… Read more
European Parliament Employment Committee Exchange of Views on CMD4 – 23 Feb 2021
Protection of workers from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work – CMD4 Speakers from the Stop Cancer at Work campaign and other experts gave presentations to the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament alongside Employment Commissioner… Read more
As part of World Patient Safety Day, the WHO produce a new charter: ‘Healthcare worker safety: a priority for patient safety’
As part of World Patient Safety Day in September 2020, the World Health Organisation presented a new Charter: ‘healthcare worker safety: a priority for patient safety’. The Charter is dedicated to the millions of health workers fighting COVID-19 across the… Read more
Medication Errors: The Second Victim
“All medication errors are potentially avoidable. They can thus be greatly reduced or even prevented by improving the systems and practices of medication, including ordering, prescription, preparation, dispensing, administration and monitoring.” World Health Organization (WHO) 2017. (1) The Problem The… Read more
Press statement for launch of Stop Cancer at Work Campaign
Today a broad coalition of professional organisations, trades unions and patient groups are launching the Stop Cancer at Work Campaign to ensure that the current fourth revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD) includes groups of… Read more
HOSPEEM-EPSU position on the European Commission study supporting the assessment of different options concerning the protection of workers from exposure to hazardous medicinal products
Source: HOSPEEM. Brussels, 24/09/2020 Every year more than 12.7 million healthcare workers in Europe, including 7.3 million nurses, are potentially exposed to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic hazardous drugs. Studies show that hospital workers who handle cytotoxic drugs are three… Read more
Position Statement on Rapid Antigen Point of Care Tests for COVID and Influenza
A number of new diagnostic tests for SARS CoV2 are being and will be launched in the coming weeks with rapid point of care antigen tests being the most important technological innovation. Some months ago, the US Federal Drug Administration… Read more
COVID and Influenza Preparedness in Europe
The COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions will continue for some time and is likely to continue to place an ongoing burden on already stretched healthcare workers and patients in Europe, which will be exacerbated if it coincides with the seasonal… Read more
COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
COVID-19 vaccination is the most important global healthcare initiative at the moment and by the end of 2020/beginning of 2021, it is expected that pharmaceutical companies will start to deliver the first vaccines in Europe but probably not enough for… Read more
EBN feedback to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
Preventing exposure to carcinogenic hazardous drugs Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan for Europe has to consider the potential benefits for workers, the healthcare system, patients and their families, by what has already identified as a preventive instrument in the roadmap, namely… Read more
Summary of European Biosafety Network Lisbon Summit
On 5 December 2019 the European Biosafety Network hosted a Summit at Infarmed in Lisbon to explore the issue of preventing the exposure of healthcare workers to hazardous drugs. Luca Scarpiello of EPSU said there is a greater need… Read more
Summary of European Biosafety Network Rome Summit
On 29 October 2019 the European Biosafety Network held a Summit at the Italian Ministry of Health in Rome to discuss the exposure of healthcare workers to hazardous drugs. The Summit was split into three sessions including a keynote… Read more
Castilla-La Mancha hazardous drugs exposure prevention guidelines published by EBN
Guidelines published in August 2018 by the Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM) have been translated and published in English by the EBN. The guidelines cover all aspects of the dangers of exposure to hazardous drugs, along with prevention measures… Read more
EBN observatory on current biosafety practice in European Oncology reveals shortfalls in hospital safety standards across the EU
Click here to download report: Observatory on current biosafety practice in European Oncology More information on the observatory, including the data and conclusions by country, can be found here A report commissioned by the European… Read more
EBN holds roundtable in the European Parliament on the prevention of exposure to hazardous drugs
The roundtable attracted more than 40 attendees from across the EU On Thursday 7th March, the European Biosafety Network (EBN) organised a roundtable of more than 40 participants in the European Parliament on the prevention of exposure to hazardous drugs… Read more
