Ansell Healthcare Welcomes Commission's Initiative to Reduce Occupational Accidents in the EU by 25%

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) - Ansell Healthcare, a world leader in
barrier protection, welcomes the European Commission's recently
announced strategy to reduce occupational accidents and diseases in
the European Union by 25% by 2012. Ansell Healthcare, a producer of
both medical and industrial gloves, claims that huge improvements in
worker accident rates can be achieved simply by investing in hand
protection adapted to the tasks and risks specific to each
workstation. The company would like to see the set-up of an EU-wide
accreditation scheme for safety professionals and manufacturers which
is recognised across the industry.

According to Eurostat- European Statistics on Accidents at Work
(ESAW), the "upper extremities" are the parts of the body most
injured, accounting for 43.2% of all non-fatal accidents at work. "We
frequently audit large multinationals in which 7 out of 10 gloves
provided to workers do not offer the optimal protection against the
risks they are exposed to," explains Werner Heintz, Senior
Vice-President and Regional Director Europe for Ansell Healthcare.
"There is room for a great deal of worker safety improvements in the
European Union's manufacturing plants."

"Personal protective equipment is designed to improve worker
safety. What many companies, and in particular SMEs, may not realise
is that selecting comfortable gloves with the correct grip and
appropriate mechanical and chemical protection can significantly
enhance worker performance," adds Werner Heintz. "That's why gloves
should be seen not only as personal protection but as a tool to
enhance productivity."

In his press conference, Commissioner Spidla states that "the most
frequent reasons for absence from work are musculoskeletal problems".
Born of repetitive hand/wrist exertions, and exacerbated by the use
of force as a risk factor, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the
second-most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder after sprains and
strains. Ansell Healthcare-- in collaboration with the University of
Birmingham-- developed Ansell Grip Technology(TM) to reduce the
necessity for exertion, provide greater object control, safety and
productivity, and contribute to preventing the onset of occupational
injuries such as CTS. Gloves with this coating require from 34-69%
less grip force to lift an oily object. Grip Technology is one
example of how Ansell responds to the market's needs with targeted
solutions for risks of cuts, chemical exposure, extreme temperatures
and poor grip.

Healthcare workers are also considered

The European Commission's Communication states that health care is
still a particularly dangerous sector for workers. Many healthcare
workers are continuously exposed to blood borne viruses and to
dangerous substances. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), about three million healthcare workers worldwide receive
percutaneous exposures to bloodborne pathogens each year, including
hepatitis and HIV. Concerned by the high rate of preventable
infection amongst medical personnel, Ansell has launched a campaign
to promote the use of double gloving for surgical procedures, where
glove punctures occur at rates of 11-43%.[1] Double gloving reduces
by a factor of 10 the number of potential exposures. [2]

Accurate indication of how long gloves remain resistant to
penetration by viruses and chemicals results in safer guidelines for
healthcare workers. Ansell Healthcare goes beyond the standard ASTM
1671 test method with the Ansell Viral Protection Programme. The same
dynamic test methodology is used to measure permeation times for
cytostatic chemicals. Exposure to cytostatic drugs is known to cause
irreversible damage, including hormonal dysfunction, miscarriages and
congenital malformations among children born to healthcare
professionals. Ansell published a glove selection tool containing
usage guidelines on its website and distributed it to key healthcare
facilities.

A survey of UK NHS staff showed that 43% had signs or symptoms of
irritant dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis, and 10% showed
latex hypersensitivity.[3] Ansell has pioneered in developing
HydraSoft(TM) technology. This hydrating coating for medical gloves
contains moisturising agents specifically selected to help maintain
the skin's natural barrier function and to help prevent the onset of
contact dermatitis.

The company's AnsellCares programme provides free-of charge
awareness campaigns and training tools to help healthcare
professionals identify and prevent occupational diseases and
infection transmission issues in order to provide a safer environment
for the healthcare professional and the patient alike.

Towards an accreditation scheme in Europe

Manufacturers have always played a pivotal role in the creation
and revision of standards on personal protective equipment. As a
member of the main safety industry federations' associations within
Europe ( BSIF in the UK, Febelsafe in Belgium, Synamap in France, BVH
in Germany and Asepal in Spain, etc ...), Ansell Healthcare is
concerned that safety products should be carefully and knowledgably
selected and used by organisations. Along with other companies
dispensing advice and audits, the company also wants to encourage the
implementation of an accreditation scheme for safety professionals
which is recognised across the industry. This would provide customers
with the best advice and supply information in respect of safety
products and services. Ansell Healthcare would like to see such a
scheme promoted at a European level.

About Ansell:

Ansell Limited is a global leader in barrier protective products.
With operations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Ansell employs
more than 11, 000 people worldwide and holds leading positions in the
natural latex and synthetic polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell
operates in three main business segments: Occupational Healthcare,
supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional
Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare
professionals; and Consumer Healthcare, supplying condoms and
consumer hand protection. Information on Ansell and its products can
be found at http://www.ansell.eu.

Note to Editors:

For more information on the European Commission's strategy:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/emplweb/news/news_en.cfm?id=209

For more information about Ansell, please contact:
Wouter Piepers
Communications Director EMEA
tel: +32-2-528-75-68
cellular: +32-478-33-56-32
email: wpiepers@eu.ansell.com

[1] Cole R, Gault DT. Glove perforation during plastic surgery.
British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 1989;42:481-483.

[2] Preventing Disease in the operating room. Panel discussion.
American College of Surgeons Spring Meeting. April 29, 1998.

[3] Johnson G., Time to take the gloves off?, Occupational Health
(London), 1997; 49: 25-28

ots Originaltext: Ansell Healthcare Europe nv
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For more information about Ansell, please contact: Wouter Piepers,
Communications Director EMEA, tel: +32-2-528-75-68, cellular:
+32-478-33-56-32, email: wpiepers@eu.ansell.com