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    Spain · National · Order

    Order ESS/1451/2013 · Preventing sharps injuries in healthcare

    In force; specific healthcare prevention rules

    Current official Spanish title: Orden ESS/1451/2013, de 29 de julio, por la que se establecen disposiciones para la prevención de lesiones causadas por instrumentos cortantes y punzantes en el sector sanitario y hospitalario.

    Original publication and analysisELI identifier
    On this page
    1. What it regulates
    2. Who it applies to
    3. Key provisions
    4. History and versions
    5. Transitional provisions and application notes
    6. Official BOE legal relationships
    7. Official sources
    8. Explore the concepts in Sabentis Explore

    What it regulates

    Sets measures to prevent injuries and infections from medical sharps. It combines risk assessment, eliminating unnecessary use, safer devices, training and post-exposure care.

    Who it applies to

    Public and private hospital and healthcare sectors: workers under the employer’s direction, including temporary agency staff and trainees covered by Article 2.

    Key provisions

    Assessment must consider exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material and the circumstances of the work.

    Article 5

    Eliminate unnecessary sharps use and introduce safe procedures and safety-engineered devices according to the assessment.

    Article 6

    Recapping needles is prohibited; disposal requires safe procedures and containers.

    Article 6.1.c

    Information and periodic training cover risks, correct use, disposal, vaccination and action after accidents; content is updated when needed.

    Articles 7 and 8

    Report incidents immediately and activate response, care and follow-up protocols; record and analyse causes to prevent recurrence.

    Articles 9 and 10

    History and versions

    Initial publication: 31/07/2013 · Initial entry into force: 01/08/2013

    BOE-A-2013-8381

    Published on 31 July 2013, it implements sharps-injury prevention and transposes Directive 2010/32/EU. The official record consulted lists no subsequent provisions; this does not mean it exhausts all applicable law.

    This record links to the original publication and subsequent instruments. No separate consolidated BOE text has been identified for this instrument.

    Transitional provisions and application notes

    • Vaccination is offered where assessment identifies exposure to agents with an effective vaccine; it is free and does not replace other preventive measures.

      Article 6.3–4

    • Entry into force: 1 August 2013. This entry uses the original publication and does not offer a separate consolidated text.

      Final provision third

    Official BOE legal relationships

    Relationships may affect only specific provisions. They do not by themselves determine the status of the whole instrument: consult its history and application notes.

    Earlier references (4)

    Official sources

    Official sources checked on 14/11/2026. Updating a database record does not by itself mean that the legislation has been amended.

    1. BOE-A-2013-8381
    2. ELI identifier

    Official sources checked on 14 November 2026. The original publication and subsequent provisions determine the legal scope; consolidation, where available, is informative. The editorial history focuses on OSH-relevant relationships and does not replace the sources.

    Sabentis editorial translation; it is not an official translation and does not replace the official text.

    Editorial information

    Publication date: 14 November 2026.

    Editorial responsibility: Sabentis editorial team.

    Editorial review by Pablo RodríguezLinkedIn

    Executive Vice President of the International ORP Foundation and Chief Financial Officer of Sabentis.

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