Good day!
I am employed as a health and safety official in my workplace and a subject of diabetics injecting themselves at work came up… Is there a law that forces the workplace to have a dedicated place, space or room (for a company bigger than 150 people) for the diabetic to go and inject himself and have the facility to dispose of needles in the correct way? Is it excitable for a employee to test and inject himself or herself at their own desk?
“Needle disposal is one of the things that are being looked at.” Putting these disposal boxes up in a toilet and expecting people to go and inject and test themselves in an unhealthy environment like a toilet… need I say more!? If the employee chose to rather use the toilet than sitting at his desk or using a allocated “clean” space ‘if he or she has access to a space like this’ that surely is his or her own preference!
So the question would then be: is the employer obligated to allocate a space for employees to self medicate whatever it is that they require to medicate… from injecting for diabetes to self cleaning a surgical wound if an employee is back at work after having surgery and need to take care of themselves.
What do you think?
– Lourens Marx
Hi there
As far as I know there is no law that obligates any company to have a dedicated facility for self medication
Sharps can be disposed of in a tin,coke bottle or any receptacle that is not easily punctured.It must be kept closed and out of reach of children.When it is full seal and take to nearest pharmacy or clins where it can be properly disposed in medical waste.If you have a dedicated facility you can use it but most Diabetics are very discreet when injecting in public places as they are used to doing injections up to 4 times a day
Thank you for your concerns and your interest in the well-being of the Diabetic
Regards
Lyn Starck
A very interesting and thought provoking comment on creating a special facility for not only diabetics to have their insulin doses, but for those that are in need for some kind of treatment or nursing. As a school teacher, i have noticed the number of school learners that are becoming dependent on insulin increasing.
Yes it will be be advisable to ensure a care centre is created in all workplaces and especially schools. this will help create better awareness as well as ensure the proper disposal of needles, bandages, plasters and the like.
Hi my son found employment at a big retail store,on application did not ask if he dibetic,was asked if health ok.he said yes.on medical form disclosed he a dibetic. HR said many ppl in work places take a pill for something,then asked him if he injects or takes a pill he answered,injects,now been accused of not disclosing his dibetetis,bt thats a lie,is been victimised for been a dibetic,cause he was verbally insulted by a regional manger for not answering back,he is a block of nerves
Yvonie, this is outrageous! I’m pretty sure it’s also illegal. I’ll ask one of our diabetes educators to give you some feedback ASAP.
As a diabetic myself. I use the toilet thats dedicated for people with disabilities. Its not ideal but its better than the normal toilet. At times when I’m lazy I just inject at my desk. Diabetes its not an easy illness to live with as it is not given the necessary attention it deserves.