ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To identify work-related accidents with biological material among the nursing staff of General Hospital of Palmas (HGP) in Tocantins state, Brazil, and to assess underreporting in its Worker's Safety and Health Service (SST). METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study that used a self-reported questionnaire answered by 91% of the nursing staff (389 nurses) between August and September 2007. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy eight (45.7%) nurses reported accidental exposure to biological material, caused by puncture or lacerating objects (55.6%) and by fluids (44.4%). One hundred and six (59.9%) of them were nursing assistants, 57 (32%) were healthcare assistants, and 15 (8.4%) were nurses. Considering the whole nursing staff (n = 389), including both who had and who did not have accidents, healthcare assistants were the ones who most frequently suffered such accidents (54.3%), followed by the nursing assistants (49.8%) and nurses (21.1%). Among 178 professionals accidentally exposed to biological material, 95 (53.3%) had worked between one to five years in the hospital, while 39 (21.9%), for more than 10 years. Out of 178, only 64 accidents were recorded at the SST, resulting in 64% of underreporting. CONCLUSION: these findings indicated the need to reformulate the procedures for reporting and assisting the injured workers, with the effective participation of nursing staff in this reformulation.
occupational injuries; nursing staff; accidental puncture and laceration
