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NEEDLE STICK HAZARDS - SHARPS
Needlestick hazards include hypodermic needles, lancets, razor/scalpel blades, or any other instrument which could
result in puncture injuries, damage to skin etc. The main risk associated with a needlestick injury is the acquisition of
blood borne viruses such as HIV (AIDS) and Hepatitis B or C.
SAFETY RULES
Never put your hands where you cannot see or run fingers behind toilets, wash basins, cupboards.
Never put your hand into bins.
Never pick up a sharp with your bare hands.
Contact your supervisor or the client (depending on what has been previously arranged).
When disposing of sharps:
- put on gloves that are thick enough to provide protection;
- use tongs to pick up a needle or syringe and put it in a sharps container;
- do not hold (or have someone else hold) the container while you are putting a syringe into it -
put the container on the floor;
- once the container is ¾ full make sure that you secure the cap, and notify your supervisor that it
needs to be replaced.
Make sure that nobody else could get hurt by the sharp.
if you are injured by a sharp (cut, scratch, prick, any mark on your skin) you MUST report this to your
supervisor immediately and keep the syringe so that it can be tested for infection if required.
PROCESS
Any person sustaining an injury from a syringe should;
1. Report the incident immediately, keeping the syringe or object for testing if necessary;
2. If not vaccinated against Hepatitis B, be appropriately vaccinated. Various other treatments may also
be needed;
3. The hospital or medical facility will attempt to find out whether or not the syringe is infected;
4. HIV screening may be offered to the injured employee. Counselling shall be provided during this
period;
5. If the syringe is known to be infectious with a blood borne disease, appropriate procedures and
treatment will be recommended by the treating doctor.
FIRST AID PROCEDURES
1. Wash immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Inform your supervisor as soon as possible, keeping the syringe for testing.
3. Seek immediate medical advice.