Accessibility statement

Sharps

Key points of note

  • Avoid the use of sharps (e.g. needles, scalpels) wherever possible
  • Justify the use of sharps involving hazardous materials (e.g. chemicals or materials containing biological agents) as part of a prior written risk assessment
  • All users of sharps, such as needles and scalpels, to be instructed on safe handling practices to follow as part of on-the-job training
  • Never recap or resheath a needle unless absolutely necessary
  • Dispose of needles immediately after use
  • Use 'single use' scalpels, avoiding the need to change the blade
  • Report all sharps accidents with the potential for exposure to hazardous infectious agents immediately to the Occupational Health Advisor (Ext. 2026 / 2020)

Injuries & infections from sharps

Glass or sharps have been responsible for a number of injuries to laboratory workers in this department. Most sharps accidents have resulted in relatively minor injuries involving the use of non-hazardous substances. However, sharps accidents can cause serious injuries, or illness as a result of infection.

The use of sharps and glass items should be avoided wherever possible, especially in biohazard containment laboratories handling infectious microorganisms or materials (e.g. blood and human tissues) which may contain them. Sharps injuries involving the use of blood or human tissues can lead to life threatening infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

Most incidents involving the use of sharps can be avoided with good management systems in place. This includes good initial instruction and training on correct procedures to follow (for example, good practices to follow for handling needles), along with ongoing supervision and monitoring.