Occupational Exposure/Sharps Safety
Objective
To raise awareness of the safe management and disposal of sharps, and the correct response to occupational exposure.
Further information: Preventing Infection Workbook - Page 39
Why is Safe Management of Sharps Important?
Sharps are items that could cause cuts or puncture wounds, including needles and other sharp instruments. Improper handling can lead to injury and exposure to bloodborne viruses (BBVs).
It is the responsibility of the user to dispose of sharps safely into a designated sharps container.
Good Practice to Prevent Needlestick or Sharps Injury
- Use needle safety devices where appropriate.
- Take sharps containers to the point of use, e.g., using an injection tray with integral sharps container.
- Never recap used needles due to high risk of injury.
- Dispose of needle and syringe as one unit directly into a sharps container; never attempt to remove the needle.
- Request assistance when using sharps with reluctant or confused residents.
- Ensure sharps boxes are dated, signed, and labelled with the assembler's name, closer's name, and the care/nursing home.
Always select the correct colour coded sharps container:
Purple lid with matching purple labelled container: for the disposal of sharps contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines
Orange lid with matching orange labelled container: for the disposal of sharps not contaminated with medicines
Yellow lid with matching yellow labelled container: For the disposal of sharps contaminated with medicines
Resources
Managing Occupational Exposure / Blood Splash or Sharps Injury Flowchart. Safe Management of Sharps Decision Tree (PDF, 100 KB)
Key References and Further Guidance Links:
PHW Sharps Policy: https://phw.nhs.wales/about-us/policies-and-procedures/policies-and-procedures-documents/risk-management-health-and-safety-and-estates-policies/exposure-injury-and-safe-management-of-sharps-policy/
Managing Occupational Exposures: Bloodborne viruses in healthcare workers: managing and reducing risks - GOV.UK
