Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) can be transmitted through injuries with blood contaminated sharps such as needles and injecting equipment.
The use of sharps cannot be avoided in some services and industries, for example:
- healthcare
- tattooing and body piercing
- beauty treatment
- chiropody
For healthcare organisations, please refer to the guidance on needlestick or sharps injuries in the health and social care services.
Handling sharps safely
If an activity requires the use of sharps:
- consider whether a safer sharp device could be used
- risk assess work activities with sharps to identify how an injury could be sustained
- do not bend or force needles
- consider the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as puncture-resistant gloves or finger coverings in conjunction with sharps use
- consider the use of equipment that removes the sharp from the vicinity of hands, for example using a needle holder or forceps
- ensure sharps, such as needles, are pointing away from hands or any areas of the body while handling them
- train employees in using and disposing of sharps, and responding to any needlestick or sharps injuries
Disposing of used sharps
Needles and other sharps used in healthcare or other environments should not be re-used, re-sheathed or re-capped.
Once an activity has been completed, dispose of the needle immediately in a sharps container. If re-capping is required, risk assess carefully to ensure that this requirement is essential and implement control measures such as re-capping devices.
Needles and syringes collected in public places have also been proven as a source of BBV contamination. Never handle these materials, but if you find them you must inform the local authority and request a clinical waste collection.
Those working in the refuse collection and recycling industry should be aware of the risks from discarded needles and measures to prevent accidental exposure.