Needles and Sharps Awareness

Needles and sharps are a risk in far more workplaces than people may expect, from building sites to workshops, waste areas and care settings. A cut or puncture from one can do more than break the skin. It can expose you to infection, and in some cases, life-changing harm. Understanding how to handle needles and sharps safely makes most incidents avoidable.

This course covers how to spot risks, handle and dispose of sharps safely, respond correctly if an injury happens, and understand the part you and your employer play in keeping everyone safe.

Learning Objectives

Describe where and when needles and sharps may present a risk, and explain how the hierarchy of controls reduces exposure
Summarise the key legal duties for sharps, including the COSHH Regulations 2002 and the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
Explain how to handle and pass sharps safely, and why safe techniques reduce the risk of injury
Identify the correct sharps container and describe safe segregation, storage and disposal methods
Outline how to respond correctly to a sharps injury, including first aid, reporting and follow-up
Recognise the impact an injury can have and identify where to find support