Sharps Awareness

Sharps Awareness Training

Understanding the Risks of Sharps in Various Industries

While sharps injuries are often associated with medical and care staff, they are also a significant concern in other sectors, such as waste disposal. This course aims to dispel the misconception that sharps risks are confined to healthcare settings.

Comprehensive Overview of Sharps

Our Sharps Awareness course begins with:

• Statistics on Discarded Needles: Presenting data to highlight the prevalence of sharps litter.
• Defining ‘Sharps’: Expanding on what constitutes sharps, including needles, syringes, scalpel blades, broken glass, knives, scissors, and nails.
• Types of Sharps Litter: An in-depth look at different kinds of sharps that may be encountered.

Risks, Responsibilities, and Pathogens

The course covers various essential aspects:

• Primary and Secondary Risks: Understanding the immediate and subsequent risks associated with sharps.
• Employer Responsibilities: Exploring how employers must assess and mitigate risks.
• Focus on Hepatitis B, C, HIV, and Tetanus: Detailed information about these diseases in the context of sharps injuries.
• The Chain of Infection: Learning how infections spread and ways to break this chain.

Learning Objectives

By completing this course, participants will:

1. Recognise the Broad Safety Implications of Sharps: Understand the risks in both clinical and non-clinical settings.
2. Identify Injuries and Infections from Sharps: Be aware of the potential injuries and infections resulting from sharps usage.
3. Understand Employer Risk Assessments: Gain insights into employer responsibilities and actions to take in case of injury.
4. Define the Chain of Infection: Comprehend how infections from sharps can spread.
5. Effectively Handle and Dispose of Sharps: Demonstrate the safe use of equipment and techniques for sharps handling and disposal.

Course Structure