Needlestick or sharps injuries

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The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2012 implemented the requirements of a European Directive on the prevention of sharps injuries in the healthcare sector. They require employers in the sector to make arrangements for the safe use and disposal of medical sharps, provide information and training to employees, and record, investigate and take action following a sharps injury. Healthcare workers also have a duty to promptly report any sharps injury to their employer.

The HSE has produced an information sheet for healthcare employers and employees, available from its website. This sets out the legal obligations under the regulations, explains where the regulations apply and provides practical advice on:

• the safe use and disposal of sharps;

• training requirements; and

• procedures for responding to a sharps injury.

More information about the initiative and the report can be found on the HSE website.