Needlestick or sharps injuries

The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2012 came into force on 11 May 2013, implementing the requirements of a European Directive on the prevention of sharps injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector. The new regulations require employers in the healthcare sector to introduce 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. They will also introduce a duty on healthcare workers to promptly report any sharps injury to their employer.

The HSE has produced an information sheet for healthcare employers and employees. This sets out the legal obligations under the new 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.