Course: Sharps Awareness

A “sharp” is anything that can puncture, cut or lacerate the skin. For example, a hypodermic needle, a utility knife or broken glass.

All sharps have the potential to cause injury through cuts or puncture wounds. In addition, many sharps are contaminated with blood or body fluids, posing a serious risk of spreading infection or bloodborne diseases like HIV or Hepatitis.

In light of these serious risks, the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 requires that employers ensure the risk of injury and infection by sharps is minimised as much as possible.

This Sharps Awareness ecourse will teach employees the best practices for the safe and responsible use and disposal of sharps.

This course is suitable for anyone working in an industry where they could be exposed to sharps.

The course will cover:

• What is a sharp?
• How sharps can affect you
• How to safely use and dispose of sharps
• Employer and employee responsibilities

• Employers will be legally compliant with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013.
• Proper sharps training will reduce the risk of injury or infection that sharps pose to workers and those outside of your workforce.
• In the event of a sharps related injury, all workers will know the correct measures to take to mitigate the damage.