NEEDLESTICK INJURIES PREVENTION

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Marion Bishop
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1 Health & Safety Guidance Children & Younger Adults Department NEEDLESTICK INJURIES PREVENTION Review Date Changes Required Name & Position Health & Safety Section Children & Younger Adults Department Block C Chatsworth Hall Chesterfield Road Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3FW Telephone: Fax:

2 Needlestick Injuries - Prevention Introduction Needlestick injuries are skin punctures caused by hypodermic needles. The risk of exposure to needlestick injuries are generally through the careless and/or malicious disposal of needles. The Risk The main risks are from Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Hepatitis viruses are more infectious than HIV and may also be fatal. The actual risk of infection depends on:- whether the needle was used by a person infected with Hepatitis or HIV virus; how much material enters the blood stream; how long since the needle was discarded; in the case of Hepatitis B, whether or not the injured person is immune. There may also be a risk of Tetanus if the needle has been contaminated by soil. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) apply to the risk of infection from needlestick injuries at work. Who Might Be Affected Unfortunately there is the potential for anyone to be at risk from needlestick injury from discarded hypodermic needles including staff, pupils, parents and visitors. The risk of this occurring depends on a number of things e.g. type of grounds (how easy is it for drug users to hide in grounds) and use of grounds. The most likely people to be injured are caretakers/cleaners (particularly when they inspect playgrounds, sports fields on a daily basis), and staff designated to remove such items. Preventative Measures Thankfully discarded needles/syringes on education establishment grounds are a reasonably rare occurrence, however it is important that schools/educational establishments have in place procedures to deal with them should they be discovered. Establishments will need to firstly carry out an assessment of likely exposure to a discarded needle/syringe. The assessment will need to address questions such as:- Is there is a known problem with drug use or discarded needles/syringes in the area? Is there any history of needles/syringes being discarded on site? Needlestick Injuries 2

3 If the initial assessment or a subsequent event (eg needle being found on site) establishes a likelihood of exposure to discarded needles/syringes then a further assessment will need to be carried out identifying: Which locations have they been found in (eg specific areas, hidden/left in open)? Have any been positioned in such a way as to cause deliberate injury? What measures if any are in place to prevent, or control, needles being discarded on site (eg site securely fenced, regular inspection of site, removal of shrubs, removal of areas used of needle stashes)? Are staff, pupils and parents aware of what to do if a discarded needle/syringe is discovered (eg do not touch, clear area, report it)? Have staff been identified who are most likely to be at risk? Have staff been identified to deal with discarded needles/syringes? Schools/educational establishments will need to have a safe system for disposal of any syringes/needles should they be discovered. This information and relevant instructions must be communicated to any staff designated to carry out this task. The following guidance can be used to formulate a safe system for your establishment. General All hypodermic needles/syringes found on site must be treated as being used and therefore potentially contaminated with the risk of infection should a needlestick injury occur. Be aware that, as well as being discarded in open locations, needles could also (and often are) discarded in bins, drains, old drinks cans etc. In no circumstances should staff place hands into bins to, for example, clear rubbish or force down bags to make more space. Care should also be taken when carrying rubbish. If it is from external bins, it is preferable to transport in the rigid bin where possible (or some rigid container) rather than to carry a black bag type bin liner. If rubbish is to be transported in black bag type liners, they should be held away from the body. If bags are too heavy, seek help. Avoid the need to transfer waste from one bag to another. If you are going to work in areas where there is the potential for contact with discarded needles/syringes it is sensible to carry out a quick visual search of the area prior to its use. This is particularly important in areas with a known history of or a known problem with discarded sharps (Examples could be playing fields and wooded areas). (Never search areas with hands to feel for needles). If a litter pick is being carried out pupils should be given instruction on what to do if a needle is found, i.e. leave for staff. Disposal Identify and designate specific staff to deal with disposal of discarded needles/syringes in the school/educational establishment site. Ensure that these staff have the necessary information and instruction to carry out the task safely. Ensure there is adequate equipment and personal protective equipment for disposing of discarded needles/syringes safely and that this is always used. Needlestick Injuries 3

4 Schools/educational establishment should consider the purchase of a sharps disposal kit so that it is available when it is needed. A sharps disposal kit will normally consist of items such as a sharps box, gloves (appropriate for dealing with sharps), apron, first aid kit, tweezers etc. (Schools/educational establishment with a persistent problem should enter into a contract which can be organised though County Procurement for the provision and removal of sharp boxes). Anyone discovering a discarded needle/syringe should clear the area and send for the person designated to remove such items. How to Dispose of Discarded Needles/Syringes Safely. Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to pick up a needle/syringe without the appropriate equipment and personal protective equipment and this should be made clear to all staff, parents and pupils. Needles must be picked up with a pincer tool (tongs/litter picker/ helping hand ), shovels, gloved hand (anti-syringe gloves), dustpans/gloves or tweezers, never with bare hands. It is sensible even if wearing gloves to ensure cuts are covered with a waterproof dressing. Never attempt to re-sheath needles. Always dispose of needles in a rigid container, ideally an approved sharps box. If a sharps box is not available a rigid container such as a drinks can, can be used which is suitably marked. Always take the sharps box to the needle, not the needle to the sharps box. Place the sharps box on an even surface and open the sharps box before picking up the needle. Always pick up the needle by the blunt end (the plastic fitting where it is fixed onto a syringe). If there is more than one needle, pick them up one at a time. Do not overfill sharps boxes. When ¾ full, sharps containers must be sealed and disposed of as clinical waste through an appropriate organisation. For one-off incidents, it might be possible to dispose of needles via the NHS speak to the school nurse or local GP. Ensure that the Headteacher is informed as soon as possible of any needles and syringes that you find. Follow-up Procedures All incidents involving needlestick injuries should be recorded on an accident report form. Although needlestick injuries are not reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 95, any resulting infection may be. All incidents should be investigated in order to ensure wherever possible there can be no re-occurrence. When the individual requests it, the individual may be referred to the Occupational Health Unit at Matlock for counselling and advice. The individual should also be advised to contact their GP. Needlestick Injuries 4

5 If you have any questions or concerns regarding needlestick injuries or associated infections contact your Area Health and Safety Adviser or Occupational Health Unit at County Hall, Matlock. First-Aid Guidelines If you receive a needlestick injury, you should:- NOT suck the wound; encourage the puncture injury to bleed; wash the wound under cold running water without soap and cover with a dry dressing; seek medical help immediately; report the incident to your line manager. If you attend someone who has received a needlestick injury, in addition to the above controls, ensure that you wear gloves to prevent contamination. Needlestick Injuries 5

Handling needles in the waste and recycling industry

Handling needles in the waste and recycling industry This good practice was written in consultation and with the support of the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH). It does not aim to be comprehensive