Sharps Awareness
Course Overview
There is a common misconception that sharps injuries are only of concern to medical and care staff.
However it is not uncommon for people in other industries such as waste disposal to come into
contact with used sharps.
Course Content
Sharps awareness training online defines sharps and looks at the different types found in sharps litter, ranging from needles, syringes and scalpel blades to broken glass, knives, scissors and nails, so staff recognise the full range of hazards, not just the obvious ones.
The course covers the primary and secondary risks from sharps, and looks at the responsibilities of employers, including how they must use risk assessment to ensure worker safety as much as possible.
The course takes a detailed look at Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Tetanus, including a section on the Chain of Infection, helping staff understand how an infection gets passed on and what steps can be taken to break the chain and stop the process.
Sharps awareness training online covers the probability of picking up an infection from a needlestick injury and the factors that can affect this, rather than treating every needlestick injury as carrying the same level of risk.
The course covers the equipment needed to handle discarded sharps safely, including litter pickers, forceps, disinfectant sprays and gloves, along with the correct techniques to avoid injury.
This is expanded on by detailing the correct sharps handling procedures, including how to dispose of discarded sharps safely, how to remove disposable gloves to minimise cross-contamination, and correct hand washing procedures.
Finally, the course covers how to report discarded sharps and the correct procedures to follow if you're unlucky enough to receive a sharps injury.
Anyone who could come into contact with discarded sharps as part of their work, including care, medical and waste disposal staff.
Course Duration
55 mins
Course Certification
Approved by CPD, IIRSM & IOSH
