Sharps Awareness

Sharps injuries can happen anywhere and not the concern of medical and care staff.only It is quite common for people in other industries such as waste disposal to encounter used sharps.
In this course we'll start by looking at some statistics relating to discarded needles, then define 'sharps' and look at the different types that can be found in 'sharps litter', ranging from needles, syringes, and scalpel blades to broken glass, knives, scissors and nails. It then covers the primary and secondary risks from sharps. You will examine the responsibilities of employers and how they must use risk assessment to ensure workers safety, as much as possible. Then, the course will take a detailed look at Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Tetanus.
Understanding the Chain of Infection, helping you to see how an infection gets passed on. What steps can be taken to break the chain and stop the process? What are the probability of picking up an infection from a needlestick injury? It's important to always handle discarded sharps safely. You will look at the equipment you need, including litter pickers, forceps, disinfectant sprays and gloves, along with the correct techniques you should employ to avoid injury. This subject will be further 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, it'll cover how to report discarded sharps and the correct procedures to follow if you're unlucky enough to receive a sharps injury. Knowledge of the dangers associated with sharps, safe handling techniques and use of appropriate PPE will help you to protect yourself from the dangers.