OVERVIEW
This course raises awareness of the risks from needles and other sharps and explains how to handle, use and dispose of them safely. A sharps injury can transmit serious blood-borne viruses, so preventing injuries protects workers, patients, visitors and the public. The course is written for the UK and reflects the specific duties placed on employers and workers by the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Across the modules you will learn what needles and sharps are, what counts as a sharps injury, the legal framework that applies, who is at risk and when injuries happen, the health effects (including the three main blood-borne viruses), how the risk is assessed and controlled using the hierarchy of control, the role of safer- engineered devices, how sharps containers are assembled and used correctly, and the exact steps to take if a sharps injury occurs — including the time-critical importance of seeking medical advice and, where appropriate, post-exposure prophylaxis. The course concludes with a 15-question multiple-choice assessment. You must score at least 80% to pass and earn the CPD certificate. The assessment checks understanding of the key legal duties, the hazards, safe- handling practice and the correct response to an injury, so that learning translates into safer behaviour in the workplace.
