These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of needles. When not disposed of properly, needles can hide in linen or garbage and injure other workers who encounter them unexpectedly.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - PPE should be used as the last control approach, where appropriate. Puncture- and cut-resistant gloves could be used (such as during waste disposal).

An effective system for disposing of used needles and sharps is crucial to preventing injuries. Have disposal containers readily available.

Sharps have transmitted many other diseases involving viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms to healthcare workers, laboratory researchers, and veterinarian staff. The diseases include:

Administrative controls - promote safe work practices (through education, training, procedures, and signs) such as avoiding hand-to-hand passage of sharps, separating sharps from other waste, and not carrying garbage or linen bags close to the body.

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Many of these diseases were transmitted in rare, isolated events. However, they demonstrate that needlestick and sharps injuries can have serious consequences.

In situations where recapping is considered necessary, develop safe approaches that workers can follow. Workers should never move an exposed needle tip toward an unprotected hand. Recap by laying the cap on a flat surface and scoop it onto the tip of a syringe held in one hand. Keep the free hand away from the sheath and well behind the exposed needle.

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All staff should report every incident in which they find needles or sharps left at the bedside or thrown into the regular garbage.

The use of safety-engineered devices such as protected needle devices, or needle-free systems with self-sealing ports and syringes is encouraged. PHAC states that use of such safety devices is required by some jurisdictions. Using these devices must take into consideration both the safety of the health care worker and the patient.

The CSA Group standard CSA Z316.6 Sharps injury protection—Requirements and test methods—Sharps containers have more detailed requirements for sharps containers.

Surveillance programs that provide in-depth analysis of incidents are an important tool for obtaining information. The goals of these programs should include:

Equipment design, nature of the procedure, condition of work, and staff experience are all factors that influence these occurrences.

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The "Workbook for Designing, Implementing & Evaluating a Sharps Injury Prevention Program" resource from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be used in program design.. A sharps injury prevention program should use a hierarchy of control approach, including:

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Engineering controls - isolate the hazard by using sharps disposal containers or other devices that have an integrated injury prevention feature. Instruments can be used to grasp needles and scalpels to avoid direct contact. Safety devices must be chosen with care as no one device or strategy will work in every situation.

Elimination - find ways to eliminate or reduce needle use during procedures, medication delivery, and specimen collection.

The Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reviews, publishes, and updates guidelines to protect staff from exposure to all infection-causing agents in healthcare settings. The current guideline is titled "Routine Practices and Additional Precautions for Preventing the Transmission of Infection in Healthcare Settings".

Preventing injuries from sharps and needlesticks is considered a part of the routine practices used by healthcare workers.

Preventing injuries is the most effective way to protect workers. A comprehensive sharps injury prevention program would include:

Incidental punctures by contaminated needles can inject hazardous fluids and pathogens into the body through the skin. There is potential for injection of hazardous drugs, but contact with infectious fluids, especially blood, is by far the greatest concern. Even small amounts of infectious fluid can spread certain diseases effectively.

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Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information.

The risk of infection after exposure to infected blood varies by bloodborne pathogen. It is estimated that the hepatitis B virus has a 6% to 30% chance of causing an infection from a needlestick injury if the person is not vaccinated. In comparison, the risk of HIV transmission is about 0.3% and the risk for hepatitis C is about 1.8%. These are estimates. Regardless of the probability, it is always good practice to eliminate or reduce the risk of infection.

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Infected needlesticks and sharps may transmit infectious diseases, especially blood-borne pathogens (germs like viruses that cause disease). Concerns include the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

"Sharps" include needles, as well as items such as scalpels, lancets, razor blades, scissors, wires, retractors, clamps, pins, staples, cutters, and glass items. Essentially, any object that is able to cut the skin can be considered a "sharp."

Workers should place needles in wide-mouth, puncture-resistant containers. The containers should ideally allow disposal while using only one hand to reduce the risk of injury to the user. Locate disposal containers specifically where needles and sharps are used to make safe disposal possible. Replace the containers before they are completely filled - sharps containers should be removed and replaced when they are threequarters full. Make sure they are sealed, collected, and disposed of according to local regulations for biomedical waste.

Workers who use sharps require education and training as part of a sharps injury prevention program. Workers should be educated in how to protect themselves during use, and to protect others who may encounter the sharps during or after procedures.