Sharps

Overview

Medical sharps, like needles and scalpels, can look pretty scary. They’re often used in horror movies. Whether it’s a terrifying pit of spikes, or a main character with huge pins sticking out of his head, the sharps in movies look supremely dangerous and add to the horror factor. Eek! But it’s okay because it’s just a movie… right?

Sharps pose some big safety risks in real life, too. And in many professions, using them is just part of the job. So, knowing how to handle and dispose of them correctly is crucial to ensure you don’t end up part of your own horror movie.

Outline Learning Objectives:

• Define what sharps are
• Identify the risks posed by sharps, who’s vulnerable to sharps exposure, and when exposure could happen
• Define your legal duties when working with sharps
• Recognise best practices for safe handling and disposal of sharps
• Identify the actions to take if a sharps-related incident happens

Why should I take this course?

If you work with sharps then it’s vital you work with them safely. That’s where this course will help. It’ll explain what sharps are and the laws surrounding their use. And, by exploring the risks posed by sharps, who’s at risk, and when exposure could happen, you’ll be able to sharpen your practices, to keep you, and others, safe.