Needle stick injuries and other sharps pose a serious danger in all health care settings. Contact with needles, scalpels, broken glass and other sharp objects contaminated can expose blood pathogens, which constitute a serious risk and can be fatal.
Employees in the health industries may be at risk of injury from needle sticks and sharp objects if they: manipulate needles must be disarm or touch after use, recapped the needle, use needles or transfer liquids, do not properly dispose of used needles in waste containers that are sharps puncture-proof, do not have appropriate workstations sharps perform procedures, work quickly come into accidental contact with needles or with another individual when one of them is holding a sharp object
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Always have sharps containers that are puncture-resistant, leak proof and have the standard appropriate tags. Place the containers quickly within devices with needles and sharp objects that may be contaminated. Plan safe handling and disposal of needles before use. Store containers of sharps out of the reach of people who do not need access to them. Follow the precautionary practices, infection prevention and general hygiene. Participate in the training program for the control of blood-borne pathogens from your employer. Help your supervisor select and assess devices with safety. Use devices with safety mechanisms given by your supervisor. Immediately notify your employer any needle stick injuries.
All employers must establish a control program blood borne pathogens that meets all the requirements of standards for controlling pathogens (OSHA); ensure that all employees wear appropriate PPE for their work. Eliminate the use of needle devices if there are safer and effective alternatives. Provide needle devices containing security mechanisms, provide containers that are leak, puncture proof and have the proper tags. Investigate all injuries related to needles/sharps perform medical evaluations after