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Hi all, could someone help? I would be happy to hear of anyone's procedures for needlesticks.
Our guys found three on site yesterday. The client then dealt with the issue.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Wash thoroughly with soap and water; do not squeeze the wound.
Go immediately to the nearest large A&E unit and make a fuss about a needlestick injury - don't be fobbed off and sent away in disgrace for wasting time & resources for a little pin prick (sadly, that still sometimes happens).
Take the needle if possible, but only if a) it is safe to pick up and b) if a suitable and safe container is available.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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It really does depend on the task, circumstances and likelihood of people coming into contact with needlesticks. For example, if sharps are anticipated due to the environment, then those involved should be provided with suitable PPE ie protective gauntlets and advised of precautions prior to the work. There are receptacles specifically for the safe disposal of needles. If it is a one-off or low probability occurrence it is much more difficult to deal with via a procedure.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Our procedure pretty much follows HPA advice and is similar to European Agency for Health guidance - Gently encourage bleeding from the wound, wash in warm running water, do not scrub, cover with a dry sterile dressing, immediately seek professional medical advice.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks, one of my colleagues said that we have to register that we are to stock sharps bins??? Is this correct?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Birchall31628 wrote:Thanks, one of my colleagues said that we have to register that we are to stock sharps bins??? Is this correct?
News to me? Might be a requirement if they're considered contaminated with biological waste but lots of sectors of industry use sharps bins.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You may want to consider offering Hep B vaccinations to workers.
I'm pretty sure you want to encourage wounds to bleed too. Better out than in, as it were.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Birchall, it wasn't clear to me, and clearly others, whether you were after a procedure for a needlestick injury or on how to deal with discarded needles.
There is plenty of information on the first, essentially along the lines suggested by Ian.
The latter is a different matter and takes some thought. House clearances are a classic example of where such a risk might exist and we used to have a process that started with asking the housing officer whether they had knowledge of the use of needles or knowledge or suspicion of any drug use, an initial 'survey' of the house for any evidence of drug paraphernalia, and if felt necessary the use of needle gauntlets and remote handling. That together with a procedure about what to do when they are discovered (which is relatively straight forward) and subsequent disposal should suffice.
If needles are still attached to the the syringe you should provide a container that is suitable to take the 'complete package' rather than trying to seperate the 2.
I don't think that there is a requirement to register the fact that you merely have a sharps bin, but you do need to consider final disposal which your local Council should be able to advise you about
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