Sharps Awareness

free trial user login sign up

Course Overview

CPD & IIRSM Approved

In this Sharp Awareness course, we will look at the statistics related to discarded needles, exploring the different types of sharps such as needles, syringes, scalpel blades, and glass, while also covering the risks and responsibilities of employers. It is often assumed that sharps injuries are only a concern for medical and care staff, however, those in other industries like waste disposal can also come into contact with used sharps. We’ll then discuss Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Tetanus before delving into the Chain of Infection and the chance of infection from a needlestick injury. We’ll also explain safe handling equipment including litter pickers, forceps, disinfectant sprays and gloves alongside correct procedures for disposal and handwashing. Finally, we will cover the protocols to follow if you are injured by a sharp.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the safety implications of using sharps
• employer risk assessments; associated injuries/infections
• probability of infection from needlestick injuries
• effective use of equipment for safe handling/disposal
• correct procedures for reporting discarded sharps
• procedures for injury by sharps.

Target Audience

This course is designed for anyone who might encounter used sharps in their daily work activities such as healthcare workers and waste disposal professionals. Knowledge obtained here can help protect you from injury through understanding dangers associated with sharps, appropriate safety measures and PPE. Additionally CPD approval makes it an ideal choice to prove continual professional development (CPD). The online format is flexible and cost-effective allowing candidates to progress at their own pace within their time frame.

Advantages

Knowledge of the dangers associated with sharps, safe handling techniques and use of appropriate
PPE will help you to protect yourself from the dangers.
CPD approval means that this course can be used by those that need to prove they are continually
developing themselves.
Online training is flexible, efficient and cost effective meaning the candidate can progress through
the modules at their own pace and in their own time, so they can fit the training in around their
work and personal life.

Further Progression

There are a lot of courses in our health and safety and health and social care suites that would make
great follow ups to this course and if you are in the adult social care sector then they would all
provide valuable additions to your knowledge. Specific topics that compliment this directly are
Diabetes Awareness and Introduction to Personal Safety for Lone Workers.