Needle Stick Injuries
This guidance is intended to provide information to all school staff (including site manager’s,
cleaners in charge, grounds staff and learning support assistants) who may find discarded needles
or syringes on the premises.
Unfortunately needles and syringes are sometimes discarded
thoughtlessly on playgrounds and fields. They may be found by themselves, in tubes or plastic
boxes, but they may also turn up in other containers such as cardboard boxes or carrier bags.
The main risks from skin puncture injuries are from Hepatitis B and C viruses and, to a lesser extent,
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The hepatitis virus causes serious inflammatory conditions of
the liver. HIV may lead to developing AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), attacking the
body’s natural defences against illness.
All discarded needles and syringes must be regarded as potentially infectious and treated
accordingly.
A risk assessment for dealing with needles and syringes should be undertaken in advance of the
need arising. Guidance on undertaking risk assessments can be found in the ‘Risk Assessment’
Section.
A risk assessment should be carried out to determine the likelihood of such injuries. We already
know the hazard (the sharp object); the risk associated with it can range from cuts of various sorts
and severity requiring first aid or medical attention, to needle-stick injuries with potential infection
risks from HIV and Hepatitis B and C. It is also important not to forget the risk of Tetanus infection
associated with any cut or abrasion.
Awareness of the Hazard and Risks enables the production of appropriate effective controls, such
as:

Identifying which employees are "at risk" of receiving such injuries, to enable the prioritising of
training.

Training all at risk employees in the appropriate procedures for handling sharp objects,
including appropriate methods of disposing of the sharp objects.

Provision of appropriate protective equipment to enable trained staff to handle sharp objects
safely.

All employees at risk of receiving cuts whilst at work should be kept up to date with their
Tetanus injections.

Appropriate disposal methods.

Employees who are at risk of being injured by sharp objects (such as needles) contaminated
by blood infected with HIV or Hepatitis B/C, should be provided with appropriate vaccinations/
inoculations.
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Needlestick Injuries
Needle Stick Injuries

Employees who are injured by sharp objects (such as needles) contaminated by blood which
may be infected with HIV or Hepatitis B/C, should receive appropriate medical attention. It is
recommended that you have a contingency plan for such events firstly for the affected
employees so that they receive prompt medical attention and are provided appropriate
counselling proportionate to the potential risks. Secondly for identifying as far as practically
possible the source of the blood on the sharp object, so that the risk of HIV or Hepatitis B/C
infection can be quantified/ qualified.

There should be a procedure for all employees to follow if they come in to contact with another
persons body fluids, to limit potential infection from HIV or Hepatitis B/C.
What to do if Discarded Needles and/or Syringes are found on School Premises

Use a disposal kit;

Stay calm and assess the situation;

You must not take avoidable risks - If it looks difficult to remove the needles, don’t do it; call
the Council’s Environmental Health Services. Until they arrive close the area to all other
persons, especially children. If this is not possible, isolate the object(s) and supervise the
area.

However if you decide that you can do it safely or there is an urgent need to move the
equipment, here are some simple steps to take:
o
Where possible, close the area to all other persons, especially children. If this is not
possible, isolate the object(s) and supervise the area. (Children should be supervised
by someone other than the individual dealing with the needle(s) to ensure they do not
enter the area);
o
Wear disposable gloves (e.g. vinyl or latex first aid type) to protect you from contact
infection, but please note that these gloves will not protect you against infection from
“needle stick” injury. (See below for First Aid action to take if anyone is injured by a
needle);
o
You should have a disposal kit (available from many first aid suppliers or safety
supplies specialists) and the situation appears to be straightforward, follow the
procedure outlined in the kit.
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Needlestick Injuries
Needle Stick Injuries
Otherwise:

As a last resort find a container with a well-secured lid, such as a large screw top. Rigid
plastic containers with lids are best, for instance plastic milk, fruit juice or soft drink bottles.
(Don’t use glass bottles as they may shatter or drinks can as they may get crushed.) However
it should be noted that there are dangers in issuing inappropriate storage vessels for these
hazards. This should include consideration of puncture of the vessel walls by needles and the
hazards presented by unlabelled or incorrectly labelled containers;

Never attempt to pick up a needle that is not attached to a syringe. In such circumstances
refer to procedures on isolating the area until Environmental Health arrives;

Don’t touch the sharp point with your fingers or hands;

Carefully pick up the needle and syringe by the blunt end, away from the point. If possible use
a tool to pick up needles: long-nosed pliers are ideal and tweezers can also be used;

Don’t try to put the plastic sheath back on the needle if it had fallen off;

Put the needle (and syringe, if there is one) point first, into the container. More than one can
be placed in the container, but don’t overfill it;

When you discover needles or syringes, the surrounding area should also be checked, but do
not comb the grass by hand;

Wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap, before and after removing the gloves,
which should then be bagged and thrown away. Bags should be colour coded yellow in line
with the disposal of other hazardous waste materials. The bag should then be tied and sealed
safely. (Do not put the bag in normal domestic waste).
It is advisable to consult with the LA’s PDE Advisor for Drugs, Nick Bolton, on 01225 898433 who
will work with other agencies to help eradicate the problem.
Please note that children must not be permitted to enter any area where syringes or needles have
been regularly found unless that area has been carefully checked immediately prior to the children
being permitted to use the area. If needles or syringes are regularly found in the same place the
police should be informed.
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Needlestick Injuries
Needle Stick Injuries
Use common sense – don’t take risks
Under no circumstances should any member of staff be expected to touch a discarded needle with
their bare hands or put their unprotected hands where they cannot see, such as soil, drains, Ubends, inside bins etc.
Where there is any risk of coming into contact with syringes or other sharps, tongs or other tools
should be used where possible, otherwise stout, comfortable, protective gloves must be worn.
Where work involves kneeling (e.g. during gardening clubs) consideration may need to be given to
other protection.
Where needles are found there must be a procedure for disposing of discarded or retrieved needles
safely.
Where staff are to be involved in disposing of needles they must be provided with a sharps box (a
plastic sealed unit). There should never be a need for staff to carry unsheathed needles – even with
gloves.
During routine cleaning operations staff may be liable to encounter sharp objects, whether thrown
out in the waste receptacles, or left discarded in areas being cleaned.
First aid and post exposure treatment
It is normally recommended that if a needlestick injury arises the bleeding should be encouraged
and the wound washed in warm running water with soap.
Where employees are working / learning away from the school site and where a risk assessment
indicates a possible risk of a needlestick injury e.g. parks or other open areas, they need access to
warm water. This can be done through providing canisters. This however is only an immediate
treatment. More long term treatment and support may be needed and once a needlestick injury has
taken place the employee should be offered immediate medical treatment.
Whenever a needle stick injury takes place, the employees must be offered counselling and periodic
monitoring, as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can all have long incubation periods. The first aid
and post-exposure procedures should be included in the training provided.
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Needlestick Injuries
Needle Stick Injuries
FIRST AID PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL CONTAMINATION:
Sharps Injury

Encourage bleeding immediately by squeezing the site of injury and wash with warm water
and soap. Do not suck the wound

Cover with a waterproof adhesive dressing
Splashes
Broken skin:
CLEAN: wash thoroughly with soap under running water.
COVER: Cover with a waterproof adhesive dressing.
Eye:
CLEAN: wash the eye out thoroughly with water.
Mouth:
Do not swallow. Wash the mouth out thoroughly.
Report the incident to the Headteacher. All incidents must be recorded in the appropriate accident
book.
Make sure further advice is obtained from the Council’s Occupational Health Advisor or your nearest
NHS Accident and Emergency Department/Minor Injuries Unit.
All members of staff who sustain a needle-stick injury (from a needle contaminated with human
blood/body fluids) must be followed up to ensure appropriate treatment counselling and a proper
prevention strategy.
Links
hpa.org.uk Schools Guidance On Infection Control
hpa.org.uk - Document - Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other Child Care
Settings
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