Needle Stick Injuries
INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
The inappropriate disposal of sharps – needles, syringes, razors and other blades which may be contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids presents a risk to the health and safety of Company employees, contractors and agents (“the operator”).
In accordance with Occupational Health and Safety Best Practice, the purpose of this policy is to minimize the risk of infection from blood borne illnesses such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis from needle stick or sharps injuries or from exposure to contaminated blood or bodily fluids.
Risk Groups from Needle Stick or Sharps Injury
In relation to the business operations of EnviroPoles the following groups face a risk of infection as a result of a needle stick or skin penetrating injury are:
• Company employees
• Contractors and/or agents involved in collecting litter from EPs
Safe Disposal of Needles
In order to facilitate the safe collection and disposal of sharps found in EnviroPoles, appropriate training and collection equipment will be provided.
Equipment to be provided will ensure that the risk to the operator from skin penetrating injury from incorrectly disposed of sharps is minimized or eliminated.
The following equipment shall be carried by each EP cleaning vehicle under the care of the company or a franchisee:
• Long handled tongs
• Thick leather gloves
• Yellow sharp containers which are clearly labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the words “Medical Waste – Incinerate”
• Hand cleaning supplies, including soap and water
• Alcohol wipes.
Under no circumstances will needles or sharps be collected unless this equipment is available for use.
To collect a sharp, the operator’s hand must be gloved and long handled tongs used to pick up the sharp and transfer it to the sharps container.
Where practical, the container is to be brought to the location of the sharp to minimise the distance the sharp is carried by the operator. No attempt shall be made to recap or modify any sharp collected in any way.
Under no circumstances should hands be used to pick up any sharps and unprotected hands should not be placed in a smokers poles where they cannot be clearly seen.
The Contractor and/or agent will be responsible for the secure storage and safe disposal of sharp containers collected by themselves or agents. The Contractor must make arrangements for the safe disposal of sharps at an appropriate disposal facility located in the franchise territory.
Exposure to Blood and Bodily Fluids including Needle stick Sharp Injury
Post contamination procedures are:
• Wash area immediately with soap and water. If this is not available, then alcohol can be substituted.
• If blood gets on the skin, irrespective of whether there are cuts or abrasions, wash well with soap and/or water.
• If the eyes are contaminated, rinse the area gently but thoroughly with water or normal saline, while the eyes are open.
• If blood gets in the mouth, spit it out and then rinse the mouth with water several times.
• If a needle/syringe was involved, place it in a rigid walled-container such as a lunch box. Take it with you when seeking medical assistance.
• The incident is to be reported immediately to an authorised Company representative or the franchisee.
• The operator must visit his or her doctor within 24 hours of the accident/incident.
• During the post incident period, especially the first 6 – 12 weeks, when most affected individuals are expected to develop HIV antibodies, exposed persons should prevent transmission of HIV infection by:
o Refraining from donating plasma or blood, body tissue, milk or sperm
o Protecting sexual partners from contact with body fluids (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) by using condoms during sexual intercourse
o Avoiding pregnancy until HIV status is known.