Sharps Awareness
The Sharps Awareness course is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills needed to safely handle and respond to sharps in the workplace. While sharps injuries are often associated with medical settings, they can occur in a wide range of industries, including waste management, cleaning, and public spaces. Learners will explore the types of sharps, the risks associated with exposure, legal responsibilities of employers, and practical techniques for safe handling and disposal. The course also covers infection prevention, reporting procedures, and steps to take in the event of an injury. Delivered online, learners can progress at their own pace, making this a flexible and accessible way to improve safety awareness.
Course Overview
This course begins by examining statistics and the types of sharps commonly encountered, from needles and syringes to broken glass and blades. Learners will understand the primary and secondary risks, including infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tetanus. The course introduces the Chain of Infection, illustrating how infections spread and the steps to break it. Practical guidance is provided on the safe use of PPE and equipment such as litter pickers, forceps, and disinfectants, alongside correct handling and disposal procedures. Learners will also learn how to report sharps incidents and follow correct post-exposure protocols, helping them protect themselves and others in the workplace.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• Recognise the safety implications of using Sharps, whether clinical or non-clinical.
• State the associated injuries and infections associated with usage of sharps. Understand employer risk assessments regarding sharps and what to do if you are injured.
• Define the chain of infection from a sharps injury.
• Identify susceptible employees and the chance of injury resulting in infection.
• Demonstrate understanding of the effective use of equipment for the safe handling and disposal of sharps.
Who is this course for
This course is aimed at anyone who may come into contact with sharps waste whilst performing their day to day working activities. This includes people working in healthcare, waste disposal and a wide range of other industries.
Recommended System Requirements
• Browser: Up to date web browser
• Video: Up to date video drivers
• Memory: 1Gb+ RAM
• Download Speed: Broadband (3Mb+)
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.
Accredited by
CPD Approved, IIRSM, IOSH
Course Cost
£20 +VAT