Risk Assessment: Needle Sticks and Other Sharp Objects¶
Document Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Reference | RA23 |
| Issue Number | 2 |
| Issue Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Next Review | 1 June 2027 |
| Prepared By | Sean Ashton |
| Approved By | Aaron Mason, Director |
Risk Assessment Table¶
| Activity/Process | Hazard | Who/What Affected | Existing Controls | Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) | New Controls Required | Post-Control Risk (S/L/R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of areas with high risk of discarded sharps | Failure to identify areas where sharps may be present, leading to unexpected encounters | Site personnel could suffer puncture injuries and exposure to blood-borne viruses (Hepatitis B/C, HIV) | • Pre-site assessment to identify high-risk locations • Consultation with client and local authorities regarding sharps history • Review of previous site visits/maintenance records • Special attention to meter pits, sewers, public toilets • Communication of hazards to team members • Enhanced vigilance in poor visibility areas |
5/3/15 (High) | • Enhanced hazard identification training for site supervisors HSQE, immediate |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Inspection of work areas for sharps | Inadequate inspection techniques; Visual inspection limitations in poorly lit areas | Site personnel at risk of puncture injuries and blood-borne virus exposure | • Systematic visual inspection before work • Use of torches for dark areas • Mirror on extending pole for limited visibility • Trained personnel conducting inspections • Staged inspection approach • Minimum two people for high-risk areas |
5/3/15 (High) | • Mandatory 'sharps inspection' step in job planning Site Supervisors, immediate |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Working in areas where sharps have been identified | Puncture injuries from identified sharps; Splashes from contaminated liquids | Site personnel at risk of puncture injuries and blood-borne virus exposure | • Only trained personnel permitted • Enhanced PPE (puncture-resistant gloves, safety footwear, eye protection) • Use tools rather than hands • Remove sharps before work where possible • Adequate lighting provided • Restricted access zones • Safe working distance maintained • Enhanced supervision |
5/3/15 (High) | • Develop specific work protocols for sharps scenarios • Consider suspending non-essential work in high-concentration areas Sean Ashton / Operations Director, case-by-case |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Safe removal of discovered sharps | Puncture injuries during removal; Incorrect disposal increasing risk to others | Personnel removing sharps at highest risk; Others at risk from incorrect disposal | • Only trained personnel undertake removal • Approved sharps handling kit (tongs, forceps, containers) • Puncture-resistant gloves worn • Never handle directly • UN3291/BS7320 compliant containers • Containers never overfilled • Clear disposal procedures • Licensed waste contractor used |
5/3/15 (High) | • Enhanced sharps removal kits Procurement, immediate • Consider dedicated trained sharps removal team SLT, evaluation |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Emergency response to sharps injury | Delayed/inappropriate first aid; Psychological distress following injury | Injured person at risk of infection; Mental health impact from anxiety | • Clear emergency procedure • First aid kits with sharps injury components • Immediate wound cleaning protocol • All personnel trained in response • Immediate medical follow-up arranged • Hospital attendance (not GP) • Post-exposure prophylaxis available • Psychological support available |
5/3/15 (High) | • See Method Statement 2.2 Cross-reference |
5/2/10 (High) |
| Working with utility tools with sharp edges | Cuts and lacerations from pipe cutters, cable strippers, and other sharp tools | Site personnel at risk of cuts with infection or tissue damage risk | • Personnel trained in safe tool use • Cut-resistant gloves provided • Tool guards maintained • Safe cutting techniques taught • Appropriate tool storage • Job rotation to reduce fatigue • First aid provisions available • Regular tool inspection |
3/4/12 (High) | • Consider tools with enhanced safety features SLT, evaluation |
3/3/9 (Moderate) |
| Working in public areas with glass/debris | Cuts and punctures from broken glass, metal fragments, and sharp debris | Site personnel at risk of cuts with infection risk | • Area inspection before work • Puncture-resistant safety footwear • Cut-resistant gloves • Tools used to move debris • Remove visible sharp objects first • Enhanced awareness in high-risk areas • First aid provisions available • Clear wound cleaning procedures |
3/4/12 (High) | • Enhanced site assessment procedures for public areas Site Supervisors • Consider temporary ground covering SLT, evaluation |
3/3/9 (Moderate) |
| Vaccination and health monitoring | Insufficient protection against blood-borne viruses; Delayed infection detection | Site personnel at risk of long-term health consequences | • Hepatitis B vaccination offered • Vaccination status monitored • Pre-employment health screening • Health surveillance program • Post-exposure testing protocols • Confidential occupational health service • Educational information provided |
4/3/12 (High) | • Comprehensive health monitoring program Occupational Health/HSQE • Enhanced vaccination information Sean Ashton, immediate • Consider additional vaccinations Occupational Health, 3 months |
4/2/8 (Moderate) |
Key:¶
- S = Severity (1-5 scale)
- L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
- R = Risk Rating (S × L)
- Risk Levels:
- Low (1-3)
- Moderate (4-8)
- High (9-15)
- Very High (16-25)