Sharps injury
A penetrating wound from a needle, lancet, scalpel, broken glass or other sharp object contaminated with blood or body fluids. Sharps injuries carry risk of bloodborne pathogen infection. Healthcare workers are at highest risk.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“sharps injury”Exact equivalentThe Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/645) require healthcare employers to use safer sharps where reasonably practicable, prohibit recapping of needles, and train workers on the risks. Injuries must be reported and documented. Workers must receive information on post-exposure procedures.
Irish HSA
“needlestick injury”Close equivalentThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Sharp Instruments in the Healthcare Sector) Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/219) implement EU Directive 2010/32/EU in Ireland. Requirements mirror the GB Sharp Instruments Regulations: use of safer sharps where reasonably practicable, no recapping, training, incident documentation and post-exposure procedures.
US OSHA
“needlestick injury”Close equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens) requires healthcare employers to implement engineering controls including safer needle devices, prohibit recapping of contaminated needles with both hands, provide training, and maintain a sharps injury log. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act 2000 required OSHA to revise the BBP standard.
Practitioner note: Safer-sharps devices are required where reasonably practicable, not merely encouraged. The post-exposure procedure must be available immediately at the point of use.