The Awareness and Management of Discarded Needles (Sharps) and Drug Related Waste

Who would benefit from this course?

• Managers, supervisors, staff and operatives whose duties include organising or performing tasks for dealing with waste that may contain discarded needles (sharps) and other drug-related waste, or activities where injecting drug users might be present. These include a wide variety of personnel in Councils, Housing Associations, Private Contractors and others.

Course objectives

• This well-paced workshop aims to make participants acutely aware of the risks associated with all areas where discarded needles (sharps) and other drug-related waste may be present. It seeks to encourage the exploration of simple routines that can minimise the risk of contracting needlestick injury at all times.
• The course also sets out to impress upon delegates how even simple and inexpensive personal protective equipment and other items can be effective in different situations.

During the course, participants will:

• Gain an understanding of why discarded needles (sharps) and drug-related waste are becoming such a problem
• Be made very aware of where needles and other items may occur, be hidden or even used to booby trap
• Learn about some very simple habits to minimize their risks of needlestick injury
• Learn about the consequences of needlestick injury and self contamination from drug-related waste
• Learn about a Safer Working System to help minimise risks when dealing with discarded needles (sharps)
• Understand the importance of better organisation
• Realise the importance of avoiding contact with suspect items.
• Become aware of the additional measures needed by those dealing with blood and other body fluids
• Learn about the measures needed to be taken by those who may come into contact with drug users
• Understand the importance of personal hygiene and equipment cleansing in relation to drug-related waste
• Hear about the first aid measure needed for those who suffer needlestick injury or self-contamination

Course Outline:

Session 1. The Sharps Problem

• Source of the problem
• Scale of the problem
• Possible locations; Booby trapping

Session 2. Nature and Diversity of the Risks

• Viral diseases
• Are vaccinations effective?
• A range of contaminated items
• How viruses enter the body
• People risks

Session 3. Available measures against the risks

• PPE and limitations
• A Safer Working System
• Dealing with small amounts of blood or body fluids
• Personal Hygiene
• First Aid measures

Summary and Discussions

Course Fees:

For in-house training, this course is currently charged at £490 plus VAT . For two sessions in one day, the fee is £850 plus VAT. Up to 15 delegates may attend each session, making this a cost-effective way (potentially less than £30 per person) of training yourself and your staff.

All costs are based on carrying out the training at your premises - we ask you to provide the training room and flip chart.

Depending upon location and timings, a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs might be requested, but these will be agreed with you before your order is confirmed.

This course is approved by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, and provides half a day towards the Institution's Graduate Structured Education and Training Programme, or Three hours of Continuing Professional Development.