menu close

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

  • Duration1/2 a day
  • Delagates12 max
  • Price£475 + VAT or two half days back to back for £845+ VAT

Course Outline - Sessions

  1. The Sharps Problem

    Source of the problem, scale of the problem, possible locations and booby-trapping.

  2. Nature and Diversity of the Risks

    Viral diseases, are vaccinations effective?; a range of contaminated items, how viruses enter the body and people risks.

  3. Available measures against the risks

    PPE and limitations, a Safer Working System, personal hygiene and first aid measures.

  4. Summary and Discussions

Who would benefit from this sharps awareness course?

This course is most suitable for operatives whose duties include working in environments where discarded needles (sharps) and other drug-related waste may be present but would not necessarily be required to deal with needles on a regular basis. These could include plumbers, electricians and other trades working in property, housing staff in tenant support roles, staff working in and around publicly accessible buildings, such as cleaners, caretakers and security guards, to name but a few.

Sharps 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 encourages the delegates to think carefully about their particular areas of risk, and seeks to encourage the exploration of simple routines that can minimise the risk of contracting needlestick injury at all times.

During the discarded needles training course, participants will learn

  • Why drug-related litter has become such a problem;
  • Where sharps/meedles may be found, hidden, or even used as booby-traps;
  • What the risks of contamination are;
  • To identify signs of drug use taking place;
  • Useful techniques to reduce their risks if working in a risk environment;
  • Best practice if they need to remove a discarded needle;

First-aid measures for needlestick injuries or self-contamination.

Course Fees

For in-house training, this course is currently charged at £475 plus VAT. For two sessions in one day, the fee is £845 plus VAT. Up to 12 delegates may attend each session, making this a cost-effective way of training yourself and your staff (potentially only £35.20 per person).

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 accredited by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board.