Sharps Awareness Training

The Sharps Awareness Training Course is designed to provide employees with the knowledge and confidence to recognise, avoid, and safely respond to the risks associated with sharps and needlestick injuries in the workplace. Whether you work in construction, facilities management, local authorities, waste management, housing associations, healthcare, cleaning, security, grounds maintenance, or any environment where discarded sharps may be encountered, this course will help you understand the hazards and follow safe working practices.

Sharps injuries can occur unexpectedly and may expose workers to serious health risks, including blood-borne viruses and other infectious diseases. While many people associate sharps with healthcare settings, discarded needles, syringes, broken glass, razor blades, and other sharp objects are increasingly found in public spaces, construction sites, parks, waste disposal areas, public toilets, housing estates, and commercial premises. Anyone whose work could bring them into contact with these hazards should receive appropriate training.

Employers have a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to assess workplace risks, implement suitable control measures, and provide employees with adequate information, instruction, and training. This Sharps Awareness Training Course helps organisations meet these legal obligations while improving employee confidence and reducing the risk of workplace injuries.

Throughout this course, delegates will learn how to identify common sharps hazards, understand the potential health risks associated with needlestick injuries, and follow safe procedures for handling, reporting, and disposing of sharps safely. The course also explains the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe systems of work, and emergency procedures following accidental exposure.

Delegates will gain an understanding of blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, along with the importance of infection prevention and breaking the chain of infection. By understanding how these risks arise and the precautions that should be taken, employees can significantly reduce the likelihood of injury while protecting themselves, their colleagues, and members of the public.

The training also covers the correct procedures for reporting discarded sharps, carrying out dynamic risk assessments, and responding appropriately if a sharps injury occurs. Delegates will learn why discarded sharps should never be handled directly and will understand the importance of using appropriate equipment and following company procedures at all times.

By completing this Sharps Awareness Training Course, delegates will develop a greater awareness of workplace hazards and contribute to creating a safer working environment. Employers benefit from improved compliance, reduced accident risks, and a workforce that understands how to manage potential exposure safely and professionally.

Entry requirements: No previous experience is required; however, delegates should have a good understanding of spoken and written English to fully participate in the course and complete the assessment.

Get trained

The sharps awareness training course raises awareness of the dangers associated with sharp objects and handling them incorrectly. The course also covers the health risks, safe handling and disposal of sharp objects.

The course will give delegates a better understanding of the risks their workers face. This will make it easier for them to talk over control measures with their staff.

Entry requirements: Delegates must have good understanding of English at basic level.

What’s covered?

In this sharps awareness training course, you will learn about a range of subjects including:

• Introduction to sharps – what are they and what kind of injuries they cause
• Best practice for sharps use
• Carrying out risk assessments
• Disposing of sharps / needles safely
• Do’s and don’ts of using sharps
• Guidelines for hand hygiene and PPE
• Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
• How to keep workers safe
• Needle injuries
• Reporting an injury
• Responsibilities of employers and employees
• Risks of being exposed to biological agents
• The dangers of sharps injuries, when they occur and who is most at risk
• Understanding the legal guidelines
• Understanding medical device markings
• Waste stream segregation systems

Is this the right course for me?

This sharps awareness training explores the hazards and health risks associated with sharps and looks at their safe handling and disposal. It also explores the legal requirements and risk controls required to minimise sharps injuries.

Who Should Attend?

This Sharps Awareness Training Course is suitable for:

• Construction workers
• Waste management and recycling operatives
• Cleaning and facilities management staff
• Housing association employees
• Grounds maintenance teams
• Security personnel
• Local authority workers
• Care and support workers
• Property maintenance contractors
• Supervisors and managers responsible for employee safety

No previous experience is required; however, delegates should have a good understanding of spoken and written English to fully participate in the course and complete the assessment.

Course details

• Aimed at: Groundspeople, maintenance staff, railway workers, public convenience cleaners, litter pickers and anyone who may come into contact with sharps and needles at work.
• Duration: 0.5 day
• Maximum class size: 12
• Qualification length: 5 years
• On-site training available: Yes

Assessment details

The qualification is assessed through a theory assessment paper which the learner must successfully pass. Once completed the delegate will be awarded the Davis Access sharps awareness training qualification.