Needlestick and sharps injuries in hygiene service engineers

An anonymous postal survey was undertaken to assess the frequencyof hygiene service engineers finding sharp objects (includingneedles) in the washrooms in which they worked. Data on thetype of sharps found and their exact location were collectedalong with information on the type and number of accidents whichhad occurred. As a result of the survey it was clear that, althoughthe number of recorded accidents was small, a significant numberof accidents were not being reported and that finding sharpswas a common occurrence for these workers. Recommendations tomanagement on working practises and procedures and on the needfor immunization are outlined.