Sharps Awareness Training Course

Working in the health and social care sector involves helping others while protecting yourself and those around you. If your role brings you into contact with sharps – objects that can pierce the skin, such as needles, syringes, or scalpel blades – it’s crucial to understand how to handle them properly.

Sharps-related accidents can lead to serious injuries and infections. This free online course empowers you to stay safe, reduce risks, and support people who use services in the best way possible.

This free sharps Awareness online course is designed to teach you key procedures for handling, disposing of, and responding to sharps-related injuries. With straightforward guidance tailored to the workplace, this course helps build your confidence and understanding. Whether you’re encountering sharps for the first time or looking to refresh your skills, this course gives you practical tools and clear advice.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Sharps injuries can expose workers to infections like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus. Knowing how to handle sharps and manage incidents is essential for the safety of everyone in your role, as well as the people who use services.

Taking this course will help you:

• Work more safely: Learn recommended techniques for handling sharps and how to use protective equipment like gloves, forceps, and sharps containers. We cover the small steps that lead to big safety improvements.
• Understand the risks: Sharps can transmit infections, even through minor injuries. Recognising common hazards in workplaces will help you protect yourself and others from harm.
• Dispose of sharps correctly: Incorrect disposal poses risks to both staff and people who use services. We’ll show you how sharps containers should be filled, stored, labelled, and emptied responsibly.
• Respond effectively to injuries: Accidents happen. You’ll gain the skills to report injuries, give first aid promptly, and follow post-exposure protocols – including access to prophylaxis treatments to reduce infection risks.
• Comply with the law: You’ll learn about the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 and understand your rights under UK workplace laws.

This course is practical, concise, and focused on giving you knowledge you can act on immediately. Whether you’re working in a care home, healthcare setting, or out in the community, it helps you provide safer support.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will:

• Recognise different types of sharps commonly found in the workplace, such as needles, scalpel blades, and syringes.
• Understand the health risks associated with sharps injuries, including the role they play in spreading infectious diseases.
• Follow safe handling and disposal procedures for sharps, using appropriate tools and techniques.
• Conduct risk assessments for your workplace and understand everyone’s responsibilities under UK law.
• Act quickly and confidently if a sharps injury occurs, with step-by-step guidance for reporting and treatment.

This course gives you clear steps that are easy to apply straight away. You’ll leave with practical know-how for managing sharps safely, reducing risks, and responding to emergencies.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for social care professionals working directly with people who use services. If your role involves handling medical equipment, managing waste, or working in environments where sharps may be present, this course is for you.

It’s particularly helpful for:

• Carers: You help people with day-to-day needs. Sharps may be part of your workplace, so knowing how to handle them safely is important.
• Support workers: Whether you’re in a care home, healthcare setting, or working out in the community, you might face situations where sharps are discarded or misused.
• Healthcare professionals: Injuries from sharps can lead to infections that affect both workers and the people you care for. This course helps you reduce risks and provide safe support.
• Employers: Sharps safety is everyone’s responsibility, but as an employer, you’ve got legal duties too. Learn how to manage sharps risks in compliance with UK laws.

No prior knowledge of sharps or specialist medical training is needed to take this course — it’s designed to make information accessible, no matter your experience level. This course provides and introduction to raise awareness of sharps, it does not qualify you.

FAQ

How long does the course take?
You can complete the course in approximately 1 hour. It’s structured into short modules for flexible learning.

Do I need any prior knowledge?
No. This course is for anyone looking to improve their knowledge of sharps, whether you’re new to the topic or need a refresher.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, you will. Completing the course earns you a certificate, which demonstrates your awareness of sharps safety.

Is the content specific to my workplace?
This course uses examples for a range of social care settings, including care homes, community support roles, and healthcare environments.

Do I need any special equipment for this course?
No, the course gives you techniques to apply using standard protective equipment you already use in your role.

What if I have further questions after the course?
Help is available. You’ll have access to resources and support after you complete the training.

Is this course CPD accredited?
Not at the moment, we are currently applying for CPD accreditation.

This Free Sharps Awareness Training Course Online is your step towards greater workplace safety. Build your confidence with practical skills that protect you, your colleagues, and the people who use services.

Sign up now and take the first step towards a safer workplace by raising your awareness.