DANGEROUS ITEMS IN THE MAIL

[brothermagrew]

DANGEROUS ITEMS IN THE MAIL

Hypodermic Needles and Other Sharps:

It is the legal responsibility of every employee at work:

• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

• To report defective or faulty equipment immediately.


GENERAL

Discarded hypodermic needles and other sharps may be contaminated with the HIV or Hepatitis viruses. (The word sharp covers any item that is likely to cause injury by cutting or puncturing the skin, and includes objects from broken glass and razor blades to hypodermic needles). The chances of contracting a disease from a contaminated needle or other sharp are remote.

As a result of risk assessment, you will have labelled those boxes which are High Risk. Communicate this information to collection / delivery staff through briefing and other appropriate means.

Make yourself aware of the location of the equipment to use if a hypodermic needle or sharp is found.

When collecting from a posting box:

• Check the inside of the door for a warning sign.

• Look carefully when clearing mail from all posting boxes. Use your torch when it is dark.

• Avoid pushing your hand into the middle of a posting box.

• Clear all blockages carefully – make sure you can see where you put your hand, particularly if you have high risk boxes on your delivery collection.

• When collecting from all post boxes, if you do see a needle or sharp, leave it and the mail in the box, lock the box, and report it to your manager as soon as possible. Your manager will know where the sharps box and tweezers are and what to do in the event of a sharp being found.

Your manager will ensure the following:

• That local arrangements are followed to clear the box using the sharps box and equipment provided ensuring that any manufacturers’ instructions are followed.

• That the item is placed in the sharps box using the tweezers.

• That the Property & Facilities Management Helpline is contacted for disposal instructions.

• That arrangements are made to clean or disinfect any clothing, equipment or immediate area that has been in contact with a hypodermic needle.


Treatment of a hypodermic needle or sharp found in the office:

If you have handled the needle or sharp, set it down on a table or bench.
Advise nearby colleagues that you have found a needle or sharp.
Advise your manager that you have found a needle or sharp.
If you have handled the needle or sharp, wash your hands with soap and water and consult a First Aider.

Your manager will ensure the following:

• That the area is isolated – all instructions must be followed.

• That local arrangements are followed to remove the item using the sharps box and equipment provided ensuring that any manufacturers’ instructions are followed.

• That the item is placed in the sharps box using the tweezers.

• That the container is sealed and put in a safe place.

• That the Property & Facilities Management Helpline is contacted for disposal instructions.

• That arrangements are made to clean or disinfect any clothing, equipment or immediate area that has been in contact with a hypodermic needle.


In the event of a Needlestick injury:

If an incident occurs the office should be contacted as soon as possible and the safety of the mail ensured in line with local procedures. The casualty should not drive if shocked or in pain which may be the case depending on the site of the injury.

• It is advisable with a Needlestick injury to encourage bleeding of the wound immediately by gentle squeezing, not sucking, of the area.

• As soon as possible after the bleeding the wounded area should be washed with soap and water.

• An entry must be made in the accident book via the online ERICA reporting system.

• As soon as any immediate first aid has been done, the injured employee should be accompanied, preferably by a First Aider, to the local Accident and Emergency Department where appropriate blood tests, and if necessary, vaccinations can be carried out. If possible, take the needle in a proper sharps container to the A&E Department. Do not carry the needle anywhere unless in a proper sharps container.

• If you have any further concerns either contact your Employee Health Adviser, who will give the opportunity to receive counselling, or your own doctor.

See also CWU website LTB 671/08 HEPATITIS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.