Royal College of Nursing launch a sharps survey for their members

The RCN have recently ran a survey asking members to share information on their experiences of sharps injuries at work.

The RCN stated that sharps injuries, from instruments such as needles and scalpels, are a serious occupational hazard affecting nursing staff, and at times of stress and exhaustion, sharps injuries are more likely to occur.

Working with the SHBN the RCN successfully campaigned for the 2013 sharps regulations to protect all health and care staff. They are now seeking members’ experiences to see if more work is needed in this area and to inform updates to our guidance on sharps injuries.

The RCN is also concerned that wearing bulky personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic may increase risk. 

The survey results will help inform RCN work to tackle these issues, with support from RCN safety reps and our Infection Prevention and Control Network, and through work with external bodies, such as the Health and Safety Executive.

The survey, which being run in collaboration with Sharpsmart UK Ltd, was open from 23 November until 11pm on 13 December and the results are expected in the near future.