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Protecting Law Enforcement Officers from Sharps Injuries [1]

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Date: 2022-09

Law enforcement officers may be exposed to needlesticks and other sharps injuries, putting them at risk for serious illnesses. Employers of law enforcement officers should take steps to protect officers from the risk of occupational exposures.

Approximately 3.8%-8% of police officers reported having a needlestick injury [Cepeda et al. 2017; Davis et al. 2014]. Work-related tasks such as pat down searches, executing property searches or arrest warrants, may expose officers to contaminated sharps. Being injured by contaminated needles or sharps can put officers at risk for bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Employers and officers should follow OS­HA’s bloodborne pathogen standard to prevent needlestick and other sharps injuries.

If you experience a needlestick or sharp injury Wash the injury site with soap and water. Report it to your supervisor promptly. Seek immediate evaluation by a medical professional.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently published a Workplace Solutions document with recommendations to prevent and reduce work-related needlestick and other sharps injuries among law enforcement officers. Recommended steps for employers include:

Planning

Training

Treating and reporting injuries

Providing appropriate tools and personal protective equipment

Recommended steps for officers include:

Taking proper safety measures

Reporting needlestick and other sharps injuries

Following steps for safe sharps handling, transportation, and disposal

To read more on these recommendations, visit Reducing Work-Related Needlestick and Other Sharps Injuries Among Law Enforcement Officers.

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[1] Url: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/newsroom/feature/officer-sharpinjury.html

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