Sharps include syringe needles, scalpels and broken glass. As well as having the potential to cause puncture wounds they carry the additional risk of infection and contamination with infected blood. This in turn can lead affected workers to be infected with a variety of diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, herpes, malaria, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Cleaners, waste collectors and others whose duties involve handling blood-contaminated items are at risk of this type of injury.
Puncture wounds are not limited to the health care sector, however. They are common in all workplaces where moving machinery and/or sharp objects are used.
Who might suffer
Industries in which workers are prone to this type of injury include:
- Farming
- Manufacturing
- Fishing
- Meatpacking
- Woodworking
- Mining
In addition to syringes, puncture wounds can be caused by a variety of sharp objects. These include:
- Splinters
- Scissors
- Knives
- Pneumatic nail guns
- Split timber
- Metal fragments
- Screws and nails
Sharp and puncture injuries should be treated as an emergency if; bleeding is heavy or spurting from the wound and it cannot be halted after ten minutes of pressure, function and feeling are impaired in the area around the wound, or if muscle/bone is exposed.
Scotland's leading personal injury firm
If you have suffered from an injury at work, please do not hesitate to contact Thompsons No Win No Fee specialists on 0800 0891331. We will advise you on your first steps to receiving the compensation that you and your family deserve.
