Cherry Tree postie injured by needle in postbox

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/news/ ... n_postbox/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A POSTMAN was injured by syringes drug addicts had posted into a letterbox.

The victim is off sick and is undergoing tests to see if he has been infected after being cut by the hypodermic needles while emptying the box.

The postbox, in Preston Old Road, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, was boarded up until yesterday while Royal Mail bosses investigated.

It has now been reopened with a special “restrictor” which will only allow small objects to be posted inside.

Locals said they were shocked by the incident, and ward councillors insisted it was out of character with the area.

Tory councillor for Livesey with Pleasington John Williams said: “I can’t find words bad enough for this. Postmen do not deserve this.

“The poor guy has now got to spend three months in incubation without knowing whether he will die from Aids.

“We have asked the Post Office to convey our deepest sympathy to the postman and we hope he recovers.”

His fellow ward councillor Derek Hardman called for postmen to be given protective gloves.

He added: “It’s worrying, because it’s not something we are used to in this area. Drugs aren’t a major problem.

“It shouldn’t be a dangerous job. They are carrying out a public service we take for granted and we would be stuck without them.”

Resident Ian Ainsworth, 64, of Preston Old Road, said: “It’s absolutely disgusting behaviour. Complete stupidity.”

Yesterday Marie Gray, of Royal Mail, said: “The postbox at Preston Old Road was sealed after a member of Royal Mail staff was injured by a hypodermic needle which had been placed in the postbox."

Ms Gray would not confirm the extent of the postman’s injuries and said the investigation was ongoing.

The postman, who is believed to be from Preston, was cut after a number of needles were dumped in the post box.

Paddy Magill, of the Communications Union, said: “It is a concern. Post boxes are handy receptacles for letters, but unfortunately they are also handy for other things too.”

Blackburn with Darwen councillor Tony Humphries, a former postman and union official, said: “You have to take extreme care when emptying the box. Postmen shouldn’t be put in what could be a life-threatening situation.”

Police are investigating the incident.

[brothermagrew]

Very sad to read indeed and for those on RMC who have as yet not read my original posting on DANGEROUS ITEMS IN THE MAIL it can be found in the health and safety forum. I would suspect that this unfortunate postie along with many others throughout the country have never ever had a managerial WTLL session covering dangerous items in the mail and the SSOW Safe System of Work that should be used for their personal safety.

[k979aaa]

Indeed you raise the question at work with your manager and he says you need PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and offers you the orange gloves for handling mail sacks!. Offers as much protection as the prick that gave them to you!.

[heapsy]

This is bad news. It wont be the last time this happens because of some complete idiot not thinking. I remember this same thing happening to someone in our office, about 10 years ago now. Fortunately, he made a complete recovery with no ill effects. He now works in another office. I sincerely hope that our colleague involved in this latest incident recovers likewise.

[brothermagrew]

Hypodermic needles are hollow needles designed to penetrate the body and either introduce or remove liquids. Thus, as well as causing a puncture wound, needlestick injuries can introduce into the body harmful materials or micro organisms from the skin, from contaminants on the outside of the needle and from the needle bore (and syringe if attached).



The risk of suffering further injury or an infection from a needlestick injury depends to what use the needle was put prior to the injury: clean and sterile needles present a low risk; if needles have been used to transfer chemicals or microorganisms then the risk will depend upon the properties of the chemical or characteristics of the microorganism; if needles are contaminated with human blood or other body fluids then they may be a source of blood borne viruses (BBV); needles contaminated with animal body fluids can be a source of zoonoses and needles contaminated with soil may be a source of tetanus. Needlestick injuries can also cause mental trauma as the injured person may have to cope with the fear that they have been infected.



Circumstances which expose employees and others to the risk of needlestick injuries must be subject to a risk assessment. The assessment must satisfy the requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Moreover, if the risk involves hazardous chemicals or microorganisms then the assessment must also satisfy the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

[Puppetmaster]

A close relative of mine works in a Hospital,and suffered a needle stick injury (needle prick)fouturtanley this relative had been trained in what to do in case of IF, and washed the wound out strasight the way then went to casualty,who then sent them to Occupational health the next day ,basicaly a series of blood tests have to be done over a period ot time,fourtantantley this relative was given the all clear.

Occupational health were very good, normaly the virus on a needle can only last so long outside a body,and it is rare for anybody in these circumstances to be contaminated.
Normaly the most common way to be contaminated,is like the casualty staff,who give someone a injection,and as soon as that needle comes out of the patients body then get a needle stick injury.

Even if we had WTL on this and had special protective gloves how many Posties would use them.Look at posties on a bike,in our office I think out of about 20 only 1 uses a helmet.
Posties no1 prioirty is to finnish as quickly as possible,if that includes running ,jumping over fences,what ever that takes.Overweight bags .

I do not agree with it,and know it to be dangerous but IM IN THE MINORITY

[Lounge Lizard]

Well it was in Blackburn which has a long history of this sort of thing, the Beatles "ten thousand holes in Blackburn Lancashire" being said to be a reference to drug taking there although they later claimed it to be about the number of potholes in the local roads.