Hiya all, a late driver told me today whilst out on his collections in the past he's come across Hypodermic Needle Syringes posted in the postboxes he collects from. I asked him what he done with the needles and who he has told about this? he told me he just leaves them on the floor besides the postbox and carries on with his collections and he's not told anyone other than me as he doesn't really see it as a major problem!
I've noticed on the WPQ form and the WRAP it asks about hyperdermic needles and sharps. So my questions are:
Does the Royal Mail offer any PPE for this problem IE some type of gloves?
Is there any RM training videos or leaflets to give us advice on this subject area?
Are there set procedures for dealing with these problems?
if so whats the procedures if you come across one of these whilst carrying out your duty?
...and has anyone else had a similar experience and what did they do?
I told him he should have dialled 101 for the police to come and collect it and called a member of management, but leaving it there wasn't a good idea.
Your thoughts please.
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Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
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Almighty1
- Posts: 75
- Joined: 14 Mar 2012, 18:32
- Gender: Male
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fishtank
- Posts: 19732
- Joined: 28 Sep 2007, 17:22
- Gender: Male
Re: Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
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.
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.
good times, bad times you know I've had my share
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cinemasaint
- Posts: 132
- Joined: 05 Oct 2011, 21:00
- Gender: Male
Re: Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
Junkie Scum,
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Pat Ostman
- Posts: 2797
- Joined: 17 Sep 2008, 21:53
- Gender: Male
- Location: In the Line Managers office being screwed over.
Re: Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
Sorry but that was nothing short of idiotic.
The junkie was bad enough potentially damaging a member of staff.
This idiot exposed a lot more people to a risk.
The junkie was bad enough potentially damaging a member of staff.
This idiot exposed a lot more people to a risk.
Run, rabbit run. Dig that hole, forget the sun.
And when at last the work is done. Don't sit down, it's time to dig another one
And when at last the work is done. Don't sit down, it's time to dig another one
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Almighty1
- Posts: 75
- Joined: 14 Mar 2012, 18:32
- Gender: Male
Re: Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
Pat Ostman wrote:Sorry but that was nothing short of idiotic.
The junkie was bad enough potentially damaging a member of staff.
This idiot exposed a lot more people to a risk.
I totally agree with you, when i asked him why he just left it there and never called a manager? he said "it's not my fault If someone else gets hurt, I never put it there" sadly enough this is a typical behaviour of a lot of posties in our office, if it will cost them a little time and effort then forget about it!
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Almighty1
- Posts: 75
- Joined: 14 Mar 2012, 18:32
- Gender: Male
Re: Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
Many thanks for posting up the info Fishtank 
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Mrunity
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 13 Feb 2017, 11:51
- Gender: Male
Hypodermic Needle Syringe in postbox!
Where are these guidelines from?