HSE National Policy
HSE National Policy on the Management of Sharps and Prevention of Sharp Injuries
Topic:
Sharps injuries
Document Owner:
Chief People Officer, National HR
National Group:
National Health & Safety Function (Policy Team)
Effective From: 24 October 2025
This Policy applies to all HSE staff and others working under the control of the HSE including temporary employees (to include agency staff) and students.
The purpose of this Policy is to ensure compliance with the European Union (Prevention of Sharps Injuries in the Healthcare Sector) Regulations 2014 by;
- Clearly stating the HSE’s policy in relation to the management of sharps and prevention of sharp injuries.
- Establishing organisational responsibilities in relation to the management of sharps and prevention of sharp injuries.
- Providing managers and employees with support on how to prevent, identify and manage the risk of exposure to sharps with a focus on hazard identification and risk assessment.
- Providing a framework to ensure that safe systems and practices of work, including training, are in place to avert incidents of sharp injuries, and minimise associated risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Increasing employee awareness on the safe management of sharps and prevention of sharp injuries.
- Emphasising the importance of having effective systems for the reporting, recording and reviewing of sharp incidents including the awareness of appropriate staff supports.