Sharps-Related Incidents and a New Training Resource on Sharps Safety

A sharps-related incident is defined as any exposure incident involving needle-stick injuries, or cuts caused by a scalpel, blade or other sharp objects (e.g., broken glass, razors or wires). These injuries or cuts are particularly hazardous when they involve biological agents, as they may lead to infections or intoxications. Such incidents may occur during active use, disassembly or disposal of sharps.

Between January 1, 2016, and October 31, 2024, Laboratory Incident Notification Canada observed that sharps-related incidents were one of the most cited exposure occurrence types, sometimes alternating or tied with procedure-related incidents. For instance, sharps-related incidents ranged from a low of 27% in 2019 to a high of 38% in 2022 of the reported confirmed exposure incidents. During this period, a total of 146 individuals were affected by sharps-related exposure incidents, where the:

•          most affected individuals were students (41%), followed by technicians/technologists (34%);
•          most reported sectors were the academic sector (61%) followed by hospitals (18%);
•          most common activity being performed was in vivo animal research (36%), followed by microbiology (24%).

To help prevent sharps-related injuries, the Centre for Biosecurity has developed a new 5-minute video on the safe handling of sharps and needles. The video provides an overview of the use of sharps and offers guidance on how to address and avoid potentially hazardous scenarios. This new resource is valuable in promoting sharps safety and preventing injuries.

Remember that reporting exposure incidents to the Public Health Agency of Canada is mandatory under section 13 of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act. Not reporting an exposure incident is an offence and may lead to enforcement actions.