A recent report by the BBC has highlighted the scale of the discarded needle problem in British towns and cities.
The story, broadcast on 2nd April 2014 and published online, reveals that in a two year period at least 3900 discarded needles were found in just nine of Scotland’s largest towns and cities. 2438 needles were reported in Glasgow alone, but even Kirkcaldy in Fife reported 320 discarded needles in the same period.
The report serves as a stark reminder that discarded needles pose a serious public health risk to communities throughout the UK, not just in Scotland, and not just in Britain’s largest cities.
Never attempt to clear any drug paraphernalia, needle, syringe, sharp or other blood contaminated items. HIV can stay live and active on a needle for up to 4 weeks. Hepatitis B and C can stay live on a needle for longer.
Highly accredited SPS operatives are trained and assessed to high levels of sharps awareness and removal. They have the skills to safely search for, remove, and dispose of all needles and similar hazards.
Senior SPS management also deliver sharps awareness training, to ensure your employees benefit from lower risk exposure, fewer absences, and lower stress levels.
Contact us to enquire about our sharps removal services and sharps awareness training courses, and download our sharps awareness training fact sheet to discover more.