Needlestick warning for construction workers

UCATT construction union has warned workers involved in housing maintenance to be vigilant for dirty needles in order to avoid possible needlestick injuries, after it received several complaints.

In some extreme cases tenants had booby-trapped light switches and sockets with needles. In other cases workers involved in cleaning and refurbishing empty properties have suffered needlestick injuries when clearing rubbish.

The main physical risk from a needlestick injury is the danger of being exposed to a blood borne disease such as Hepatitis (B or C) or HIV. UCATT urged local authorities, housing associations and other maintenance companies to ensure that the risks from needlestick injuries are minimised.

Alan Ritchie, UCATT general secretary said: “It is imperative that all companies whose workers could potentially be exposed to dirty needles provide training to minimise potential injuries. If an injury should occur it is essential that the company provides advice and counselling to the affected worker.”