ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROCESS (APP) Needles / Syringes Found in Workplace. Number: 010 Safety Module Revision Date: 2009/09

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1 Needles / Syringes Found in Workplace Rating level of risk 2 Number: 010 Safety Module Revision Date: 2009/09 No retraining is required as a result of this update. Only the format has been changed. Revisions are marked with an. Please review these changes with your employees. Revisions are marked with an #. No retraining is required as a result of this update. This module has been extensively updated. Please review it with your employees. This module is new. A complete training is required. History : The history of this module that was previously available via the hyperlink APP Update Summary has been moved below : New section added: PROCEDURE FOR PERSONAL DISPOSAL OF SYRINGES / NEEDLES IN BELL OCCUPIED BUILDINGS : Removal of information on self-sealing disposable plastic bag and antiseptic solution contained in First Aid Kits : To provide information on standardized Sharps Container as well as the procedure to follow if a syringe is found in Bell administrative building. Table of contents # NEEDLES / SYRINGES FOUND IN WORKPLACE... 3 USE... 3 INTRODUCTION... 3 EXPOSURE RISK... 3 HEALTH HAZARD... 3 PROCEDURES IN CASE OF INJURY... 4 REMOVING A SYRINGE / NEEDLE IN YOUR WORKSPACE... 4 SYRINGE / NEEDLE SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURE... 5 DISPOSAL PROCEDURES... 5 PROCEDURE FOR SYRINGES / NEEDLES FOUND IN BELL-OCCUPIED BUILDINGS... 6 PROCEDURE FOR PERSONAL DISPOSAL OF SYRINGES / NEEDLES IN BELL-OCCUPIED BUILDINGS. 6 TRAINING AND FOLLOW-UP TEST... 7 MANAGER'S OBSERVATION GUIDE... 7 TRAINING PERMIT 1

2 AUTHORISATION OTHER REFERENCES Environnemental Services Bell Canada Human Resources web site Main page Canada Labour Code Regulations respecting Occupational H&S made under Part II of the Canada Labour Code 2

3 NEEDLES / SYRINGES FOUND IN WORKPLACE USE This module deals with the danger and the precautions to be taken when needles and/or syringes are found in the workplace. INTRODUCTION Hypodermic needles and/or syringes have been found by Bell Canada employees working in areas such as manholes or telephone booths in the following urban centres: Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City. They may also be found in Bell-occupied buildings (ex. washrooms) This module discusses the following topics: Exposure Risk Health Hazard Injury Procedures Removing a Syringe/Needle in your Workplace Syringe/Needle Safe Handling Procedures Disposal Procedures Procedures for syringes/needles found in Bell-occupied buildings EXPOSURE RISK The risk of contracting a disease from accidentally being pricked or jabbed from these discarded syringes and/or needles is minimal. Even though the risk is low, employees must take all necessary precautions to prevent an injury when finding a syringe and/or needle in their work area. HEALTH HAZARD 1. Viruses are transmitted through body fluids possibly contained in discarded syringes/needles. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency) and is usually the disease of most concern. 2. HIV is a fragile virus that dies when exposed to heat, water or air. HIV requires three conditions to be transmitted: a) fresh blood, b) sufficient quantity, and c) a route of entry into the bloodstream of the employee. 3. The risk of acquiring the Hepatitis B virus is greater because it is contained in all types of body fluids (sweat, saliva, tears, blood) and can survive outside the body for a longer period of time. There is a vaccination available that prevents Hepatitis B infection. 3

4 NOTE: There are no cures for these diseases once acquired. PROCEDURES IN CASE OF INJURY 1. If accidentally stuck by a syringe or needle, to minimize exposure risk, immediately: a) Put on protective gloves on spare(s) hand(s) to prevent the infection to the wound. b) Express the wound. This means to apply pressure around puncture to encourage it to bleed. c) Dab blood with absorbent material, such as a tissue or paper towel. d) Apply antiseptic (towelettes) from the First Aid kit onto cut. e) Cover with a bandage. f) The syringe/needle needs to be put in a puncture resistant container. (See next sections on Removing a Syringe/Needle in Your Workplace and Syringe/Needle Safe Handling Procedure) g) If possible, wash your hands with soap and water or antiseptic towelettes contained in the First Aid kit. 2. IMMEDIATELY SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Center, Walk-in Clinic, or a physician. 3. Inform the physician of the accident. The puncture proof container must be given to the physician for safe disposal. The physician will determine treatment and follow-up. 4. Blood may be drawn for laboratory tests, and for preventative reasons, the following shots could be given: Tetanus Immune-Globulin Hepatitis B Vaccination 5. Notify your immediate supervisor so that an accident report is filed (Form BC976). This will also initiate the accident investigation procedure (BC976A-1). REMOVING A SYRINGE / NEEDLE IN YOUR WORKSPACE There are three options for removing a syringe/needle from a workspace. They are in order of preference as follows: 1. Field technicians can remove the syringe/needles using the Safe Handling Procedure included in this APP module. 2. Field technicians can contact in Ontario, the appropriate Cable Repair Manager, or in Quebec, the Cable Repair Bureau, and inform them that a syringe/needle is in their workspace. 4

5 Either a Cable Repair manager or staff person will come to the work location, and safely remove the needle. 3. Field technicians can contact their immediate supervisor to have the syringe/needle removed from the workspace or be provided with the appropriate container. NOTE: Do not leave a discarded syringe unattended on Bell property (ex. phone booth) where it may be accessible to the public or to other Bell employees. SYRINGE / NEEDLE SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURE 1. Pick up syringe with long-nose pliers. 2. If it is just a needle without a syringe, pick up the needle using the longnose pliers at the hub (small plastic part attached to the needle which connects the needle to the syringe). 3. Put the syringe/needles into a Sharps Container (Sort code: NM) 4. Personal protective equipment normally required for their work is all that is necessary, specifically: safety boots, leather work gloves and/or latex gloves, if open sores or cuts are on their hands. DISPOSAL PROCEDURES 1. Deliver the container with the syringe to manager. Some local public health centres and pharmacies may also accept discarded syringes/needles. 2. Managers must telephone to request disposal of their syringe/needles from work centres using the Corporate Responsibility and Environment team (Enviro-Line: BELL ENV). 3. The Corporate Responsibility and Environment team is responsible for the proper disposal of the hypodermic needles and/or syringes. They will use a licensed agent authorized by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) or the Ministère de l Environnement (MENV). The Corporate Responsibility and Environment team is responsible for completing and maintaining the manifests with the authorized licensed agent. 5

6 PROCEDURE FOR SYRINGES / NEEDLES FOUND IN BELL- OCCUPIED BUILDINGS # PROCEDURE FOR PERSONAL DISPOSAL OF SYRINGES / NEEDLES IN BELL-OCCUPIED BUILDINGS If any employee finds a syringe/needle in a Bell-occupied building (ex. in the washroom), the following steps be taken: 1. Do not touch syringe/needle 2. Inform your manager. 3. Manager should report the incident to the Nexacor Call Centre at Ontario: Québec: NOTE: Nexacor will dispatch a building maintenance employee for immediate removal of syringe/needle. 4. A temporary sign should be installed until removal is complete (ex. CAUTION-Do not touch) in order to prevent an accidental injury to another person. If any employee is using a syringe/needle in a Bell-occupied building for injection of medication and do not have a disposal container, the following steps can be taken: 1. Contact your local public health centres or pharmacies, they will usually provide safe disposal containers that you can return to the prescription counter when full. 2. If not available, inform your manager of the situation. The manager can order the Bell Sharps Container (Sort code: NM). 3. Keep the container at your work station in a safe area (not exposed to other persons) that can be locked when you are not at your work station. 4. Follow the above disposal procedures in this APP 6

7 TRAINING AND FOLLOW-UP TEST Following are some knowledge testing questions that are not intended to be all encompassing. The manager is encouraged to add to these questions. It is strongly suggested that a "one-on-one show me technique" be utilised whenever possible. Where the manager has not recently observed the individual demonstrating their knowledge through ongoing observation, the manager is obliged to ask the individual to demonstrate (by the "show me technique") that they are fully knowledgeable on the subject matter of this module. Questions: 1. What procedures must be followed if accidentally stuck by a syringe or needle? 2. Name one of the three options for removing a syringe/needle from a workspace? 3. How can the syringe/needle be handled safely? 4. What are the syringe/needle disposal procedures? 5. Other. 6. Other. 7. Other. MANAGER'S OBSERVATION GUIDE Observations: 1. Does the employee carry a First Aid Kit in his vehicle? 2. Is personal protective equipment being used by the employee? 3. Other. 4. Other. 5. Other. 7