• Medical  health care workers  are at risk for getting injured by needles and other devices used to puncture  (e.g. .during  phlebotomy ) or lacerate the skin (sharps) 3,168 cases of needle stick injuries among healthcare workers in Ministry of Health ,Malaysia was  reported from 2002 to 2006 (Occupational Health Unit, Ministry of Health)
• Each injury is potential exposure to diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
• A needle stick (or sharps) injury can happen easily and infection can follow, so it is vital to take immediate precautions so that infection does not result

The World Health Organization recommends the following for workplaces dealing with needle sharps:

Universal Precautions

Hand wash after direct contact with patients.
Use protective barriers such as glovesgowns, masks, to prevent contact with blood and other body fluids.

Work practice controls

• Bending, recapping or clipping of needles is prohibited
• Place  sharps containers at eye level and at arms’ reach,
• Check  sharps containers on a  schedule and emptying them
• before they’re full,
• Collect and dispose of needles and sharps safely