Sharps injury risk - recycling centres

From: Ian blenkharn@ianblenkharn.com
Category: News & information
Date: 29 Jul 2008
Time: 14:15:57 +0200
Remote Name: 86.133.234.230

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"A grandfather who was stabbed by a discarded syringe while working at a recycling centre faces an anxious wait to find out whether he has caught any diseases from the needle.

"But although Ray Wood, 58, will not get the all-clear for at least a year, he has returned to his job as a supervisor at the Norfolk Environmental Waste Services (NEWS) recycling centre at Costessey.

"Six weeks ago Mr Wood, from Sutton, went to pick up a plastic bottle which was in the wrong waste stream, when he felt the needle come through his glove and prick the side of his right hand.

"More than 470 discarded syringes have passed through the centre so far this year - more than double the number in the first half of last year, and the problem is growing.

"Four people have been stabbed by needles at the centre while sorting through waste since it opened four years ago, and although this figure is small for the number of syringes that pass through it, it is still a worrying statistic.

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Last changed: 09/21/10