We are more aware than ever before of the risks of sharps injury.

Safety needles, retractable devices or passive covers, sharps bins and boxes, even new EU and, eventually, UK legislation that mandates the use of safety sharps. But the word is sharps, not needles, and yet the focus is very definitely on the latter. The risks associated with the use and disposal of scalpel blades are as great and yet little is being done, so far, to raise awareness.

At least one company is working hard to provide a range of safety devices to reduce sharps injury from scalpel blades. No doubt there are others but it is appropriate now to increase awareness, of the broader context of sharps safety and the risks associated with scalpel blades and other sharp devices to protect the health and safety of all those involved in the use and disposal of sharps.