Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
5 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Employer 3
- Contractor 1
Plus 1 non-business duty on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Employers also bound by 171 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 204 duties
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 201 duties
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 1989 55 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 51 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 47 duties
Contractors also bound by 56 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 360 duties
- The Income Tax (Sub-contractors in the Construction Industry) Regulations 1993 1993 19 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 2000 17 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 2012 15 duties
- Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 1996 14 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 11 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO EMPLOYEES
The risk of injury from medical sharps.
Legislative requirements relating to the protection of persons at work...
Good practice in preventing injury from medical sharps.
The benefits and drawbacks of vaccination and non-vaccination in respect...
The support provided by the employer to an employee who...
TRAINING TO BE PROVIDED TO EMPLOYEES
The safe use and disposal of medical sharps.
The correct use of safer sharps.
What employees should do if they are injured at work...
The health surveillance and other procedures to be conducted by...
Use and disposal of medical sharps
- Safely manage the use and disposal of medical sharps Employer
Information and training
- Provide information and training on medical sharps safety Employer
Arrangements in the event of injury
- Investigate and manage medical sharps injuries Employer
Notification of injuries
- Hospital and healthcare staff must report sharps injuries to their employer Contractor
Review
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must review the Sharps Regulations every five years Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 15 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Interpretation
Application of requirements to employers
Application of requirements to employers
Application of requirements to healthcare contractors
Application of requirements to healthcare contractors
Use and disposal of medical sharps
Information and training
Arrangements in the event of injury
Notification of injuries
Extension outside Great Britain
Extension outside Great Britain
Review
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Infection prevention control (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- PHA Northern Ireland IPC guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Antimicrobial stewardship start smart then focus (opens in a new tab) Publication
- World hand hygiene day (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Infection control guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Infection prevention control ipc (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- The health and social care act 2008 code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance (opens in a new tab) Publication
- PHA Northern Ireland IPC guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Public Health Wales IPC guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- NHS Scotland National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Health and Safety Executive
Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates …
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Browse legislation
Find other UK business legislation with related guidance.
Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.