Superior Points HRP - Canadian Harm Reduction Network

Counseling and referralsSAFETY PRACTICES & PROCEDURESStandard Precautions:All staff who engage in needle exchange must always practice standardprecautions to avoid exposure and injury. Standard precautions assumethat all materials/individuals are infected.• Barrier protection should be used at all times to prevent skin andmucous membrane contamination with blood, body fluids containingvisible blood, or other body fluids. Barrier protection should be usedwith ALL tissues/body fluids.• Gloves are to be worn when there is potential for hand or skincontact with blood, other potentially infectious material, or items andsurfaces contaminated with these materials (whether visible or not).• Wash hands or other skin surfaces thoroughly and immediatelyif contaminated with blood, body fluids containing visible blood, orother body fluids to which universal precautions apply.• Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed. Also use analcohol-based hand sanitizer.• Avoid accidental injuries that can be caused by needles, cleaninginstruments, handling sharp instruments, and disposing of usedneedles.• Used needles, disposable syringes, and other sharp items are tobe places in puncture resistant containers marked with abiohazard symbol for safe disposal.SUPERIOR POINTS HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMProtocols for Staff, Volunteers and Community Agencies11