SafeTraceAcademySharps & Drug-Use Items in Rentals: Quick Reference
What to do when you find needles, drug items or blood during your work in a rental.
General information only. Not legal advice or first aid training. Your organisation's procedures come first.
Look before you reach
- Look before reaching into bins, drawers or bedding.
- Never press down on rubbish or bags with your hands.
- Lift cushions and mattresses slowly. Look first.
- Latex gloves do not stop a needle.
Found a needle? Not trained or equipped
- Don't pick it up.
- Keep people away, especially children.
- Mark the spot so others are not at risk.
- Report it and arrange trained collection.
- Never recap, bend or snap a used needle.
- Never put sharps in bins, drains or toilets.
Drug items and blood
- Don't touch pipes, foil, bags or other drug items.
- Don't question or accuse the occupant.
- Treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they could carry infection.
- Isolate the area, keep people away and report it.
- A specialist service is engaged. You don't handle it.
Needlestick injury
- Flush with running water.
- Wash with warm water and soap.
- Dry and cover with a waterproof dressing.
- Go straight to your doctor or nearest emergency department.
- Report it to your supervisor.
Who to contact
- Your supervisor or office, so your procedure is followed.
- Trained staff or a contractor for sharps collection.
- Your local council: many offer syringe collection or disposal advice.
- Needle and Syringe Program (Victorian Department of Health): retrieval and disposal information.
- Doctor or emergency department: any needlestick or exposure.
Record and report
- When: the date and time.
- What and how: plain facts, such as "syringe under bathroom vanity".
- Where: the room and item.
- Facts only. No guesses about people.
- Report near misses and hazards too.
- Ask for the file to be updated.
Signs of a possible drug lab? STOP, LEAVE, CALL
- Strong chemical smells, covered windows, lots of containers you can't explain.
- Don't touch, open or move anything.
- Leave straight away with anyone who is with you.
- Call police: 000 in an emergency, or 131 444 for non-urgent matters.
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