Injuries from contaminated needles and other sharp instruments are a recognised risk in the health care sector, and can lead to pathogens from an infected person’s blood being transferred to the care worker. Typical diseases capable of being contracted in this way include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis. To counter this and to comply with an EU Directive, the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations came into force on 11 May. Further information can be found in the health care section of HSE’s website at Http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/needlesticks/