Highly infectious — can survive on surfaces up to 7 days
Group 3
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
No vaccine available — universal precautions essential
Group 3
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
PEP must be started within 72 hours of exposure
Vaccination Requirements
Hepatitis B vaccination
All artists and piercers must have a completed course of Hep B vaccination. A booster (if titre levels have fallen) is strongly recommended. Record vaccination status below.
Training & Awareness
All staff who handle sharps must have received BBV awareness training covering: routes of transmission, universal precautions, safe sharps handling, and the sharps injury protocol.
Cross-reference — Sharps Injury Protocol
A dedicated Sharps Injury Protocol poster is displayed at all workstations. It covers the immediate response to needlestick and sharps injury, including wound care, NHS 111/A&E referral, PEP for HIV (within 72 hours), and RIDDOR reporting obligations. All staff must be familiar with this procedure before handling sharps. A&E: [details withheld — call 999 / NHS 111].
Universal precautions apply to all clients without exception. BBV status of clients is unknown in all cases. All blood, body fluids, and used sharps must be treated as potentially infectious regardless of any health information provided by the client.
4
Hazard Identification & Risk Control
Likelihood × Severity — 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest)
Risk Rating: Score = Likelihood × Severity | 1–4 LOW5–9 MEDIUM10–14 HIGH15–25 VERY HIGH
#
Hazard
Persons at Risk
L
S
Rating
Control Measures
L¹
S¹
Residual
Action / By Whom
5
Risk Summary & Acceptability
Highest Inherent Risk Identified
—
Highest Residual Risk (after controls)
—
6
Sign-Off & Review
Review required: Annually as a minimum, or following any sharps injury or BBV exposure incident, change of staff handling sharps, change in working practices, or legislative update.
Role
Full Name
Position / Qualifications
Date
Assessor (Prepared by)
Responsible Person (Client)
Assessor Signature
Signature redacted for online previewAuthorised via electronic delivery — AB SiteSafe
Client Signature
Sign to confirm receipt and implementation of this assessment