Textiles teachers - hepatitis/HIV risk with pin prick? Any advice

[AnathemaPratchett]

So someone I know is on supply and managed to stab themselves several times with pins while helping in textiles (not normally their subject) - what is the procedure and is there a H&S risk of infection?

Thanks

[SunshineAndShadows]

There would only be a theoretical risk if there was fresh blood or other bodily fluids on the pins.
Those viruses can't survive outside of bodily fluids - they dessicate and die

[AnathemaPratchett]

How would you know if there was fresh blood though? The pin was in a garment the student was sewing and they may have pricked themselves with it already.

[AnathemaPratchett]

Do textiles teacher ever worry about this? Or do they never ever prick themselves?

[Orangeanddemons]

I've taught Textiles for 20 years...I can honestly say this has never ever crossed my mind.

There should be a H &S risk assessment for small and sharp tools, but I frequently stab myself with pins, unpickers ..you name it. But ...nope hepatitis has never ever crossed my mind something else to worry about with a class of 25 scissor wielding y7

[ArmchairTraveller]

Are they panicking or is it just you?

[AnathemaPratchett]

Just me :)

[Luciferbox]

We have a sharps box in the department. We use it for broken saw blades, Stanley knives and pins etc.

[SunshineAndShadows]

realistically the chances of a student having a transmissible illness and pricking themselves immediately before you do on the same pin are infuriate mislay small. Additionally I'd the student has a transmissible illness they're very likely to have been taught what to do in case of injury and would likely have asked for first aid.

[echt]

This should help:

www.aidsmap.com/Risk-of-infection/page/1324549/

[AnathemaPratchett]

Thank you echt - great :) I'll pass it on

[partialderivative]

I remember maths lessons when I was at secondary school back in the 70's. It was quite acceptable to stab the bloke in front of you with your compass, and sometimes draw blood.

Cross fingers that doesn't happen so often now.

[ArmchairTraveller]

Compass designs have changed; much shorter and fatter. You get more damage with a sharp pencil.

[partialderivative]

Good to know Armchair