To think my friend needles clarification on this?

[Flossyfloof]

My cleaner cleans for various other people. Ts week, when emptying a bin she picked her finger on a syringe, it was actually stuck in her finger and she had to pull it out. The lady whose house it was has a sharps box but clearly didn't use it on this occasion, just chucked it in the bin. My cleaner asked if there was any reason to be worried about this and the lady said it was just saline.
I am shocked by this and have no idea what you would be using saline for.
I am inclined to advise her to contact the woman and ask for clarification. What do you think? I don't want to worry her but I would want to know exactly what the syringe was for and confirmation that the woman doesn't have anything infection. I don't know, perhaps I am just overreacting...

I have just checked HMRC site on people working in your home and the criteria for which they are considered employees are:-

• If you provide payslips
• you provide them with a contract of employment

Also they will only work for you in most cases, which on it's own rules out cleaners as, unless a person has a mansion and has it cleaned daily it would just not be worth a cleaner to have just one client.

Most cleaners I know will do two to three houses per day, they really do have to set out their own terms and conditions for cases such as these or they will be on their own if a legal case ensues!

The reason Im taking this so seriously is because there is a serious lesson to learn here, you cannot just be so blase about these things and hope someone will take care of it - they won't, you need a watertight agreement signed!

Coffee - Catsofa would only be right if the cleaner was an employee - she isn't unfortunately, see above criteria!

Also citizen's advice bureau site states that those working in a home are not covered by the usual health and safety laws - GET IT IN YOUR CONTRACT/AGREEMENT PEOPLE sorry to shout but it is serious!!

If your friend isn't worried why are you getting involved? Do you think she is incapable of sorting this out herself?

A quick update - GP says risk is minimal but has arranged a blood test and she will have a follow up test in February.
Thanks very much for your thoughts and advice. With regard to working for this woman again it really isn't my business to be honest but If I were her I would be giving up that particular job.