Construction union UCATT is warning house maintenance workers to keep an eye out for dirty needles while working in empty properties.
Several UCATT regions reported finding needles in repossessed properties, and numerous workers have suffered needlestick injuries while clearing rubbish from properties that are being refurbished. In some extreme cases, light switches and sockets have been booby-trapped with needles.
Those that suffer needlestick injuries risk contracting blood diseases such as hepatitis B or C, and HIV. In order to reduce the number of accidents UCATT is urging local authorities and maintenance companies to introduce training to educate staff about the dangers of dirty needles.
A spokesperson for the organisation told SHP: “Under the current financial climate, levels of evictions and repossessions are increasing. In a small minority of cases, needles have been left behind in properties. We are urging managers to warn staff about the dangers of needlestick injuries before they enter particular properties.”
