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Bloodborne Pathogens and Sharps Safety Course 2026

This course is for security guards who may find used needles or deal with blood while on patrol or giving first aid. It covers hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, routine practices, safe needle pickup and disposal, and what to do after an exposure.

  • Security course
  • Canada
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Start with the lessonsBloodborne Pathogens and Sharps Safety: Lessons: about 30 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Name the main bloodborne pathogens and how they spread
  • Apply routine practices, hand hygiene and gloves
  • Pick up and dispose of a discarded needle safely
  • Use sharps containers correctly
  • Avoid hidden sharps during patrols and searches
  • Take the right steps after a needlestick or splash

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which three bloodborne infections are the main concern after a needlestick injury?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV

    CCOHS names hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV as the main bloodborne concerns from sharps injuries.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    For an unvaccinated person, which infection has the highest estimated risk of spread from a needlestick with infected blood?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Hepatitis B

    CCOHS estimates the risk at about 6% to 30% for hepatitis B, about 1.8% for hepatitis C and about 0.3% for HIV.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which vaccine does CCOHS say eligible workers who may be exposed should get?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Hepatitis B vaccine

    There is a vaccine for hepatitis B, and workers who may be exposed should be vaccinated if eligible.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What does "routine practices" mean for handling blood and body fluids?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious

    Routine practices assume all blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin and soiled items may be infectious.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    What should you do before a task that might expose you to blood?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Do a quick risk assessment to decide what protection you need

    Routine practices start with assessing the risk before the task, so you choose the right protection.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    When is alcohol-based hand sanitizer a good choice for hand hygiene?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When your hands are not visibly dirty

    Use sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled. Use soap and water when they are visibly dirty.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    According to CCOHS, how much alcohol should hand sanitizer contain?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 60%

    CCOHS says alcohol-based hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Do gloves replace hand washing?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No; clean your hands before putting gloves on and after taking them off

    Gloves can have tiny holes and hands get contaminated when removing them, so hand hygiene is still needed.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    You have used gloves to help an injured person. What should you do with them?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Throw them away and use a new pair for the next task

    Gloves are single-use. Change them between people and tasks.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    When do you need eye and face protection, as well as gloves?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When blood or body fluids could splash or spray

    Protect your eyes, nose and mouth when splashes of blood or body fluids are expected.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    You find a used needle on the ground during patrol. What should you NOT do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Recap, bend or break the needle

    Recapping, clipping, bending or breaking a needle increases the chance of being poked.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What is the safest tool for picking up a discarded needle?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tongs or tweezers

    Use tongs or tweezers so your hand stays away from the needle. Gloves alone do not stop punctures.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Where should the sharps container be while you pick up a needle?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. On a flat surface beside the needle, not held in your hand

    Placing the container on a flat surface means your free hand is not near the opening when the needle goes in.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Which way should the sharp end point as you put a needle into the container?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Down, going into the container sharp end first

    Hold the needle by the barrel with the sharp end pointing down and put it in sharp end first.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Which container is acceptable for a discarded needle if no sharps container is available?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A hard plastic container or metal can with a tight lid

    Use a hard plastic or metal container with a tight lid. Glass and cardboard can break or be pierced.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    At what point should a full-looking sharps container be swapped for an empty one?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before it is full, at about three-quarters full

    CCOHS says to replace sharps containers before they are full, at about three-quarters full.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Which feature should a proper sharps container have?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It is rigid, puncture-resistant and labelled with the biohazard symbol

    Sharps containers must be rigid, puncture- and leak-resistant, tamper-resistant and labelled. Keep them away from food.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Where should you NOT put a loose needle?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In the regular garbage or recycling

    Loose needles in garbage or recycling can injure cleaners and waste workers. Use a sharps container or a disposal bin.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    During a bag check, what is the safest habit to avoid hidden sharps?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Do not reach into places you cannot see; ask the person to remove items or use a light

    Hidden needles are a common cause of injury. Look before you touch, and let the person remove items when allowed.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    You are poked by a used needle. What should you do with the wound first?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Let it bleed freely without squeezing, and wash it with soap and water

    Let the wound bleed on its own and wash it with soap and water. Do not squeeze it or use bleach or alcohol.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Blood splashes into your eyes. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Flush your eyes with running water

    Flush exposed eyes, nose or mouth with running water, then report the exposure.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    After a needlestick or blood splash at work, who should you tell right away?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Your employer or supervisor

    Report every exposure to your employer immediately so it is documented and you can get follow-up care.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    After a needlestick from a discarded needle, where should you go?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To the emergency department right away for assessment

    Go to an emergency department promptly. Staff may offer medicine or vaccines and test for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) works best when started when?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As soon as possible, within 72 hours of the exposure

    PEP must be started as soon as possible within the first 72 hours, and it works better the sooner it starts.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    How does KFL&A Public Health describe the risk of infection from an improperly discarded community needle?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Extremely low, but you should still get medical follow-up

    The risk is extremely low, but follow-up care and testing are still recommended after any needlestick.

What to know before the test

  • The main bloodborne concerns from sharps injuries are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
  • Never recap, bend or break a needle; use tongs and put it in a puncture-resistant container sharp end first.
  • Replace sharps containers at about three-quarters full.
  • After a needlestick, let the wound bleed, wash with soap and water, report it and go to an emergency department.
  • HIV PEP should be started as soon as possible within 72 hours of an exposure.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I get poked by a needle?

Let the wound bleed without squeezing, wash with soap and water, report it to your employer right away and go to an emergency department for assessment.

Can I pick up a needle with gloves on?

Gloves protect against fluids but not punctures. Use tongs or tweezers and a puncture-resistant container, and follow your site's procedure.

Is there a vaccine for bloodborne infections?

There is a vaccine for hepatitis B. CCOHS says eligible workers who may be exposed should be vaccinated. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C or HIV.

Why should I go to the hospital quickly after an exposure?

Some treatments, such as HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, work best when started as soon as possible and must start within 72 hours.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Sources

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