Always wear disposable surgical gloves when sampling blood. Health and safety issues need to be considered when using needles. In order to prevent needle stick injury the operator should not re-sheathe or tamper with the blade, it should be disposed of in a sharps box immediately after use. Likewise, glass capillary tubes must be disposed of immediately in a sharps bin after analysis of the sample.

In the event of a needle stick injury, the wound should be squeezed to encourage bleeding and the wound washed out thoroughly. Always follow local policies and procedures.

In the event of a blood spillage, restrict access to the area until it has been cleaned.