Smarter Healthcare: The Story Behind ISO 23907-2: Setting the Scene – The Human Why

Welcome to our Smarter Healthcare series exploring the story behind ISO 23907-2 — the global standard for reusable sharps containers. In this series, we’re joined by Neil Robinson, Strategic Consultant to Sharpsmart and the UK’s representative on the ISO 23907 committee. Across these sessions, Neil unpacks the why behind the standard and what it means for healthcare worker safety. Part 1: Setting the Scene – The Human Why It’s important to ground ourselves in the human side of what we’re talking about. Sharps injuries are not just clinical statistics – they’re moments of fear, anxiety, and potential long-term harm for the people who show up every day to care for others. Despite the tools available, data from the Royal College of Nursing still shows a rise in sharps injuries across the UK, with 32% of those occurring during the disposal process, according to the RCN’s 2023 survey of healthcare workers. This isn’t just a safety issue – it’s a workforce wellbeing issue, a governance issue, and ultimately, a responsibility issue.