[Occupational accident with sharp edge material among workers of an operating center].

Occupational accidents involving piercing-cutting material are a concern for institutions and health workers due to the high frequency of invasive procedures and the dynamics involved in their practice. The objective of the present study was to identify the incidence of accidents, devices involved, contributing factors and post-accident behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 127 healthcare workers from the operating center. Of the total number of accidents reported, 23.6% (30/127) involved piercing-cutting materials, including needles (73.3%), scalpels (6.7%) and electrocautery (6.7%). The factors contributing to the accident were: lack of attention (36.7%), poor working conditions (20.0%), neglect (13.3%), rushing (10%) and accident/chance (6.7%). Only 15.4% of the accidents were recorded. Underreporting was due to: irrelevance of the accident, unaware of the protocol of routine, negligence and work overload. Results show the importance of implementing strategies for adopting/reviewing post-accident protocols aiming at reducing accidents and their underreporting.