An anonymous postal survey was undertaken to assess the frequency of hygiene service engineers finding sharp objects (including needles) in the washrooms in which they worked. Data on the type of sharps found and their exact location were collected along with information on the type and number of accidents which had occurred. As a result of the survey it was clear that, although the number of recorded accidents was small, a significant number of accidents were not being reported and that finding sharps was a common occurrence for these workers. Recommendations to management on working practises and procedures and on the need for immunization are outlined.