Skip to main content

Universal Precautions: Footwear & Attire

Posted in .

To help prevent needlestick injury and pathogen exposure, harm reduction workers should always wear closed shoes while working. Flat shoes that are comfortable for walking, made of leather or another heavy material, are also recommended but not required.

Harm reduction workers are advised to wear long pants made of heavier denim or canvas to site. If skirts or shorts are worn, they should be of heavier fabric and reach at least to the knee. Be thoughtful about wearing dangling jewelry or other accessories that might get caught on things.

Featured Hacks

These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive. 

Hacks for Reaching Affirmation & Accord

Featured in: ,
One of the main goals of active listening with an agitated person is reaching affirmation and accord. You are looking to try and find ways to agree with the person who is agitated. Even if you don’t entirely agree with the person, try to find at least a small way in which they may be right, or in which you can be on the same page, or team, with them.
Read this Hack

Hacks for Non-Verbal Active Listening

Featured in: ,
When someone is agitated or in distress, how we carry ourselves can make a huge difference. Non-verbal cues—like posture, breathing, and personal space—can either calm a situation or escalate it further. The following tips offer guidance on using body language to reduce tension, show respect, and create a safer, more grounded interaction.
Read this Hack