The EU Council Directive 2010/32/EU accepted into UK law under the Health and Safety (Sharps Instruments in Healthcare) regulations 2013, aims to achieve the safest possible environment for healthcare workers, through the preventions of sharps related injuries. The legislation calls for consideration of medical devices incorporating safety-engineered mechanisms, as part of risk assessment processes, alongside training and education in best practice, when handling sharp devices.

The NEW 'Safety Scalpel with Retracting Guard' and 'Retractable Safety Scalpel' are two variations of safety scalpel designs that Swann-Morton manufacture. Both safety scalpels have been designed with built in safety features to assist in reducing the risk of accidental sharps injury, whilst further supporting and enhancing, safe passing procedures and protocols.

The NEW 'Safety Scalpel with Retracting Guard', with a graduated measure and ergonomic design, comes with a fixed, preloaded blade on a handle. This is covered with a retractable safety guard, which protects the blades cutting edge. Available in 11 different blade shapes including a stitch cutter.

The 'Retractable Safety Scalpel' by Swann-Morton has a high visibility red handle and incorporates a manually retracting blade mounted on a colour coded slider. Available in 15 different blade shapes.