[The concept of risk and its symbolic effects in accidents with sharp instruments]

The study aims to understand the occupational risks as symbolic processes that shapes the daily activities of health professionals that manipulate sharps objects. Descriptive research was conducted at a university hospital, with information collected through the survey on the accidents at work in Intensive Care and hospital laundry, with the application of 105 questionnaires. The information was analyzed through an interdisciplinary perspective, and enabled the conciliation of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The results revealed that although the number of accidents is low, it is still necessary to improve the instruments such as the risk map, the use of safety equipment and staff training.