Abstract: A sharps protection system for a blood collection set, needle, syringes, other hollow needle invasive instruments and other sharp instruments such as scalpels. This system includes a sharp pointed needle having a tip at a first end and a handle coupled to the needle proximate to the end of the needle opposite to the tip. A protection mechanism is coupled to the handle and the needle for selectively protecting the tip of the needle from undesired physical contact. The protection mechanism is moveable from a first, inactive state to a second, protective state in which at least the tip of the needle is covered by the protection mechanism and protected against inadvertent contact. The sharps protection system is particularly suitable in connection with a butterfly type IV blood collection set.