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The Safe Use & Disposal of Sharps

Sharps, such as needles, require safety use and disposal standards due to the severe hazards they pose. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 5.6 million healthcare workers are at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

  1. Significance

    • Bloodborne pathogens, such as Hepatitis C and HIV, are life-threatening and can infect healthcare workers, patients or visitors if sharps are not disposed of according to standards. OSHA has regulations in place to prevent needle stick accidents that lead to bloodborne pathogen exposure.

    Features

    • OSHA says that to use sharps safely, employees must pay attention to how they handle sharps. For example, workers should not bend, remove or recap contaminated needles. Also, contaminated sharps must not be sheared or broken. To avoid accidental needle sticking, sharps must be disposed of immediately after use. OSHA recommends keeping disposal containers nearby when employees are working with sharps.

    Function

    • Sharps disposal containers are different than ordinary trashcans. According to OSHA, sharps containers are closable, puncture-resistant and leak-proof on the bottom, sides and top. These containers are not allowed to be overfilled, and must be maintained upright at all times. Labeling and color-coding sharps containers is mandatory, so that people are cautioned against the container's contents.

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