There are a couple of circumstances where you might cite improper sharps use. One might be where you observe or learn that the lab worker is using the wrong sharp tool for the job or using improper technique. The other, more likely, circumstance is when you observe sharps that are not properly cared for or stored.
These exhibits show improper storage. Exhibit A shows a container where sharps are not fully contained. Another instance might be an unprotected needle lying on the floor. Exhibit B shows unprotected needles and razor blades on the countertops. These items should be stored in a sheath or protected by other means that prevent accidental injury or disposed in a proper sharps container.
Some examples of protecting razor blades is to push them blade-down into Styrofoam or using a magnetic strip on a shelf to keep them off the benchtop. A few examples of situations that you might observe related to improper use or technique include:
- Recapping needles using two hands. A one-handed technique is recommended if a needle must be recapped because it is not a single use device. Single use devices should be disposed in a proper sharps container without recapping;
- Handling broken glassware with bare hands;
- Using a pocket-knife to cut tubing rather than scissors or utility knife.
Sharps should be placed into the container in a manner such that they are fully-contained; meaning that someone is not likely to accidentally puncture themselves when placing another sharp into the container or when preparing the container for disposal. The container should be sealed and disposed before it is completely full. Exhibit A shows improperly collected sharps. The sharps container is overflowing, and not labeled.
Sharps intended for disposal should be contained within a rigid, puncture and leak-resistant, sealable, and labeled container. Pictures following show appropriate sharps disposal containers. The box labeled GLASS is for broken glass and pipettes not for needles or razor blades. The red rigid containers are specifically designed for sharps contaminated with biological or infectious material. Notice they have the universal biohazard symbol and are colored red. These types of containers should not be used for non-infectious waste, unless the biohazard symbol is completely obliterated and the container is clearly marked as “non-infectious”.
Likewise, the broken glass boxes should not be used for sharps that are contaminated with biological material, even if the labeling is augmented. If sturdy cardboard is used, it should have a plastic liner to keep liquids from permeating the box. In all cases, the sharps container should be securely closed when disposed. For a box, this usually means taping it shut. Biowaste containers usually have an engineered lid that locks shut.
For additional guidance see EHS SOP, Sharps – Handling and Disposing.
Note: the disposal of unbroken glass containers falls into a gray area. These containers are not sharps. Neither can they be disposed of as regular trash. Unbroken glass containers should either be directly disposed to dumpsters, placed in specific glassware disposal bins or through specific arrangements with Custodial Services.
For additional guidance see EHS SOP’s, Glass Disposal – Intact or Broken; Ground Glass and Glassware Safety.