GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSAL OF SHARPS

Sharps are defined in the "National Guidelines for the Management of Clinical and related Wastes" published by the National Health and Medical Research Council as "objects or devices having acute rigid corners, edges points or protuberances capable of cutting or penetrating the skin". Hypodermic needles, pasteur pipettes, scalpel blades and broken glass all fit this definition.

All sharps have the potential to cause injury through cuts or puncture wounds. In addition, many sharps are contaminated with blood or body fluids, microbiological materials, toxic chemicals or radioactive substances, posing a risk of infection or illness if they penetrate the skin. It is therefore essential to follow safe procedures when using and disposing of sharps in order to protect staff and students from sharps injuries.

The University's sharps disposal procedures shall be adhered to. Sharps shall be placed into a sharps container as soon as possible after use. To avoid needlestick injuries, needles shall not be re-sheathed. Sharps containers need to be rigid, impervious containers which are discarded when full*. Sharps containers should conform to Australian Standard AS4031-1992 Non-reusable containers for the collection of sharp medical items used in health care areas (or to Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4261:1994 Reusable containers for the collection of sharp items used in human and animal medical applications if local arrangements have been made for reprocessing in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4478:1997 Guide to the reprocessing of reusable containers for the collection of sharp items used in human and animal clinical/medical applications).

* When full, sharps containers holding contaminated sharps SHALL NOT be placed into the general rubbish stream. They are to be included in the University hazardous waste collection service provided by the Risk Management Office. Collection of full sharps containers and other hazardous waste is arranged through the departmental waste contact person. For further information, refer to the Hazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines.


RELATED DOCUMENTS

Guidelines for Disposal of Glass

Clinical and Related Wastes - Guidelines for Management

Hazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines


REFERENCES

National Guidelines for Waste Management in the Health Care Industry, National Health and Medical Research Council, March 1999

National guidelines for the Management of Clinical and related wastes, National Health and Medical Research Council, 1988, AGPS, Canberra.


Notes
Authorised by Risk Management Office 1/6/94

Revised by Leanne Mumford 8/6/01.