DATA SHEET

Biomedical Waste Sharps

Ref. 29 CFR §1910.1030

Overview

• Discarded sharps are regulated as Biomedical Wastes.

• The best way to prevent cuts and sticks is to minimize contact with sharps. Sharps must never be sheared or broken.

• Plastic sharp containers must be used for needles, scalpels, Pasteur pipettes and sharp broken glass.

Requirements

• Sharp containers must be puncture resistant, have a lid, maintained in an upright position and the sides and bottom must be leakproof.

• Sharp containers must be labeled or color coded red to ensure that the contents are recognizable as hazardous and be located as near as possible to the area of use.

• All containers of biomedical waste must be labeled with the international biological hazard symbol and one of the following phrases: "Biomedical Waste"; "Biohazardous Waste"; "Biohazard"; "Infectious Waste"; or "Infectious Substance".

• Employees must never reach by hand into containers of contaminated sharps.

• Once full, sharp containers must be sealed closed. Storage of biomedical waste shall not exceed 30 days from the date the sharp container is filled and sealed.

• Prior to transport, sharp containers shall be labeled with the generator’s name and address. Outer containers shall be labeled with the transporter’s name, address, registration number, and 24-hour telephone number.

Record Keeping

• Retain ‘Receipt of Pick-Up" from the transporter to document proper sharp management and for waste generation reports.