Discard Sharp Objects Properly to Avoid Injury

A Berkeley Lab custodian nearly punctured his finger on a pin-mounted partition hook partially stuck into an old headset that was in a trash can. This sharp should have been placed in a sharps container, which is a rigid container designed to protect personnel from sharp items. A sharp is any device having corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing the skin, such as needles and razor blades. Sharps containers can be ordered from eBuy (click on "GSS" then select LSS vendor). More details on the proper disposal of sharps and broken glass can be found at Medical Waste, Sharps Waste Management .

Recommended Actions

For sharps that are not contaminated with biohazardous material, remove or cover any biohazard symbols or labeling on the sharps container that says biohazardous or infectious waste. Label the container "Unregulated Sharps." These sharps must also be free from chemical and/or radioactive contamination. Sharps containers must be transferred to the nearest medical waste pickup container. Fill out the Medical Waste Accumulation Log and describe the waste as an "unregulated sharps container."

Uncontaminated broken glass should also be managed carefully. Glass free from any biohazardous, radioactive, and chemical contamination should be disposed of by packaging in a cardboard box or other rigid container. When the box containing the glassware is full, seal the box closed and label "Broken Glass." Set the box out for janitorial pickup. Although any rigid container or cardboard box may be used, you can also purchase cardboard boxes made especially for glassware disposal.