Whether you work in a doctor's office, manage a tattoo shop, or administering vaccines, you probably handle a few sharps throughout the year. Sharps is well known in healthcare as a medical term for devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture skin, like needles and syringes. They are commonly used in medical and healthcare settings but also at home or while traveling to manage medical conditions.
Making sure sharps are disposed of safely is important, regardless of how or where they’re used. Not properly disposing of sharps puts those handling the waste at risk for injury and can cause the generator large fines. Medical waste of any kind can pose a threat to public health and our communities when it is released improperly into the environment. Following simple safety measures can ensure your sharps are handled and disposed of properly.
What Makes Sharps So Dangerous?
Sharps are classified as objects that puncture the skin, like for drawing blood or administering vaccines. Not properly handling or managing sharps can cause injuries and have potentially dangerous effects on people and the environment. There are a variety of Sharps used in healthcare setting applications, such as needles, syringes, lancets, and auto-injectors are all common examples of sharps. When sharps are improperly handled, they can spread potentially infectious diseases after accidental needlesticks.
How Can We “Stay Sharp” on Sharps Disposal?
Having guidelines and protocols for handling sharps and how to safely dispose of them is a good place to start. Keep your staff educated on safety measures when sharps are in use, when they’re being deposited into sharps, and when they’re being packaged for waste disposal. Using appropriate, approved sharps containers, generally red in color, is the safest way to dispose of sharps. There are many local, state, and federal regulations for properly disposing of sharps, particularly those that are commercially-generated.
If you work in a healthcare setting or other business that handles sharps on a regular basis, then you need to make sure your working environment is safe. It is important to have a sharps injury prevention program in place, as well as well-trained and educated personnel in the event a needlestick injury does occur. For more information about Sharps Safety training and Exposure Plans, we offer OSHA compliance online training to cover all your safety needs.
You are now “Sharp on Sharps”! Now what?
The last step is partnering with a reputable sharps waste disposal company. Proper disposal of your sharps waste keeps everyone safe. Partner with a disposal company you can trust helps make your job a little easier and ease of knowing your sharps have been disposed of in a compliant and safe manor. A good medical waste disposal partner will understand and adhere to all local, state, and federal regulatory requirements when it comes to medical waste, including handling, transporting, and disposal.
Sharps Disposal Partner You Can Trust
At Larson-Miller, we take pride in our 35 years of experience in managing sharps and medical waste for generators of all kinds and all sizes. We are the trusted medical waste disposal partner throughout Idaho, Utah, and Oregon with a flawless compliance record always adhering to all local, state, and federal regulatory regulations to keep our communities and the environment safe. Contact us today to discuss how we can partner to help manage your medical waste, (208) 323-7272 or (801) 738-6545.