Handling Contaminated Sharps

Extreme caution should be used when handling contaminated needles or other sharp objects. 8 CCR 5193 contains specific guidelines for minimizing the risk of exposure:

• Use techniques that minimize the risk of injury when handling patients during procedures that involve withdrawing body fluids; accessing veins or arteries; and administering vaccines, medications, or fluids.
• Containers for contaminated sharps should be rigid, puncture resistant, leak-proof on the sides and bottom, portable (if necessary), and properly labelled.
• If the discarded sharps will not be reused, the container should also be closable and sealable in a way that makes the container difficult to open.
• Contaminated sharps should be disposed of as soon as possible after use.
• The disposal containers should be easily accessible at all times, and as close as possible to the area where sharps will be used or found. Portable containers can make this easier to achieve.
• The disposal containers should remain upright at all times.
• The disposal containers should be replaced often to avoid overfilling.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.