Sharps Disposal

Engineering controls include the proper disposal of sharps, which is regulated by OSHA, as follows:

• Sharps disposal containers must be kept in a safe, easy to reach place.
• Sharps disposal containers must be kept in a place that is near a work area for quick and safe disposal of used sharps.
• Sharps disposal containers must be changed when full.
• If sharps disposal containers become full, they must be replaced so the containers do not spill over.
• It is a good idea to replace sharps disposal containers when they are two-thirds full.
• Sharps disposal containers must be clearly marked.
• Sharps disposal containers must be closeable, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and labeled. These features allow for safe disposal in a container that is familiar to all workers.
• The number of times an artist's hands are in contact with a sharp should be reduced, if possible.
• When handling or disposing a used sharp, tattooists and piercers should use a tool instead of their fingers to pick up or hold the sharp. This may reduce needlestick injuries.
• A sharps incident log should be kept for each shop.
• Though OSHA regulations do not generally require a body artist to keep an injury log, a record of cuts from sharps can increase awareness of sharps-related injuries. A sharps incidence log lets artists know how often sharps-related injuries happen and under what conditions. It allows artists to learn from their and others' mistakes and reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

To learn more about Body Art Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Bloodborne Pathogens Tattoo Artist & Body Piercers Online Training web page.