Handling Sharps

1. Handling Sharps Needles and broken glass

2. Needles • Always point sharps away from you and other people. • In general, do not recap sharps. • If you need to cap, use the one-handed scoop method. • If your lab uses lot of sharps and must recap them, visit http://www.dehs.umn.edu/bio_pracprin_su_ss.htm for better recap procedures including re-sheathing needles or use of mechanical re-capping devices. UofM, Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Sharps Safety http://www.dehs.umn.edu/bio_pracprin_su_ss.htm

3. Needles • When in use, keep sharps where they clearly visible and facing away from the edgecounter. • Dispose of sharps in a properly labeled sharps container. • Needles must not be bent, sheared, broken, recapped, removed from disposable syringes, or otherwise manipulated before disposal. • Never fill containers more than 3/4 full. • Close and seal the top of containers before placing next to regular trash (inside the lab) for pick-up by custodians. UofM, Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Sharps Safety http://www.dehs.umn.edu/bio_pracprin_su_ss.htm

4. Broken Glass • Do not pick up broken glass with hands, • Use mechanical means such as a brush and dustpan, tongs, or forceps. UofM, Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Sharps Safety http://www.dehs.umn.edu/bio_pracprin_su_ss.htm