Medical waste is not the same as regular household waste. They contain infectious and sharp items from medical treatments and laboratories. And coming into contact with such waste can lead to the spread of diseases.
For instance, discarded shapes can seriously injure anyone who comes into contact. This is where sharps bins come in. However, there are many ways how you can dispose of sharps safely. Here is all you need to know.
How to Safely Dispose of Sharps?
To protect the public and the surroundings, safe handling and disposal of sharps is very important. To dispose of them safely special equipment is used such as sharps bins such as yellow sharp bins for needles and sharp waste. Because these are dangerous and can cause injuries, they are disposed of in dedicated environments.
When disposing of sharps it must be dropped into the correct yellow sharps disposal bin. You can also use items such as disgard sharp pads to safely dispose of needles and blades. Remember, the waste shouldn’t touch the outside and should be emptied when the bin is 3 quarters full. This will not only prevent injuries but also stop the disease from spreading.
What Can You Throw in a Sharps Bin?
Wondering what items can be thrown in a sharps bin? The items include:
- Disposable scalpels
- Disposable blades
- Hypodermic needles
- Syringes
- Lancets
- Piercing needles
- Tattoo needles
- Contaminated broken glass
- Sharp knives
- Sharp scissors
- Pins
- Staples
- Metal wire
In addition to sharps, the sharps bins must also be kept safely such as not on the floor or above shoulder level and out of reach of patients and people. Instead, it must be stored in a clinical or dedicated area.
How to Dispose of your Sharps Containers?
Disposing of sharps containers is very important and must be done carefully. The most safest and common method is contacting supervised hazardous waste collection sites. Besides, you can also rely on a licensed waste management company for regular and reliable services. Moreover, to minimize the risk of accidental opening, you can dispose of your needles and other sharps using sharps protecta pads.
Where Should Sharps Bins be Used?
There are a range of industries that must use sharps bins such as:
- One of the most common places is medical institutions such as hospitals, dentists, doctors and clinics.
- Another place is school as regular use of sharps items, such as pins, staples, scissors, stationery supplies, etc.
- Another place is cosmetic industries such as tattoo parlours, salons, hairdressers, piercing salons, etc.
- Another place is the clothing industry such as tailors, shoemakers, and seamstresses as they regularly use objects like needles and more.
- Another common place is residential care homes or external care.
- Another industry is the food industry as they use knives, glass, crockery, etc.
- Other places include veterinary practices, washrooms and public places.
