What to Do If you Find Used Needles or Syringes Needles and syringes fall under the category of sharps (which also include lancets, auto-injectors, infusion sets and connection needles). About a billion sharps are used each year around the world and disposed of. More often than not, one might chance upon one of these haphazard disposals. This is a red alert area. Handling sharps should be best left in professional hands. This is because, sharps are used to treat a number of infections and diseases (HIV, allergies, cancer, arthritis, blood clotting disorders, psoriasis, besides others). The harmful bloodborne pathogens can be of a contagious nature and can affect another human being coming in contact, through the medium of wounds and cuts in the skin. This is why sharps should be handled with care. When one finds a haphazardly disposed sharp or when one is in the process of handling a sharp, s/he should follow the below: •
SAY NO TO RECYCLE/TRASH BINS: Disposing a sharp in a recycle/trash bin is the last thing you should consider doing. If done so, the sharp can pose a serious risk of injury and health hazard to community workers and children.
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WEAR GLOVES: Since hands are at a greater risk of getting injured/infected while handling sharps, it is essential to wear gloves as personal protective equipment (PPE). Different types of gloves are available for various situations. Choose the one most appropriate for the circumstances and according to the extent of the dilemma. Think of all possible areas on the hand where the injury might occur and
cover it with gloves accordingly. Remember to wash your hands after using gloves and dispose the used gloves safely. •
USE TONGS TO PICK UP SHARPS: It is preferable to use tongs or pliers to pick up disposed sharps, so that your hand will be at a lesser risk of getting into contact.
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DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECAP SHARPS: Since the surface area of a sharp is very small, it is preferable one doesn’t attempt to recap the sharp or reach out to hold the sharp with bare fingers. In such a case, chances of a needle sting are high. Instead, pad or wrap the sharp with a cloth.
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DISPOSE PROPERLY: After the sharp is handled, place it in a plastic container which is puncture-resistant. Avoid using glass or aluminum containers. Place the sharp in the container with the sharpend first. Whilst doing this, keep the container on a table and do not hold it. Colour code the container to warn others of its contents. Do not overfill the container. Dispose the container at a community sharp disposal facility.
Bio-Cleanse offer comprehensive services in handling/clearing sharps and needles and properly disposing of them. Contact us now or visit http://www.bio-cleanse.com.au/services/sharps-and-needle-clean-up/ more information.
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