Last Updated on October 15, 2022
Each year, on average 8 million people in the United States use about 3 billion needles and syringes to manage their medical conditions according to the Environmental Protection Agency. So where are all the needles going?
What exactly is a sharp?
A sharp is the generic name given to a needle, syringe or lancet. But because these sharps have the potential to carry diseases from blood and bodily fluids, they must always be considered as infectious and be properly disposed of to minimize contact with others.
Why is proper sharps disposal so important?
A needle stick injury from a used sharp can happen anywhere, even while at work or in a public facility. Thousands of people with medical conditions use needles outside of a medical setting on a daily basis. Without proper disposal methods and compliance protocols in place, those needles could end up in the trash making these especially hazardous to maintenance workers and other unsuspecting individuals.
Reduce the Risk
OSHA mandates that all sharps be disposed of in compliant sharps containers to prevent accidents with hazardous materials. Providing employees and customers with a safe environment for needle disposal will help to eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Providing employees and customers with a safe environment for disposal will help to reduce exposure for everyone.
Remember!
Always have a trained professional remove your used sharps as a Sharps Collection and Disposal Service reduces the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens!
