Hypodermics are among the most widely used medical instruments or apparatus, comprising a significant portion of the medical waste that’s generated at medical practices, health clinics and hospitals every day in the U.S. It’s no surprise, then, that so much regulatory attention has been directed toward safe needle disposal, and today, there are very specific guidelines doctors and other healthcare professionals need to follow to ensure their practices adhere to medical waste disposal regulations.  We will dive into some of the sharps container disposal regulations for safe needle disposal.

The Critical Importance of Safe Needle Disposal

Not only is improper disposal of sharps against the law, but when needles enter the general waste stream, they also pose a serious health threat to anyone who comes in contact with that stream, including janitorial and maintenance staff, sewage treatment workers and others. Studies show that despite federal and state regulations overseeing safe needle disposal, many men and women who work in healthcare facilities are injured each year from needle sticks resulting from improper sharps disposal.

In fact, the problem of improper sharps disposal has become so prevalent, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes improper disposal of sharps as a “significant cause of sharps injury in the workplace” and has established a campaign to raise awareness, improve compliance and reduce those injuries and the bloodborne diseases they may cause.

Proper Disposal of Sharps Containers

The regulations that govern how different types of medical waste are handled vary substantially depending of the type of waste, as well as the agency or business that’s handling the waste. For instance, sharps container disposal regulations are subject to an array of federal requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Postal Service. All three agencies require proper “packaging” of needles using sharps containers that adhere to these requirements in order for the practice or medical facility to remain compliant and avoid hefty fines and other sanctions.

  • OSHA requires facilities to use “work practice controls” to prevent injuries to healthcare workers and anyone else who comes in contact with waste, including janitorial and housekeeping staff. These regulations include the use of needle destruction devices like sharps containers that “automatically” break apart used syringes and safely store them in secure, puncture-resistant containers labeled with their contents.
  • The DOT has similar regulations that pertain to the transportation of waste. Specifically, sharps must be placed in a special container that’s resistant to leakage and punctures as well as strong enough to withstand the processes employed in normal transportation, such as lifting, loading and stacking.
  • USPS regulations go one step farther, requiring packages to meet DOT regulations as well as stringent labeling requirements and authorized packages to protect mail handlers and carriers, as well as recipients.

In addition to federal regulations, healthcare facilities must understand and be compliant with state guidelines, as well as any guidelines established by the facility itself. Having the right sharps containers in place throughout your facility is an important part of staying compliant, both at your site and during all phases of the disposal process.

How to Get a Sharps Container

Sharps containers are available online and at brick-and-mortar stores. However, not all containers are designed with compliance in mind. That means even though you may think you’re remaining compliant with current guidelines, your containers may fall short of federal and state regulations, leaving you at risk for serious penalties, not mention dangerous health exposures.

MedWaste is a leading provider of sharps containers designed to be compliant with all federal and state regulations for safe needle disposal. We can help you find the containers you need to avoid risks and enjoy optimal peace of mind. To learn more about safe disposal of sharps in hospitals, medical practices and clinics and how we can help you remain compliant with federal and NC sharps disposal regulations, contact MedWaste Services today at 833-633-7283 or use our online contact form for more information.