Standard Operating Procedure for Safe Disposal of Sharps and Needles

1) Purpose

The purpose of this SOP is to outline safe handling, segregation, storage, and disposal procedures for sharps and needles to minimize the risk of injuries, infections, and ensure compliance with biomedical waste management regulations.

2) Scope

This SOP applies to all personnel handling sharps and needles in healthcare facilities, laboratories, manufacturing units, and any area where sharps are generated, used, and disposed of.

3) Responsibilities

• Supervisors: Ensure proper implementation of this SOP and provide adequate training to personnel.
• Healthcare and Laboratory Staff: Safely handle, segregate, and deposit sharps and needles into designated containers.
• Waste Management Personnel: Oversee the collection, transportation, and disposal of sharps waste.
• Safety Officers: Monitor adherence to the SOP and report any non-compliance or incidents involving sharps injuries.

4) Procedure

4.1 Definition of Sharps Waste

Sharps waste includes any objects that can puncture, cut, or lacerate skin and pose a risk of infection. Examples include:

• Needles, syringes with needles
• Scalpels, blades, and lancets
• Broken glass or ampoules
• Sharpened metal objects
• Contaminated sharps (e.g., blood-stained needles)

4.2 Sharps Waste Handling

1. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
   • Always wear gloves, masks, and protective gowns when handling sharps.
   • Use puncture-resistant gloves for additional protection when necessary.

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2. Safe Handling Practices:
   • Do not recap, bend, or break needles after use.
   • Dispose of used sharps immediately into designated sharps containers.
   • Ensure sharp tips are pointed downward while disposing of them.

4.3 Segregation and Collection of Sharps Waste

1. Segregation at Source:
   • Use dedicated, color-coded, puncture-proof containers for sharps waste:
     • Yellow/Red Containers: Biohazard sharps waste (needles, blades, broken glass).
     • Label: Containers must display the biohazard symbol and “SHARPS WASTE.”
   • Ensure containers are leak-proof, puncture-proof, and have secure lids.

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2. Collection Guidelines:
   • Place sharps containers near the point of generation (e.g., patient rooms, laboratory workstations).
   • Replace sharps containers when they are 3/4 full to prevent overfilling.
   • Seal containers tightly before transferring them to storage or disposal areas.

4.4 Storage of Sharps Waste

1. Temporary Storage Requirements:
   • Store sealed sharps containers in a designated biohazard waste storage area.
   • Ensure the area is secure, labeled, and inaccessible to unauthorized personnel.
   • Maintain room temperature below 25°C to prevent microbial growth.

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2. Labeling of Containers:
   • Clearly label all containers with:
     • “BIOHAZARD SHARPS WASTE”
     • Date of collection
     • Point of generation (e.g., Ward 2, Lab 1)

4.5 Transportation and Disposal of Sharps Waste

1. Internal Transport:
   • Use wheeled trolleys or carts for transporting sealed sharps containers to waste storage areas.
   • Ensure trolleys are disinfected after each use to avoid contamination.

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2. External Transport:
   • Partner with authorized biomedical waste disposal vendors for collection and final disposal.
   • Ensure waste manifests and disposal certificates are obtained for compliance records.
3. Disposal Methods:
   • Dispose of sharps waste using the following approved methods:
     • High-temperature incineration for complete destruction.
     • Autoclaving followed by shredding for sterilized sharps waste.

4.6 Post-Incident Management

1. Sharps Injury Protocol:
   • In case of accidental sharps injuries:
     1. Immediately wash the affected area with soap and water.
     2. Report the incident to the supervisor and Safety Officer.
     3. Record details in the Sharps Injury Log (Annexure 1).
     4. Seek medical attention and initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if necessary.

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2. Decontamination of Work Area:
   • Clean and disinfect surfaces or areas contaminated by sharps.
   • Dispose of contaminated cleaning materials as biohazard waste.

4.7 Record-Keeping and Reporting

1. Maintain records of sharps waste collection, storage, and disposal, including:
   • Quantity of sharps waste
   • Date of collection and disposal
   • Vendor details

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2. Use the Sharps Waste Log (Annexure 2) to document all waste management activities.
3. Report compliance status to regulatory authorities as required.

5) Abbreviations, if any

• PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
• PEP: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

6) Documents, if any

• Sharps Injury Log
• Sharps Waste Log
• Disposal Certificates

7) Reference, if any

• Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016
• WHO Guidelines for Safe Disposal of Sharps
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standards (29 CFR 1910.1030)

8) SOP Version

Version: 1.0

Annexure

Template 1: Sharps Injury Log

Date	Employee Name	Location	Incident Description	Actions Taken	Reported By
DD/MM/YYYY	John Doe	Lab 1	Needle prick while disposing sharps	Washed wound, PEP started	Jane Smith

Template 2: Sharps Waste Log

Date	Sharps Type	Quantity	Collected By	Disposal Method	Vendor Name
DD/MM/YYYY	Needles	5 kg	John Doe	Incineration	XYZ Disposal