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Occupational Health and Safety Information Sheet - Syringes, Needles and Syringe Barrels - Use and Disposal

Information Sheet No. 17

Monash University is committed to providing employees and students with a healthy and safe environment for work and study. This information sheet provides advice to Monash University staff and students required to use syringes and needles.

The Hazard And The Risk

The hazard and the risk Needles and syringes are designed to be sharp, pierce the skin easily and allow fluids to pass through from one end to the other. While the design is perfect for their use in injections and blood collection, they are also efficiently designed to be a hazard to people working in the areas where needles and syringes are used. Needlestick injuries are a risk to a range of people working within Monash University, as they are the most common means of transmission of infections in the workplace.

Syringe barrels (syringes without needles) are used in a variety of situations. While the syringe barrel may not have contained any blood or bodily fluids, those disposing of the used syringe barrel must take into account the risks to and perceptions of staff who handle rubbish. There are also environmental responsibilities as once the barrel has entered the solid waste stream there is no easy way of identifying the degree of hazard that its contents presents.

Before You Commence A Task Requiring The Use Of A Syringe Ensure That:

  • you have a sharps container next to you enabling you to dispose of the connected syringe and needle immediately after use
  • sharps containers have room available for the needles and syringes you will be generating
  • you have all the equipment and items that you will need to undertake the task safely and efficiently and without leaving your work area

If you do not have your equipment and the means of safe disposal of needles, syringes and syringe barrels properly and safely in place, then you should NOT undertake that task.

Correct Disposal of Syringes

  • Place the needle and syringe (still connected) into the sharps container
  • Do NOT try to recap the needle
  • Do NOT try to separate the needle and syringe before disposal
  • Where syringe barrels are used without needles, place the used syringe, no matter what its contents, into a sharps container.

Finding Syringes And Needles While You Are Working

If, as part of your work, you find a needle or syringe left lying around, then:

  • Do NOT pick it up until you have leather gloves and a sharps container for safe transport
  • Do NOT try to recap the needle
  • Do NOT carry it from the area
  • Do NOT take any action until you have informed your supervisor

Obtain leather gloves and a sharps container into which the needle and syringe can be carefully and safely placed and sealed. Inform your supervisor and request that he/she arranges correct disposal of the sharps container.

If You Have A Needlestick Injury

  • Immediately wash the exposure area and follow first aid procedures.
  • Report the incident to your supervisor and biosafety officer ASAP and ensure that Occupational Health and Safety are notified without delay (Ext 51014).
  • See a doctor that day, or first thing the following day.
  • If the needle and syringe contained human or animal blood or bodily fluids, discuss with the doctor the arrangements for blood tests and a follow-up plan If there is blood still in the syringe, and/or if the owner of the blood is known, advise your supervisor, biosafety officer, Occupational Health and Safety and your doctor
  • Complete a Monash University Hazard and Incident Report Form as soon as you are able.

Assess Your Workplace

If your job involves using needles and syringes, then you should assess your workplace and the task you are required to do:

  • Are there sharps containers in the work area?
  • Is there a system for collecting sharps containers before they become full?
  • Are staff and students trained in the correct handling and disposal of needles and syringes?
  • Are training records maintained?

If the answer to any of the questions above is no, then you should not handle needles or syringes until corrective action is taken.

Supervisors Should Periodically Check That:

  • Staff and students consistently use the correct procedures for handling and disposal of needles, syringes and syringe barrels
  • Sharps containers are not overfilled
  • Full sharps containers are sent for disposal without delay via EPA licensed waste disposal contractors

For further information and confidential medical advice - contact the Occupational Health Nurse:

Advice on waste disposal - contact Occupational Health and Safety

  • Telephone: (03) 9905-1018

June 2000