Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2000 09:20:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: Lisa Morine <>
To: admin coord eng --
Subject: disposal of sharps and needles
Disposal of Sharps and Needles
Proper disposal of sharps and syringes are essential for a safe laboratory.
Sharps and syringes must be disposed of using a rigid plastic container or glass bottle. The container must be sealed for disposal using by a screw cap. The rigid plastic container is suitable ONLY if a needle cannot puncture through it. Another option is a red and yellow container specific for sharps which is available in the ABB and HSC stores for about $3.00. There will also be a larger size container available through stores shortly. The containers need to be clearly identified as SHARPS and not allowed to overflow the top.
Sharps are NOT to be recapped after use for your own protection.
The containers should be brought down to the ABB Receiving dock during Hazardous Waste hours on Tuesdays.
Containers considered unsuitable are:
1) those that have other labels on them that can create any type of confusion as to the contents.
2) any unlabelled containers
3) cardboard boxes.
4) Broken glass containers-they will not be removed from the lab if contaminants such as paper towels and syringes are present
5) Regular garbage pails-syringes cannot be disposed of in this manner.
6) any unsealed container or container without a lid
Please note radioactive needles and syringes must be disposed of in an approved container. Please contact Health Physics at ext. 24226 for information and locations to obtain containers for this purpose.
If you have any further questions please contact me at ext. 23314.
Thanks
Lisa
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Lisa Morine
McMaster University (905)525-9140 ext 23314
Risk Management Services
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Safety Officer Fax:(905)540-9085
GH-B111
Email: