XI(c). Waste - Sharps


rev 1/2003

A. Background

Sharps that are defined as medical and biological waste by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations 105 CMR 480.00 (“discarded medical articles that may cause puncture or cuts, including but not limited to all used and discarded hypodermic needles and syringes, Pasteur pipettes, broken medical glassware, scalpel blades, disposable razors, and suture needles”) are collected and disposed of by offsite incineration as described in Chapter XI(b).

In addition to sharps regulated by the DPH, laboratories generate other sharp waste such as needles (e.g., used for equipment injection or animal research), broken glass, razors and blades, and pipettes.

B. Waste Storage And Disposal

All needles are placed in plastic needle boxes specifically designed for this purpose after use. When full, the needle boxes are closed securely and taken to the biological waste refrigerator in the basement of Clapp. These needle boxes are then disposed of as biological waste.

Other sharps, such as broken glass and blades, are put in corrugated, plastic lined cardboard broken glass disposal boxes. When full, the box is closed and disposed of as trash by the building custodian.