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How to Manage Sharps

Last Updated: November 10, 2022 11:19:05 AM PST
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Learn how to properly manage sharps.

Definition

Sharps are devices or objects with corners, edges, or projections capable of cutting or piercing skin or regular waste bags. State and local laws regulate the disposal of sharps to protect waste handlers from both physical and contamination hazards.

Examples of sharps include:

  • Hypodermic needles, syringes, tubing
  • Blunted needles
  • Blades (scalpels, razors, microtomes)

Plastic and glass containers that may pierce a bag should be in an appropriate rigid container. Review the Empty Research Container Management page for disposal guidelines for those items.

General Transport, Storage and Use Guidelines 

Use, store, transport and dispose of sharps in a manner to reduce potential exposures:

  • Do not recap needles 
  • Keep sharps pointed away from yourself and other lab workers
  • Avoid leaving exposed sharps unattended
  • Immediately dispose of sharps after use
  • Store sharps in a safe way (see examples below)
    • Secure sharps with a magnet
    • Store razor blades in a petri dish
    • Put needles into cork 
    • Avoid placing sharps on the bench
  • Do not attempt to bend, shear or otherwise tamper with a sharp
  • Transport sharps in a lidded, rigid, puncture-proof, labeled container
  • Store a sharps waste container near where the sharps are generated
  • Sharps cannot extend above the "fill" line of the sharps container
  • Non-sharps items should not be disposed of in a biohazard sharps container. Gloves, kimwipes, wrappers, and other lab debris should not be disposed of within sharps containers. 

Disposal

Separating sharps by type of contamination is required by law.

For disposal purposes, there are 5 kinds of sharps:

  • Non-contaminated (except needles, syringes and lancets)
  • Biohazardous (includes needles, syringes, and lancets in contact with biohazards)
  • Chemically contaminated
  • Radioactive
  • Laboratory glassware 

Whether contaminated or not, specific packaging and container restrictions apply. Follow specific disposal procedures below in each section.

Improper Disposal?

If the lab finds improperly disposed sharps, the following actions can be taken to secure and dispose of the sharp:

  • If found in a waste receptacle, like a trash can, broken glass box, etc.:
    • Secure the improper container and remove from use
    • Don personal protective equipment: safety glasses, lab coat, gloves
    • If possible, place improper container or waste bag within a sharps container, secure lid, and dispose of following the appropriate waste process
    • Remove personal protective equipment and wash hands
  • If found in an open area, like on the ground, counter, etc.:
    • Secure the area
    • Don personal protective equipment: safety glasses, lab coat, gloves
    • Make a waste determination for the hazard associated with the sharp and select the applicable sharps container
    • Bring sharps container to location
    • Collect sharps using mechanical device like tongs or broom and dustpan
    • Place in appropriate sharps container
    • Remove personal protective equipment and wash hands

If the sharps cannot be disposed right away or hazard associated with the sharp is unknown, secure and cordon off the container (to prevent continued use/handling). Contact ehsrap@ucsd.edu for hazard evaluation and waste disposal determination/process.

Educate personnel on proper sharps disposal. Report this as a near miss if source of improper disposal is unknown.

Non-contaminated

These sharps must be free of any biohazard, chemical, or radioactive contamination.

  • Container

    • Choose a rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant sharps container. Containers sold on procurement fit most needs.
    • Remove or deface any labels or biohazard symbols that may be on the container. 
    • Label with an OTP label indicating Non-Hazardous sharps.
    •  

  • Store/Use

    • Store the container near where the sharps are generated.
    • Carefully place sharps in the container in an orderly fashion.
    • Do not place free liquids, such as full syringes, in sharps containers.
    • Sharps cannot extend above the "fill" line.

  • Disposal

    • Seal the full container with tape so it can't be easily opened.
    • Request pickup through the Online Tag Program

Note: Custodial staff will not collect boxes of broken glass weighing more than 50 pounds.

Biohazardous contaminated

Biohazardous contaminated sharps are sharps that have come into contact with infectious agents, transgenic animals, zoonotic agents, environmental pathogens, human and non-human primate cells, tissues, organs, and recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids.

  • Review the Biohazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines for Sharps

  • Container

    • Select a rigid (puncture-resistant ), leak-resistant and tight-fitting container. Sharps containers available on procurement fit most needs.
    • The words "Biohazard Waste"; or International biohazard symbol and the word "Biohazard"

Sharps box with biohazard symbol

  • Labeling

    • Label the sharps container with the international biohazard symbol and UC San Diego identification information:

  • Store/Use

    • Store a sharps waste container near where the sharps are generated.
    • Do not place free liquids in sharps containers.
    • Do not discard chemical or radioactive materials in a biohazard sharps container.
    • Non-sharps items should not be disposed of in a biohazard sharps container. Gloves, kimwipes, wrappers, and other lab debris should not be disposed of within sharps containers. 
    • Sharps connected to other equipment can be disposed of in sharps containers. For example, a needle connected to syringes or tubing.
    • Sharps cannot extend above the "fill" line.
    • Full sharps containers must be placed in the biohazard waste collection site within 7 days from closure for final disposal.

  • Disposal

    • Close and secure the lid. Tape seal the lid if additional securing is necessary.
    • Place the full sharps container in your department's designated biohazardous waste collection area to be hauled for destruction. Ask your lab manager for instructions on the location and how to access the biohazard waste collection area closest to your laboratory.

Read Biohazardous and Medical Waste Overview for more information about biohazardous waste disposal. See Biohazardous Containers and Bags for more details. 

Find approved biohazard bags, sharps containers, plastic pasteur pipets and needles for your lab. The Research Safety Buyer's Guide is updated with products that meet ASTM and other regulatory standards.

Chemically contaminated

These sharps have chemical contamination only — no radioactive or infectious contaminants.

  • Container

    • Select a rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant container. Containers sold on procurement fit most needs.

  • Labeling

    • Label the container with a hazardous waste tag.
    • Select Chemical Waste Option with Chemical Sharps as the constituents.
    • Remove or deface any other labels or biohazard symbols on the container.

  • Store/Use

    • Store the container near where the waste is generated.
    • Carefully place sharps in the container in an orderly fashion.
    • Do not place liquids, such as full syringes, in sharps containers.
    • Sharps cannot extend above the "fill" line.

  • Disposal

Radioactive

These are sharps contaminated with radioactive materials. They may also be contaminated with chemical or infectious materials, but must be handled first as radioactive waste.

  • Container

    • Select a rigid, leak-proof, puncture-resistant container. Containers available from procurement fit most needs.

  • Labeling

    • Remove or deface biohazard symbols that may be on the container.
    • Label the container with a hazardous waste tag. List all of the following information:
      • Isotope used
      • Any additional chemicals or biological hazards
      • Method of deactivation or disinfection used, if any
      • Mark the waste type as "other" and write SHARPS on the tag

  • Store/Use

    • Store the container near where the waste is generated.
    • Deactivate any infectious agents.
      Caution: Some isotopes may react with certain deactivation chemicals. For example, you don't want to bleach isotopes of iodine.
      • Contact the Chemical Safety Team for assistance with deactivation.
      • See Summary of Disinfectants (PDF) (Excel) for recommended disinfectants, their uses, and requirements.
    • Do not place free liquids, such as full syringes, in sharps containers.
    • Sharps cannot extend above the "fill" line.

  • Disposal

    • When the container's full, seal it and move it to the lab's designated radioactive waste storage area.
    • Request a hazardous waste collection from EH&S.

Laboratory glassware

Laboratory glassware can easily cause injuries. Ensure that others aren't injured by improperly disposed of broken glass. See Empty Container Management page for detailed information when handling and glassware.

Training

Get trained before using sharp devices. Improper use and poor technique can increase your risk of a sharps exposure or other injuries. Receive proper training from senior personnel on techniques and equipment specific to your lab setting before conducting a procedure involving biological or other hazardous materials.

Contact an EH&S RAP member if you need more assistance.  

Questions? Contact the EH&S Environmental Management Facility, (858) 534-2753.
Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.