Where do contaminated sharps go?
Discard contaminated sharps immediately, or as soon as feasible, in a container that is closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded. That is 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A)(1). Sharps container rules covers placement, closure, and the ban on shearing needles.
Where does other regulated waste go?
Other regulated waste goes in a container that is closable, constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport, or shipping, labeled or color-coded, and closed before removal so contents cannot spill or protrude. That is 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(B)(1).
What if the outside of the container is contaminated?
If the outside of a regulated-waste container becomes contaminated, place it in a second container. The second container must also be closable, built to contain the contents and prevent leakage, labeled or color-coded, and closed before removal. See paragraph (d)(4)(iii)(B)(2).
What should staff not assume?
A red bag is not a sharps container. A sharps container is not a default destination for unused medicine. Keep those streams apart when you request service.
- Needles, scalpels, and other contaminated sharps
- Blood-contaminated items that are not sharps
- Unused or expired drugs
- Waste the provider has listed as excluded
What this page does not decide
OSHA sets the worker-protection container. Tennessee and the selected provider still decide what they will transport and treat. Use medical waste disposal options for the non-sharps stream and the sharps page for needles.
Official reference: OSHA: Bloodborne pathogens standard. Confirm requirements for your facility with your regulator and selected provider.