Removing Rubbish: Tips, Ideas and Strategies

Sharps Collection Techniques That Will Keep You Safe

19 September 2017 by Gwendolyn Washington

It is quite scary to come across sharp instruments such as razors and needles scattering around. The very first thing one thinks about is the accident which may be caused by such sharp materials. All this calls for a sharps collection system. The proper disposal and safe management of sharps waste are quite important in the society as this reduces the risks associated with coming into contact with such items. For instance, a scalpel might cause a cut and even worse, the transmission of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The safe disposal of such materials also ensures that one complies with the regulations of hazardous wastes. The disposal and collection of sharps are always determined by the medicinal contamination associated. This also dictates the colour of the sharps collector as each is individually crafted for its very own waste. Some of the items classified as sharps include; syringes, scalpels, test tubes as well as glass, either broken or intact. The container used to collect sharps is referred to as a sharps bin. Sharps bins are essential in the disposal and safe storage of every sharps waste category. The sharps bins are always colour coded according to the UN approvals which ensure that the waste is sorted for proper disposal. The sharps bins are also puncture and impact resistant. They are also seepage proof which guarantees absolute protection to the users. The colour coordination of sharps bin lids includes orange, yellow, purple, as well as blue. 

1. Orange Sharps Bins –The orange-lidded sharps bin is used for the storage as well as the disposal of sharps which are not contaminated with medicines. Such is only used for acupuncture as well as blood samples. 
2. Yellow Sharps Bins – The yellow-lidded sharps bins are used to store as well as dispose of any sharps which either contain or are contaminated by either anaesthetic or medicines from the hospital.
3. Purple Sharps Bins – The purple-lidded sharps bins are specially designated for the disposal of sharps which contain contents of either Cytostatic or Cytotoxic contamination. They are also used for the disposal of medicines which are comprised of the two compounds as well.
4. Blue Sharps Bins – The blue-lidded sharps bins are intended for a bevvy of uses. For instance, the disposal of expired drugs. They are also employed for the disposal of used drug denaturing kits as well as items which are discarded from the use of handling pharmaceuticals. Such discarded items include masks, bottles, connecting tubes, boxes containing residue drug vials as well as the bodies of syringes.