Policies and Procedures on Proper Handling and Safe Disposal of Sharps/Needle Sticks

1.      Sharps/needle sticks should be stored in a puncture-proof containers and fitted with covers.

2.      Containers should be rigid and impermeable to retain or contain residual liquids from syringes.

3.      Needles should not be removed from the syringes because of the risk of injury, however if removal is required, special care should be taken.

4.      The sealed sharps/needle stick container must be properly labeled.

5.      Satisfactory treatment prior to disposal of sharps/needle wastes is necessary to maximize safety and protection of environment.

6.      Use incinerators for disposing used needles or sharps.

7.      In case there’s no available incinerator, bury the used sharps and needles as deep as possible.

      8.   The burial site should be lined with a material of low permeability such as clay to
             prevent ground waste contamination.