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Safety Alert – Disposal of clinical waste sharps

7 January 2025

This Safety Alert concerns the correct disposal of clinical waste sharps. Improperly closed containers pose a significant risk of injury to waste handlers, cleaners and potentially other staff.

Yellow clinical waste bin

What is the issue?


Two recent incidents highlight a critical safety concern – improper closure of sharps containers.

  • A contractor sustained a needle-stick injury while collecting clinical waste due to an improperly closed sharps container.
  • Exposed sharps were found within an external clinical waste bin.

Furthermore, many sharps containers are not being signed, dated or given a lab location, making it difficult to identify the source of the issue to take corrective action.

Action to be taken


  • Secure closure: All sharps containers must be closed securely before being placed in the external yellow clinical waste bins. Ensure the lid is tightly closed and that no sharps can be accessed.
  • Complete labeling: All sharps container labels must be filled in completely and accurately.

Where can I get further information?


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