Does your school need a Sharps Pick Up Kit? If so, reach out to healthy.schools@healthunit.ca or call 705-474-1400 x5231
Posters and Postcards
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Sharps Dos and Don'ts
What To Do If You Find a Needle
Safe Sharps Pick-up and Disposal
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Introduction to Sharps in the Community
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What is a sharp?
A sharp is any object that has the ability to puncture or cut someone or something. Examples of sharps include: hypodermic needles, syringes, lancets, intra-venous lines, scalpel blades, broken glass, sharp edge materials, knives, razor blades, and any other item(s) that may cut or puncture the skin, which may have also been contaminated by blood or bodily fluids.
Where in the community are sharps found?
Sharps should always be disposed of in a biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container (e.g., pop bottle, laundry container with a lid) and then dropped off at an appropriate disposal site (see section on ‘Sharps Disposal’ below). That being said, sharps are sometimes discarded in the community and may be found anywhere such as parks, beaches, alleyways, sidewalks, garbage cans, recycling bins, public washrooms, and residences. Discarded sharps is a long-standing community-wide issue.
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Sharps Handling and Pick-Up
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What do I include in a safer sharps pick-up and disposal kit?
It is recommended that a safer sharps pick-up and disposal kit contain the following items:
- Puncture-proof or disposable gloves
- Tongs, forceps or tweezers
- Biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container with a lid (e.g., pop bottle, laundry jug)
- Disinfectant wipes
- Information outlining precautions and how to pick up a sharp safely
Putting together a safe sharps pick-up and disposal kit is inexpensive and easy to do.
How do I pick up and dispose of a sharp safely?
1. Gather and prepare equipment.
Gather a hard-sided puncture-proof container (e.g., biohazard container, pop bottle), puncture-proof or disposable gloves, and tongs. Place the container on flat, stable surface.
2. Pick up the sharp.
Put on puncture-proof or disposable gloves. Pick up sharps one at a time using tongs. If you do not have tongs, and are comfortable, pick up the sharp by its shaft/barrel (if it’s a needle). Place sharp into the container with the sharp end pointing down.
Note:
- Do not hold the container in your hand.
- Do not recap needles.
- Do not insert fingers into the opening of the biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container.
- Do not try to pick up more than one at a time.
- Keep your free hand out of the way when picking up a sharp.
3. Dispose of the sharp.
Secure the lid of the biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container. Place the container in a community sharps bin or bring it to a local needle exchange service or pharmacy.
4. Wash hands and clean equipment.
Remove and dispose of gloves into the garbage. If puncture-proof gloves or tongs were used, wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe and allow to air dry. Wash your hands with soap and water.
What other types of precautions should I take when handling sharps?
Additional, universal precautions and safety tips for handling sharps include:
- Always assume that blood and body fluids are infectious.
- Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
- Do not bend or recap used needles.
- Never reach into a biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container.
- Dispose of biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof containers when the content reaches the full line.
- Cover cuts, rashes or broken skin.
- Wear gloves when handling possibly contaminated blood or bodily fluids.
- Do not eat or drink in a work area.
- Report minor malfunctions of sharps.
How should unopened needles found in public places be handled? What if unopened sharps are mixed with used drug equipment and needles? What do I do?
For the protection of anyone who is picking up used needles, it is not recommended to sort through to pick out what is used and what is not. Since it may be difficult to determine which packages are opened, ripped or empty, it is suggested that opened and unopened sharps, such as needles, be placed in a biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container to reduce risk of accidental injury.
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Sharps Disposal
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Where can I dispose of sharps safely in the community?
Sharps should be placed in a biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof container, where possible, prior to disposal. Sharps and biohazard or hard-sided puncture-proof containers can be discarded at a number of places across the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts. These include:
- Needle syringe programs
- Most local pharmacies
- Hazardous Waste Depots
- Community sharps bin
- Biohazardous waste receptacles located in business or agency washrooms
For details on where to dispose of sharps in your area please email: harm.reduction@healthunit.ca
Where should sharps not be disposed?
Sharps should not be disposed of in garbage or recycling bins. They should not be flushed down the toilet and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
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Reporting Sharps
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Who can I call if a sharp or needle is found on public property?
If you find a needle on public property and are not comfortable picking it up, please call your local public works department.
Who can I call if a sharp or needle is found on private property?
There is currently no phone number to call if a sharp or needle is found on private property. It is the responsibility of private property owners (or landlords) to discard sharps found on private property.
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Biohazard Puncture-proof Containers
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My workplace or organization wants to purchase biohazard puncture-proof containers. Where do I order these from and how much do they cost?
Biohazard puncture-proof containers come in a wide range of sizes, styles and forms. Containers are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from a number of distributers. For more information on where to purchase or pick-up biohazard puncture-proof containers please contact harm.reduction@healthunit.ca.
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Needle Stick Injuries
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What types of risk are associated with discarded sharps in the community?
Contaminated needles or sharps can inject infectious fluid through the skin and into the body. This can happen when sharps are improperly handled or picked-up by community members including children, health care workers, and anyone else. When sharps are handled in a safe manner, the risk of a needle stick injury is low. Needle stick injuries can also occur when individuals do not know that a sharp is present - this could include municipal workers who are not aware of sharps in garbage or recycling or children who do not see sharps buried in the dirt at a playground. Safe sharps disposal is important in trying to reduce accidental injury.
If a needle stick injury does occur, individuals could contract:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Other viruses
For detailed information on blood borne or injury-related infections, please refer to the following fact sheets and/or information:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Tetanus
What factors influence disease transmission from a needle stick injury?
The risk of infection from a needle stick injury after exposure varies by pathogen as well as other factors. These include:
- Depth of needle penetration
- Amount of blood or bodily fluid in the needle
- Virus and lifespan of the virus
- When needle was used (including how long it has been in the environment)
- Health status of person who used the needle
- Immune status of individual who has received injury
The risk of infection from a needle stick injury also varies by pathogen (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B) and the lifespan of the pathogen. The risk of infection from a needle stick injury for common viruses, follows. Some of these agents can live on surfaces or objects for extended periods of time so it is important to use universal precautions.
How do you address a needle stick injury?
Needle stick injuries are rare but when they do occur it is important to seek medical attention. First, determine if your agency has a workplace policy around this. If it does, follow all recommendations and information outlined in the policy for addressing needle stick injuries. If your workplace does not have a policy for needle stick injuries, the following is recommended:
- Allow the wound to bleed freely.
- Wash the injured area with soap and water.
- Report the incident to a supervisor.
- Determine the significance of exposure.
- If there is a significant risk exposure then seek medical attention immediately (e.g. Emergency Department).
- If there is a low risk exposure (or if exposure occurred more than 72 hours ago), consult with a primary health care provider (e.g., walk-in clinic, family physician), preferably within one week of exposure.
- If there is no risk of exposure, medical follow-up is not required.
- Work with health professionals to determine if post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or testing (i.e., HIV, hepatitis C) is recommended.
- Document the incident.
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