SHARPS WASTE DISPOSAL
Sharps is a term, in the medical industry, that describes objects with sharp edges or points that can easily cut or puncture the skin. Injuries from medical sharps waste pose a WHS risk to healthcare workers and patients – not to mention the financial implications for those hospitals and health centres for incorrect disposal.
Ace Waste deals in the handling and disposal of:
- Medical sharps
- Non-contaminated Sharps
- Biohazardous Contaminated sharps
- Chemically Contaminated sharps
Having a professional sharps waste disposal management plan is essential for any organisation that deals with sharps. Our sharps waste management it as is a trusted waste disposal solution, having been used by QLD Health to assist in their vaccination efforts.
Our Brisbane and Melbourne waste facilities use high-temperature incinerator that will completely destroy sharp waste. Read below for more information on how Ace Waste can help you with Sharps Waste disposal.
When dealing with sharps waste, and sharps waste disposal, there are strict processes and procedures that must be followed. These are in line with Australian Standards in order to preserve the health and safety of all involved.
The Ace Waste Protect+ sharps waste collection of containers have been clinically designed to reduce sharps injuries, especially for healthcare organisations. This is why Ace Waste’s sharps waste containers have been chosen to assist QLD health in their vaccination efforts.
Ace Sharps has a huge range of clinical sharps containers, All of our sharps containers are designed to minimise sharps risks. Read more about our safe medical sharps disposal services.
Sharps waste (overview)
Sharps waste comprises used “sharps” materials, including any device or object used to puncture or lacerate the skin. Therefore, this type of waste resides in the category of biomedical waste and demands careful handling.
Common materials and equipment deemed and treated as sharps waste include
- Disposable scalpels
- Disposal blades
- Hypodermic needles
- Contaminated glass
- Wires
- Certain types of plastic.
Non-contaminated Sharps
Non-contaminated sharps are sharps free of; biohazardous, chemical or radioactive contamination. They are also known to be without any residue of these materials, having never been kept in proximity to any biohazardous, chemical or radioactive elements.
This categorisation of sharps might relate to unused “sharps” waste and items with sharp edges/items. They are made up of materials that can easily puncture or lacerate skin but are not typically manufactured for this primary purpose, e.g. glass shards, scissors, sharp plastic materials etc.
Biohazardous Contaminated sharps
These are sharps that have come into contact with biohazardous materials, no matter how small the trace amount. The sharps may have been used by healthcare professionals/providers, medical research facilities, veterinarians and other organisations and in other applications.
They typically include:
- Needles
- Scalpels
- Surgical blades
- Other surgical and healthcare sharps waste, instruments and apparatuses.
Chemically Contaminated sharps
Chemically contaminated sharps are those which contain or have come into contact with hazardous chemicals (but not those contaminants which are also radioactive). To be “sharps” they will be capable of cutting/piercing or otherwise puncturing/lacerating.
Most commonly these are:
- Razor blades
- Scalpels
- Microscope slides
Ace Waste provides the leading solutions for your Sharps waste disposal needs
Learn more about our process and points of difference.
Industries we work with for Sharps Waste Disposal
Hospitals
Doctor and GP Practices
Dental Practices
Other medical service providers
Research Institutes
Laboratories
Veterinary Clinic
Tattoo Parlours
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