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Hospital Circular 19/2006

Date Issued:  11 October 2006
Publication:  19/2006
Distribution: Public Hospitals, Community Health Centres, General Practitioners

Subject: Sharps Containers – Safety for Children

Purpose: A caution for Victorian General Practitioners, Community Health Centres and Hospital Infection Control teams

It is requested that the practices and placement of sharps containers be reviewed in your facility, particularly to ensure child safety. The following guidelines are provided for your information:

The safe management of clinical and related waste is essential for occupational, community and environmental health. Health services are legally and ethically responsible for the production, handling and disposal of clinical and related waste.

Information for health providers:

• Sharps containers should be placed a minimum of 1 metre above floor level, out of the reach of children.
• Sharps containers should never be freestanding on the floor.
• Sharps containers should be wall-mounted or in a stand to prevent toppling.
• Tray-less sharps containers are to be mounted ONLY in areas secure from the public.
• The mouth of the sharps container should be such that the ability to remove any contents from the container is minimised.
• The waste generator is legally responsible for all aspects of the management of clinical and related wastes.

For further detailed information:

• Code of Practice for the Management of Clinical and Related Wastes 4th Edition 2004
• AS/NZS 3816:1998 Management of clinical and related wastes
• HB 202-2000 Management of Clinical and related wastes – Guide to the application of AS/NZS 3816:1998 Management of Clinical and related wastes
• AS/NZS 4261:1994 Reusable containers for the collection of sharp items used in human and animal medical applications
• AS 4031-1992 Non-reusable sharps containers for the collection of sharp medical items used in health care areas
• AS 4939-2001 Non-reusable personal use containers for the collection and disposal of hypodermic needles and syringes

ALISON J McMILLAN
Director, Quality and Safety Branch