Engineering Controls
Engineering controls focus on eliminating or reducing the actual source of the hazard.
Safer Medical Devices
The basic concept behind engineering controls is that the work environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate or minimize risks. Engineering controls are measures that isolate or remove the workplace's hazard.
Examples of engineering controls include:
- sharps disposal containers
- self-sheathing needles
- safer medical devices, such as sharps injury protections and needleless systems
Sharps Disposal Container
A sharps disposal container is considered an engineering control for sharps injury prevention. These come in various sizes, shapes, and options and should be selected based on the need in each area. Location is key to success, and research shows the closer the container is to the point of use, the lower risk for sharps injuries. Although these containers effectively prevent sharps penetration through the sidewall, overfilling them can provide injury opportunities and, therefore, should be avoided.
Self-sheathing Needles
These safer needle devices allow a sleeve to slide forward over the needle, locking the guard in place and providing a mechanical barrier around the used needle.
Safer Medical Devices
There are many types of safer medical devices. Some examples of these safety devices include:
- Needleless connector systems
- Retractable needles and sharps
- Self-blunting needles
- Hinged or sliding shields
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-7. A sharps disposal container used by healthcare employees is an example of _____.
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