Sharps and Containers
Housekeeping workers in healthcare may be exposed to contaminated sharps and containers while performing tasks each day.
Housekeeping staff in non-healthcare industries, such as those working in the hotel/motel industry or food service, may also be exposed by accidental contact with contaminated needles, razor blades, knives, or other sharps on the job.
Healthcare employers should do the following to reduce the risk of exposure to sharps:
- implement work practice and engineering controls to help prevent exposure to sharps;
- dispose of contaminated sharps immediately or as soon as feasible into the appropriate containers that are closable, puncture resistant, leak-proof, and labeled with the biohazard symbol or color coded in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1030;
- replace sharps containers regularly and make sure they are not overfilled; and
- train housekeeping workers in the proper handling/disposal of sharps and containers
Non-healthcare employers who employ housekeeping workers who have the potential to contact needles or other sharps, should:
- develop specific housekeeping procedures to prevent accidental contact with sharps;
- train housekeeping workers on the tasks, such as cleaning restrooms, and guest rooms that might expose workers to sharps;
- establish reporting procedures if housekeeping workers find, are exposed to, or injured by sharps; and
- implement safe disposal procedures.
Real-Life Incident
During a training trip, I checked in to a motel room, and while checking the bathroom, I lifted the floor mat off of the bath tub and out flew an uncapped-needle and syringe.
Luckily, I was not stuck by the needle, but I was still horrified and outraged. I immediately went to the front desk and told them what I had found, how upset I was, and demanded a
new room. I also told them I worked for Oregon OSHA. They were happy to give me a new room. That's one incident I'll never forget.
- Steve Geigle
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