HIV/AIDS Precautions - Needles and Sharps and Handling Contaminated Materials

Consider all needles and sharps as being infected. The user of the sharp should plan for its safe use and disposal.

• Wear appropriate gloves when touching and or handling items that are visibly soiled with blood or bodily fluids. Gloves must be changed in between contact of individuals.
• If there is potential for splashing, masks and eye protection must be worn.
• Use puncture-resistant containers for disposal of sharps and needles.
• Containers should have a max fill line, be leak proof, and closable.
• Label containers with symbols or words – for example usage of the biohazard symbol or "CAUTION: WASTE SHARPS."
• Clean and sterilize reusable syringes before reusing.
• Place large bore reusable needles in puncture-proof containers.
• Use clamps to remove lancet and scalpel blades from holders, not your fingers.
• Do not recap, bend, break or remove needles by hand from disposable syringes or otherwise handle after use.

Please also see the OSH Answers document HIV/AIDS in the Workplace for more information.

• Disinfect or sterilize medical devices or apparatus according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Clean instruments thoroughly before disinfecting with a germicide or medical grade disinfectant.
• Incinerate or autoclave infectious waste before disposal.
• Most Canadian jurisdictions have guidelines or regulations for the management of biomedical waste. Confirm what the requirements are for your jurisdiction.

• Remove visible material from patient care areas and decontaminate.
• Remove blood or body fluids with absorbent paper towels. Dispose according to hospital policy.
• Clean area and use medical grade disinfectant.

• Place collected blood and body fluid specimens in sterile containers. Securely close lid.
• Clean the outside of the container with disinfectant if visibly contaminated.
• Place container in a clear impervious plastic bag.
• Label container "Blood and Body Fluid Precautions." Label requisition and attach to outside of bag.
• Do not transport in a vacuum/pneumatic system.

• Use disposable patient care articles whenever possible.
• Incinerate or dispose of disposable articles according to hospital policy.
• Place articles soiled with blood in impervious bag. Label "Blood and Body Fluid Precautions."
• Reprocess reusable items according to hospital policy.