PI-WIKI-BIO-27 · Biosecurity · reviewed 2026-10-31
Biosecurity, Sharps Handling and Medical Waste Streams
Critical numbers
Sharps container fill limit75% (three-quarters) maximum, replace before overfilling
Needlestick HBV risk (unvaccinated)6-30%
Needlestick HCV risk1.8%
Needlestick HIV risk0.3%; PEP as soon as possible, no later than 72 hours
Storage before collectionMaximum set by state or national rules; varies widely
Collection scheduleAgree it with the licensed carrier, inside the legal maximum
Waste manifest retentionMinimum 3 years; permanent recommended
Autoclave biological indicator frequencyAt least weekly; Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores; no growth = steriliser passed
Bleach solution for spills1:10 dilution of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite; prepared fresh daily
OSHA standard29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
EU Directive2010/32/EU, prevention from sharp injuries in healthcare; bans recapping
Container standardEN ISO 23907-1 (EU) or OSHA-compliant (US): puncture-resistant, leak-proof, biohazard-labelled
Do not
- Overfilling sharps containers beyond 75%
- Recapping used needles
- Placing blood-soaked gauze in general waste
- Using non-compliant containers
- Failing to maintain waste manifests
- Storing full sharps containers in client-accessible areas
Applicable standards
- EU / UK — EU Directive 2010/32/EU
- United States — OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030
- ASEAN / AP — WHO: Safe management of wastes from health-care activities (Blue Book, 2nd ed,…