Sharps and Glass Management

                    Sharp Item Safety

The greatest risks when using needles, syringes, glassware, and other sharps are accidental injection, lacerations, and the creation of aerosols. Safer needles and syringes should be explored when there are no other alternatives to using needles.

To prevent lacerations, keep the razor blades in a petri dish or an enclosed container. Inspect your glassware for cracks and chips that could cause breakage.

Sharps should never be bent, sheared, or recapped; needles should not be removed from syringes after use.

If a contaminated needle must be recapped or removed from the syringe, a mechanical device, such as a forceps, must be used.

Inspect your glassware for cracks and chips that could cut your skin. To prevent injury, a mechanical device should be used when picking up broken glass.

Laboratory Glass Management

Drake has a program in place to safely manage laboratory glass. Proper glass handling helps protect lab and custodial staff from cuts and punctures.

Please place all broken glass into the laboratory broken glass containers and contact EH&S for swap out and disposal when they become full.

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