Sharps containers labeled, no non-sharp waste, not overfilled, not overdue

Corrective actions:

Purchase MSU-approved containers from University Stores and record date of first use in the EHS provided label. If one is purchased through another vendor, request a label from EHS.

Add used sharps until is ¾ full and/or within 18 months of first use, whichever comes first.

Close lid permanently, request pick up by EHS and additional labels on the EHS Safety Portal (Hazardous Waste Pickup and Lab Label Request).

Additional information:

Sharps are defined as needles, syringes, scalpels, and intravenous tubing with needles attached, as well as any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin such as: Contaminated Pasteur pipettes, razor blades, capillary tubes, etc.  

Place discarded needles and syringes into an approved MSU sharps container. An approved sharps container is one that is leakproof, puncture – resistant, closable, bears the biohazard symbol and is manufactured as a sharps container. Sharps containers used on campus should also be labeled with the EHS “Sharps” label to facilitate proper treatment and disposal of containers. Do not clip, bend break, or recap sharps. A sharps container must be permanently closed and disposed of through the EHS when:

• It is ¾ full and/or
• Within 18 months of the date that the first sharp was placed in it, whichever comes first

References:

• BMBL 6th ed. HHS Publication No. No. (CDC) 300859
• NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules. April 2019.
• MSU Biosafety and Security Manual
• MSU Bloodborne Exposure Control Plan
• MSU Waste Disposal Guidance
• MSU Biohazardous Waste Management Plan