Procedures for Needles & Sharps Safety

Table of Contents

Schools and programs follow the requirements to have policies surrounding blood-borne pathogens as outlined by The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 CFR 1910.1030). Refer to your school  or program policy and procedure. Needle and other sharp injuries can expose staff to potentially infectious materials and serious diseases. School or program personnel using, handling, and disposing of needles and other sharps must use prevention strategies. 

The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation of medication or tasks related to the use of sharp items. Additional steps may be required depending on the school or program needs.

These include the following ten steps: The delegatee understands they must:

  1. Participate in bloodborne pathogen training and follow infection prevention practices in the safe use and disposal of needles and other sharps as stated in your school program policy.
  2. Avoid the use of needles where safe and effective alternatives are available.
  3. Use devices with safety features whenever possible.
  4. Never recap, break, or bend used needles.
  5. Never use the personnel's own healthcare supplies for a student.
  6. Plan for safe handling and disposal before beginning any procedure using needles.
  7. Dispose of used needles promptly in appropriate sharps disposal containers as defined in your school or program bloodborne pathogen plan.
  8. Report all needle and other sharps-related injuries immediately to the school or program administration to follow proper procedures the bloodborne pathogen plan.
  9. Tell the registered nurse, school leader or program about hazards from needles that are seen in the work environment.
  10. Evaluate the effectiveness of prevention efforts and contribute by providing feedback.
  11. Following all documentation requirements.