Bending, recapping, or removing contaminated needles is prohibited, except under certain circumstances. When the employer can demonstrate that bending, removal or recapping is required by a specific medical or dental procedure or that no alternative is feasible, such actions are permitted. However, such actions must be accomplished by some method other than the traditional two-handed procedure (e.g., a mechanical device or a one hand scoop method). For example, these actions may be necessary when performing blood gas analyses; when inoculating a blood culture bottle; or when administering incremental doses of a medication to the same patient. Where no alternative to bending, recapping, or removing contaminated needles is feasible or such action is required by a specific medical or dental procedure there must be a written justification to that effect included as part of the exposure control plan. On the basis of reliable evidence, this justification must state the reason for the employer’s determination that no alternative is feasible or must specify that a particular medical or dental procedure requires, for example, the bending of the needle and the use of forceps to accomplish this task. Shearing or breaking contaminated needles is completely prohibited by the standard.
October 2018
Tags: OSHA, Engineering Controls