IMS9.4.6.15 Syringe Disposal Procedure

1.0   SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

• Never run hands between seats when checking for lost property.
• Always wear disposable gloves and pick up syringes by the plunger.
• Never use fingers to force syringe / sharp into sharps container.
• Do not attempt to replace protective cover on syringe if it has come adrift.

2.0   PROCEDURE

2.1   Finding a Syringe

1. Care is needed when looking for lost property, especially when checking between seats. When checking for lost property between seats crew are to proceed with caution. Under no circumstances are crew to slide their hands in between seats whilst looking for lost property or removing items lodged between seats.
2. If an employee discovers a syringe or sharp object, they must not be alarmed or panic.
3. Notify master that you have found a syringe.

2.2   Removing the Syringe

1. The employee retrieving the syringe or sharp must wear disposable gloves that are provided. (These gloves will not protect you from injury however they will form a barrier between you and the syringe)
2. Bring the sharps container to the needle. Do not walk around with the needle or sharp in you hands.
3. Pick up the needle by the plunger. Do not use tongs, tweezers or other devices to handle a needle as it may flick out of the implement and injure you.
4. Place the needle in an approved sharps container needle end first and secure the lid. Do not force the syringe into the container.

2.3   Disposal of Sharps and Gloves

1. Disposal of gloves if possible must be done in the same manner as the sharps container.
2. Remove the gloves for hands carefully so the fluid from the gloves does not come into contact with your hands.
3. Dispose of gloves in the same container as the sharps.
4. If this is not possible double wrap the gloves in plastic bags and place in the rubbish.
5. Do not shake the sharps container or tip it upside down always carry by the lid.
6. Advise your supervisor or the Safety Manager that you have a sharps container to dispose of.
7. Sharps will be disposed of though an infectious waste contractor (Regwaste Phone 1800 242 527).
8. Disposable gloves and sharps container must be replaced on board the vessel.

2.4   What to do if you Suspect you have been Exposed

1. The individual must immediately wash the area exposed with soap and running water. Gently pinch or squeeze blood out of the wound.
2. Apply antiseptic and a clean dressing to the affected area.

Contact your Supervisor immediately so that arrangements can be made to seek medical advice. You must visit a doctor or hospital within 24 hours of the exposure to undertake initial testing.

Following up testing is to be undertaken as per the instructions given by the medical practitioner.

3.0   REPORTING
All instances of discarded syringes are to be reported via the Incident Reporting procedure.

4.0   REFERENCES

Infection control guidelines 2001

Environmental Protection Waste Management Policy 2000

Queensland Health

The Queensland Clean Needle Helpline  (1800 NEEDLE /1800 633 353) is available to access information regarding needle stick injury, report incidents of unsafely discarded needles and syringes and to find out where and how used sharps can be safely disposed of. This service is available 24 hours, seven days a week, and is run by the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS).