One-Handed Technique Sharps Disposal Immediately or as soon as possible after use, contaminated reusable sharps will be placed in appropriate containers until properly reprocessed. These containers must be puncture resistant, labeled biohazard or color-coded, leakproof on the sides and bottom and shall not be stored or processed in a manner that requires employees to reach by hand into the container where the sharps have been placed. When moving containers of contaminated sharps from the area of use, the container must be closed immediately prior to removal or replacement to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping. If leakage is possible, a secondary container must be used. Reusable containers shall not be opened, emptied or cleaned manually, or in any other manner that would expose employees to the risk of percutaneous injury.
Steam autoclaving is a suitable treatment technique for small volumes of infectious wastes.
These include used first aid supplies, blood spill clean up sorbents, liquids, and other small volumes of infectious wastes. Many campus departments already use autoclaves for sterilization of laboratory equipment. At UWM autoclaves are currently operated by the School of Allied Health Professions, the Department of Biological Sciences, the Chemistry Department and the Water Institute. Chemical sterilization is accomplished by use of ethylene oxide, isolyzer compounds or dilute bleach solutions. Ethylene oxide treatment is impractical except in large hospitals.