The OSU Sharps Safety Program establishes requirements for sharps use, injury prevention, and disposal practices: Click here to download the OSU Sharps Safety Program Policy
Sharps include any object capable of puncturing or penetrating the skin, such as needles, syringes, scalpels, and certain types of glass. Improper use or disposal of sharps can result in injury and potential exposure to biological hazards.
All personnel working with sharps must follow these basic safety practices:
- Use sharps only when necessary
- Do not recap needles
- Dispose of sharps immediately after use in approved sharps containers
- Do not overfill containers
Sharps must be placed in approved, puncture-resistant biohazard containers and disposed of through the OSU hazardous waste disposal system.
All sharps injuries, exposures, and near-misses must be reported through the OSU Riskonnect Incident Portal: https://risk.oregonstate.edu/