Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) SLC Practice Exam

How should sharp objects be disposed of in a healthcare setting?

1. Throw them in regular trash

2. Call for disposal help

3. Drop the entire sharp into a sharps container

4. Break them before disposal

The correct answer is: Drop the entire sharp into a sharps container

In a healthcare setting, sharp objects, such as needles and scalpels, pose a significant risk of injury and infection. Therefore, they must be disposed of in a manner that ensures safety for healthcare workers, patients, and the environment. The correct procedure is to drop the entire sharp into a sharps container. Sharps containers are specifically designed to be puncture-resistant and are clearly labeled to indicate that they are intended for the disposal of sharps. This minimizes the risk of accidental injuries during disposal and ensures that these hazardous items are handled appropriately. Proper disposal in sharps containers helps facilitate safe transport to medical waste facilities, where they can be processed without posing a danger to others. In contrast, putting sharp objects in regular trash does not provide any safety measures and increases the risk of injury during waste handling. Calling for disposal help may be unnecessary when sharp objects can be safely placed in designated containers. Breaking sharp objects before disposal can also be dangerous and is not a recommended practice, as it increases the likelihood of accidental cuts and injuries.