Sharps removal – a safe and compliant process
When called to a site, our experienced sharps removal specialists will assess the area and the scale of the task that needs to be carried out.
All our biohazard cleaning work is carried out in accordance with a risk assessment and method statement supported by a point of works risk assessment.
The extent of the area that needs to be cleaned will be assessed and, if necessary, cordoned off so no members of the public cannot enter and put themselves at risk.
During a needle sweep of the contaminated area, all needles, and related paraphernalia, will be placed in a sealed yellow container, clearly marked as containing sharps and biohazard material.
Appropriate PPE will be used, including full body overalls, masks and anti-needlestick gloves. Where possible, all sharps will be picked up remotely using professional litter pickers.
The experience of our teams means they will be able to quickly spot the tell-tale signs of anti-social activity associated with the presence of sharps and the nooks and crannies where they may be been left.
Where necessary, our operatives will also sanitise potentially contaminated surfaces with professional disinfectants.
SafeGroup will provide you with all relevant documentation, including a hazardous waste consignment note, to show the sharps collected be disposed of safely (usually by incineration) in compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and related regulations.
Signs of sharps and needle use
Needles and other related hazardous items may not have been left on the ground where they can be easily seen.
There are however some tell-tale signs to look for. If you see any of them, call SafeGroup to enquiry about our sharps removal and disposal service:
- Orange needle caps. These are small orange, cylindrical caps, up to 10mm long and 5mm wide. They are signs that the actual discarded needle may be close by.
- Aluminium foil wraps or small metal spoons. These are likely to be used to prepare a drug for injection.
- Small clear plastic bags or wraps. These are often the packaging in which drugs are carried and traded.
- Empty bottles, food packaging and signs that a space has been occupied, for example discarded clothing.
- The activity described above also indicated risk of other forms of contamination, for example human and dog faeces and urine, which must also be treated as a biohazard.
Sharps Waste Disposal Services
At SafeGroup we have highly trained staff who specialise in sharps removal and disposal. We offer this service across the United Kingdom.
Talk to the experts about sharp removal and disposal
Property owners and managers have a duty of care to their staff, customers and the general public.
If you have concerns that sharps, including drug paraphernalia, have been discarded in your buildings or across your land, call SafeGroup: 0800 668 1268.
