Sharp hospital tools

These are represented by infected sharp materials (needles, syringes, glassworks, etc.) that must be collected in special cartons supplied with a spring opening and a tip-up lid with irreversible closing and then disposed of in containers for hospital treated waste.

Biological risk is determined by the presence, in the waste, of micro-organisms capable of infecting workers involved in waste disposal at all levels.

Infectious risk is linked only to some types of hospital special waste such as microbiological waste, histopathological waste (tissue, organs), blood and derivatives, sharp objects, animals' carcases and anatomical pieces, all products that are largely sterilized before disposal. Waste contamination by pathogenic micro-organisms is then not sufficient to induce infection, as concurrence of other conditions, such as infecting dose, germ virulence, penetration path, etc., is needed.
Infectious risks are generally the result of sharp injuries or stab-wounds most frequently located on the hands, the forearms and the lower limbs. These accidents may recognize different causes:
- careless manipulation of waste, carried out without the use of personal protective devices,
- employment of containers unsuitable in size, resistance, impermeability, closing,
- employment of incorrect conditioning techniques.

Chemical risk is due to the presence, in the waste, of chemical substances deriving from hospital activities. The main compounds that may be found in hospital waste include disinfectants (aldehydes, alcohol, phenols, ammonium, etc.) and drugs (especially antitumoural drugs).

Finally, a traumatic risk can be identified in the shifting of waste containers.

Sewage and waste management

Sewage and waste management

Sharp hospital tools