Insulin Needles again?

Question

My boss acts like this is no big deal She saided That I know how she throws them away. They have been working togeather for 4 years and they are buddys What I was woding if I should go to the biger boss or the owner of the company. I would think that this girl would already know how to get rid of her waste.She has been doing this for some time Because the girl before me Told me she was doing this before I worked there.But I had to see for myself. And I almost got stuck with it by taking her trashout that she left behind Im a security Officer And this girl is in her40s Thank u all

Answer 1

It is illegal to throw needles and syringes into the general trash. The rules and regulations regarding sharps disposal are different in towns and counties around the country, so check with your local sanitation or health department. If the practice continues report your coworker/boss to the company owner. He/she could get into big trouble if needles are found in the trash. For your safety and the safety of ANYBODY that handles the trash this needs to be reported. Your boss and coworkers attitude is inexcusable.
If you have any questions about throwing away syringes or lancets, call BD toll free: 1.888.BD CARES (232.2737).

There is also a disintegrator product that will destroy the needles on syringes and lancets so they can be thrown in the regular trash. The lower priced ones cost anywhere from $30-$50. Insurance may cover the cost, if not it can be written off on the income tax return for needed medical supplies.
http://www.isips.org/Home_Syringe_and_Needle_Disposal.html

Addendum:
This is a question and answer taken off an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) website for handling sharps.
" Why can't needles/syringes be thrown in the trash?
Once your regular household trash is picked up by local waste workers, it may be sorted for recycling purposes. When used syringes, needles, lancets, diabetic supplies or medical waste is thrown into the trash, these employees are at great risk of needlesticks (sharps) that can result in deadly disease. Even when needles are contained in a coffee can, bleach bottle or other plastic container, these sharps containers are often crushed during processing, releasing the needles, syringes, and lancets into the waste stream. Due to this danger, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidelines recommending that home users of sharps (diabetic supplies) NOT throw them in the trash. Mailback sharps disposal is one of the the EPA recommendations included on its website."

How can I protect myself from needlestick injuries?
*Avoid the use of needles where safe and effective alternatives are available.
*Help your employer select and evaluate devices with safety features that reduce the risk of needlestick injury.
*Use devices with safety features provided by your employer.
*******Avoid recapping needles.
*Plan for safe handling and disposal of needles before using them.
*Promptly dispose of used needles in appropriate sharps disposal containers.
*Report all needlestick and sharps-related injuries promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate followup care.
********Tell your employer about any needlestick hazards you observe.
*Participate in training related to infection prevention.
********Get a hepatitis B vaccination.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2000-135/

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

You sound totally illiterate and you are a liar. How can you almost poke yourself when most of us diabetics put the poke-proof lid back on the needle before throwing it away. The only time you don't is when you are putting it in a Sharps container. You sound like you have a grudge against this girl and you've chosen her Diabetes to pick at her. You do know if she decided to file a complaint against you, that she is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Answer 5

I'm just learning about this as my husband just started using insulin. People in general even at the hospital where I work don't know the law as it apparantly isn't consistant everywhere. I am going to take them to the hospital and dispose of them as throwing them in the trash seems terribly unresponsible, even if they are in a sharps container. The trash gets smashed and then all the needles are exposed to whoever gets near them

Answer 6

The first thing you need to do is approach this person and remind her that it is ILLEGAL to throw used needles in the trash and that if she gets caught she could get in trouble. Also let her know that you almost got stuck from a needle and that if you find needles in the trash again you may have to report this as you are worried about getting stuck by a needle and don't want to have to go through the time and expense of having to get tested for HIV if you do get stuck next time. If this doesn't wake her up so to speak then by all means talk to someone higher up about this.

Answer 7

She needs to get a hazardous waste container, which should be solid plastic for her needles. This is hazardous waste and she's putting everyone at risk.

We had a problem in my city with people leaving needles in the garbage and toilets and such in the public library, they had to install these containers, because it's very bad if you don't.

Check with your local health department, they should have the containers, or a doctor will, or a local aids organization.

If you stick yourself and she has a disease like HIV you can catch it, that is not good. Go to whoever you have to to get this changed and get her to dispose of them properly.

Answer 8

Yes, it is a very big deal to throw used needles in the trash... and you should go to whomever you need to to get this problem taken care of.

Diabetics are well aware of the requirement of throwing away their biohazard waste, so this girl knows better. It's not only her blood that anyone would be exposed to from a accidental needle stick, it's all the germs and bacteria in the trash can.

Go back to your boss, or their boss, and demand this problem be taken care of. I'm sure it violates health codes as well...

Answer 9

IF she consulted her diabetic counselor she would find out that this is a big NO NO!!
She should place them in a hard plastic container or at least an empty milk jug.
That is a HUGE risk!!
DO NOT EMPTY HER TRASH UNLESS SHE CHANGES THIS PRACTICE!!!
If you get stuck and you've informed your boss previously of this issue you can sue the company for your medical bills.

Answer 10

Contact the head of the company IMMEDIATELY. Way are you waiting? She is breaking federal laws. Sure tell the big-boss about this and tell him you are going to contact the Safe Needle Disposal Organization. She needs to be reported immediately.

http://www.safeneedledisposal.org/