Ask the expert: Sharps container disposal height

By: David LaHoda July 2nd, 2010

Q: What is the OSHA regulation height for sharps disposal containers?

A: OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard section (d)(4)(iii)(A)(2)(i) does not specify height, only that sharps disposal containers must be “Easily accessible to personnel and located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can be reasonably anticipated…”

Employers can determine accessibility by referring to the NIOSH document Selecting, Evaluating, and Using Sharps Disposal Containers.

Healthcare workers should be able to view the entire opening of the sharps disposal container while comfortably standing within arm’s reach.

NIOSH provides an ergonomically ideal formula by establishing the eye-level height, maximum thumb tip reach of the worker population, and including a drop angle drop 15 degrees (see illustration below).

All of which is a fancy way of saying that sharps disposal container height should be:

Standing workstation:52 to 56 inches above the standing surface of the user
Seated workstation: 38 to 42 inches above the floor on which the chair rests

These height installation suggestions will “comfortably accommodate 95% of all adult female workers,” according to NIOSH.

Source: Selecting, Evaluating, and Using Sharps Disposal Containers, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-111.

Comments(6) Ask the Expert—Bloodborne Pathogens, Featured, Needlesticks & Sharps Injuries

Comments

By Phyllis Fisher on July 8th, 2010 at 9:26 am

This doesn’t take into effect sharp containers that are attached to the side of the med carts. Top of med cart doesn’t seem to be practable due to the limited space on the working surface.

By David LaHoda on July 8th, 2010 at 1:32 pm

You are correct as the advice applies to wall mounted or fixed container placements. For sharps disposal containers on carts you should still follow NIOSH recommendations from the document referenced in the post above:

–Accessibility: Containers should be accessible to workers who use, maintain, or dispose of sharp devices. Containers should be conveniently placed and (if necessary) portable within the workplace.

–Visibility: Containers should be plainly visible to the workers who use them. Workers should be able to see the degree to which the container is full, proper warning labels, and color coding.

–Accommodation: Container designs should be accommodating or convenient for the user and the facility, and they should be environmentally sound (e.g., free of heavy metals and composed of recycled materials). Accommodation also includes ease of storage and assembly and simplicity of operation.

Also, not all sharps disposal containers are appropriate for use on carts, especially if the container’s doors or closings do not guard against accidental spillage as OSHA makes clear in the interpretation letter: “The applicability of OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standards to the use of sharps containers on hospital crash carts.”

By sandy on July 27th, 2010 at 2:49 pm

do the large sharps containers (size of a trash can) have to be wall mounted or can they be on the floor if there is no danger of them tipping over?

By David LaHoda on July 27th, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Your situation, as described, is complaint with OSHA.

By Amie on November 22nd, 2011 at 2:35 pm

What about large sized sharps container used in lab. Is it allowed to be on the floor and not mounted?

By David LaHoda on November 22nd, 2011 at 3:07 pm

My response above would apply to lab settings, too.