This Sharps Collection & Disposal SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) sets out how cleaning workers safely locate, collect and dispose of discarded needles, syringes, blades and broken glass found in public areas, toilets, parks, retail sites and worksites. It covers restricting access, using a sharps pick-up tool and an approved puncture-resistant container, dealing with multiple sharps and what to do after a needle-stick injury. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Commercial cleaning contractors
Council parks and public amenities crews
Shopping centre and retail cleaners
Facility and property maintenance teams
Building site cleaners and labourers
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Needle-stick and sharps penetration injuries
Exposure to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV from blood or body fluids
Cuts and puncture wounds from blades and broken glass
Hidden sharps in bins, long grass, garden beds, cubicles and under fixtures
Members of the public disturbing a sharp before it's collected
Overfilled or forced sharps containers being punctured
What's included
4 pre-operational checks, from sharps awareness training to the pick-up tool, sharps container and first aid arrangements
An 8-step operating procedure covering restricting access, using the pick-up tool, multiple sharps and final area checks
Isolation and energy control for securing the cleaning trolley and keeping the sharps container sealed
5 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for needle-stick and sharps injuries, including first aid, reporting and urgent medical assessment
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Cleaning SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Is it suitable for healthcare or clinical settings?
No. It's written for non-clinical cleaning workers finding discarded sharps. Clinical and healthcare sharps handling isn't covered.
Can workers pick up a needle with gloves on?
No. Workers must never pick up a sharp by hand, even gloved. They use a sharps pick-up tool such as tongs, forceps or a sharps grabber and bring the container to the sharp.
Does it cover blood and body fluid spills?
No. General spills of blood or other body fluids are outside the scope of this SOP.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
