Needle Safety in the Lab
Research Safety
Preventing Needle-Related Injuries
Needles are essential tools in research, but they also pose serious risks. Follow these guidelines to protect yourself, your colleagues and others.
General Handling Guidelines:
- Use blunt-tip needles whenever possible.
- Plan ahead and organize your workspace before starting.
Always keep your hands behind the needle tip. - Do not recap needles, unless it is absolutely required for the procedure.
- Never bend, shear or break a needle before disposal.
Disposal of Needles:
- Use sturdy, puncture resistant sharps containers.
- Sharps containers with biohazard or human fluid/tissue contaminated needles must be clearly labeled with the biohazard symbol and autoclaved.
- Sharps container with chemically contaminated needles must be labeled with a hazardous waste disposal label. Remove or deface the biohazard label if using biohazard sharps containers.
- Do not overfill. Replace sharps containers when they are 3/4 full.
In the Case of a Needle Injury:
- Immediately wash the affected area with soap and water.
- Immediately notify your PI or supervisor and submit a First Report of Injury (FROI).
- Seek medical attention if necessary.
Contact
Environmental Health and Safety
researchsafety@purdue.edu
765-494-6371