Sharps Removal Service

The safe removal of sharps is extremely important, as coming into contact with a discarded sharp can pose significant health risks. Needles, syringes, and blades can often be found discarded in bins, toilets and other public areas. Rentokil Specialist Hygiene provide a comprehensive needle sweep service, helping to ensure the safe removal and disposal of these potentially harmful sharps.

It is imperative that sightings of sharps are reported immediately, so that they can be disposed of by a trained professional. The disposal of needles, syringes and hypodermics in a public litter bin or in household waste is dangerous, as they can be highly infectious. Our expert technicians are highly trained and equipped with essential personal protective equipment to safely remove sharps and carry out a needle sweep.

Our sharps and needle removal service includes:

• Safe removal of needles, sharps and discarded syringes. 
• Sharps disposal adhering to current health and safety regulations.
• The surrounding area is decontaminated and cleaned, to help eliminate any further risk of exposure to health hazards.

Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s trained needle sweep and sharps removal teams understand the possible dangers discarded needles and syringes can pose, as well as the importance of removing and disposing of them safely and quickly. Our technicians conduct an extensive needle sweep to ensure that all sharps are removed, before decontaminating the area to reduce any risk of contamination.

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  What are Sharps?

  Items classed as sharps can include: 

  • Syringes
  • Test tubes
  • Phials
  • Hypodermic needles
  • Scalpels
  • Razors and razor blades

  • Scalpels
  • Knives
  • Scissors
  • Pipettes
  • Blades
  • Broken Glass (or intact)
  • Other sharps such as sharp instruments or another sharp object.

  Unbroken glass and plastics should be treated and handled with the same level of care as needles and blades if contaminated with bio-hazardous materials.

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  Where Might I Find Sharps That Pose a Health and Safety Risk?

  Professional use of sharps, as well as the safe disposal of sharps, is the responsibility of that business.
  
  It is common to find sharps in public outdoor areas in towns and cities across the UK, such as public restrooms, car parks, alleyways, underpasses and within derelict or abandoned properties used for squatting and the use of illegal drugs, so care must be taken.
  
  Our specialist team of experts carry out an extensive and thorough needle sweep of the  areas where sharps pose a threat, then will disinfect the area and remove all sharp waste from the scene.

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  What is a Needle Sweep?

  Our sharp removal service includes needle sweeping, a process of finding and removing potentially dangerous sharp objects from your commercial or residential premises.
  
  Sharps pose a significant health risk and are classed as clinical waste, they should be removed and disposed of in a secure, professional and urgent matter. We would advise avoiding touching or picking up objects yourself and contact a trained professional. For immediate sharp removal and disposal, please contact us directly.

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  How Should I Dispose of Sharps and Needles Safely?

  Sharps can not be thrown away in a normal bin. Sharp bins or sharps containers should be used for the disposal of sharps safely. Sharp bins are secure and safe storage containers for sharps disposal to separate them from other clinical waste. Sharps should be disposed of immediately after use and not removed once placed in the container to prevent handling.
  
  If you require a specialist sharps container and clinical waste collection, our sister business Initial Medical offers a safe sharps disposal service with a wide range of disposal options for hazardous waste.

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  What are the Dangers of Sharps?

  If a sharp penetrates or punctures the skin, it can spread bloodborne pathogens, which are directly responsible for transmitting blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

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  What Should I do if I Have a Needle-Stick Injury?

  If you have an injury as a result of a needlestick, or injury from a sharp, follow these steps:

  • Encourage the wound to gently bleed, ideally holding it under running water.
  • Wash the wound using running water with plenty of soap.
  • If the eyes or mouth have been injured, they should be washed with water.
  • Don’t scrub the wound whilst you are washing it.
  • Don’t suck the wound.
  • Dry the wound and cover it with a waterproof plaster or dressing.
  • Seek urgent medical advice, as effective prophylaxis (medicines to help fight infection) are available.