The Animal Research Safety Team has added a new webpage focused on needle safety and needlestick prevention when working with animals.
Needlesticks are among the most common incidents reported for those working in research. Accidental needlesticks can transmit zoonotic diseases or expose workers to hazardous chemicals, biological agents, or radioactive materials. Understanding proper needle handling and disposal methods can drastically reduce the risk of exposure, and reporting needlestick injuries is key to catching hazard exposure early and helping the Office of Biological Safety create a safer working environment.
Review some of the tips and resources from the new webpage below:
- Best practices for drug preparation using syringes or other needles:
- Wear protocol-approved personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Keep injection preparation close to the location of administration and never transport uncapped needles.
- Use an approved recapping method when recapping is required. (See image below.)
- Best practices for administration:
- Use proper animal-handling techniques and restraint.
- Do not use bent needles.
- Keep hands and fingers out of the path of the needle and don’t rush.
- Best practices for needle disposal:
- Dispose of needles directly into a sharps container.
- Do not recap needles and never dispose of them in the trash or autoclave bags.
- Report needlestick Injuries using the First Report form.
For more helpful tips and resources for improving needle safety, check out the new webpage!
by Sarah Woelffler
Sarah Woelffer is an Animal Research Safety Specialist on the Animal Research Safety team. She supports the research community be reviewing animal and biosafety protocols, training and performing semi-annual IACUC inspections.
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