Posted By Kim Sunley Hi Does anyone know of a manufacturer of secure 'sharp bin' disposal units i.e. we are looking for some sort of cage with a small aperture to lock in a sharps bin. We have a problem with IV drug users disposing on their used needles in our sanitary waste units and we do not want to go down the 'blue light' route or have a full needle exchange unit. thanks

Posted By Joe Paterson Hi Kim Im sure any of the Suppliers of Sharps Containers could come up with something that "they" would deem suitable. My concern would be the Risk of a child or other user of the WC actually coming into contact with the contents of the container, whether intentionally or not, By actually placing the container within the WC are the Organisation readily accepting that its ok for sharps to be disposed of here? Human nature is that the area will become a drop zone for unwanted sharps, it will also most likely become an area where IV users will access for the actual administration of the drugs. Does your Clinical Waste Policy allow for the siting and storage of Sharps in a Public area? I appreciate that Im raising more problems than solutions here, and I readily accept that its a difficult choice whether you go down the "blue light" route, or leave as is, There are arguments for and against the use of blue lighting,from my experience here in Glasgow where we have similar problems, blue lighting does for the most part deter the IV user. Id guess the questions that have to be asked, are, is your Organisation looking to prevent the sharps being disposed of in your premises, or are they looking to control them, thereby accepting that the situation can remain.

Posted By Frank Hallett Hi Kim. I see that you have an NHS email address so you're well aware of providers of standard "sharps" containers. As I understand your question from the content of your post, the issue isn't the provision of "sharps" bins in itself, but a means of keeping a "sharps" bin and its contents secure from those who wish to access it and re-use. Get some contacts with local metal-working companies and set up a production, selection and provision review with the best [that doesn't always mean cheapest!] getting a contract for providing the security containers for the standard "sharps" bins. The last bit will be the hardest once you've overcome the inertia of getting approval to do it at all. Frank Hallett