1910.1030(d)(2)(vii): No Bending or Recapping Contaminated Needles
Workers must not bend, recap or remove contaminated needles and sharps unless the employer shows there is no feasible alternative or a specific medical or dental procedure requires it. When allowed, it must be done with a mechanical device or a one-handed technique. Shearing or breaking contaminated needles is prohibited.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 41 inspections, with $24,758 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (36), PA (2), NV (2).
- Related part: 1910.1030(d) Methods of compliance (455 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii) is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(vii) Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps shall not be bent, recapped, or removed except as noted in paragraphs (d)(2)(vii)(A) and (d)(2)(vii)(B) below. Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles is prohibited. 48 citations
(A) Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps shall not be bent, recapped or removed unless the employer can demonstrate that no alternative is feasible or that such action is required by a specific medical or dental procedure. Open (d)(2)(vii)(a) 33 citations
(B) Such bending, recapping or needle removal must be accomplished through the use of a mechanical device or a one-handed technique. Open (d)(2)(vii)(b) 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TN (36), PA (2), NV (2), CT (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CPX2023XTN976X0011 - NEW DIRECTION FERTILITY CENTERS, PLLC | GILBERT, AZ | $5,469 |
| BEACON DENTAL | BEACON, NY | $4,965 |
| STONEHILL MC LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $4,138 |
| SM ENFIELD LLC | ENFIELD, CT | $3,000 |
| CENTURY PARK ASSOCIATES, LLC | ANTIOCH, TN | $2,800 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Is a single-handed scalpel blade removal device an engineering control under the Bloodborne Pathogens standard? (2023-02-08)
- Use of reusable microblading tools in the cosmetic tattoo industry (2017-01-06)
- Removal of Contaminated Needles Prior to Disposal. (2011-12-19)
- OSHA's position on the use of fingers or a two-handed procedure with a hemostat to remove scalpel blades. (2008-11-21)
- OSHA's position on the use of Q104 needle removal device. (2008-09-25)
- Applicability of the bloodborne pathogens standard to persons who self-administer injectable medications. (2005-09-06)
- Needle removal procedures for situations where other methods of disposal are infeasible or required by a specific procedure. (2004-12-09)
- Recapping of contaminated needles used in body piercing. (2003-08-19)
- Applicability of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard to the tattoo and body piercing industries. (2002-07-29)
- Re-use of blood tube holders. (2002-06-12)
- Recapping of contaminated needles. (1993-01-26)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(d) Methods of compliance 455 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4) Housekeeping 262 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii) Regulated Waste 195 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2) Engineering and work practice controls 141 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A) Contaminated Sharps Discarding and Containment 131 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(i) 53 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(3) Personal protective equipment 48 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii)(A) 33 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv) Laundry 23 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(i) General 23 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii) 22 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(ii) 21 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can contaminated needles be recapped?
Only if the employer can show no alternative is feasible or a specific medical or dental procedure requires it.
How must allowed recapping be done?
With a mechanical device or a one-handed technique.
Can contaminated needles be broken or sheared?
No. Shearing or breaking contaminated needles is prohibited.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.