1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A): Discarding Contaminated Sharps
Employers must make sure contaminated sharps are discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded. Containers must be easy to reach near where sharps are used, kept upright, replaced routinely and not overfilled, closed before moving, placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible, and reusable containers must never be opened, emptied or cleaned by hand.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 131 times in the last 3 years, in 115 inspections, with $196,749 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (37), NV (15), OR (14).
- 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)(4)(iii)(A) ("Contaminated Sharps Discarding and Containment") is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(A) Contaminated Sharps Discarding and Containment. 131 citations
(1) Contaminated sharps shall be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are:
(i) Closable;
(ii) Puncture resistant;
(iii) Leakproof on sides and bottom; and
(iv) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard.
(2) During use, containers for contaminated sharps shall be:
(i) Easily accessible to personnel and located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can be reasonably anticipated to be found (e.g., laundries);
(ii) Maintained upright throughout use; and
(iii) Replaced routinely and not be allowed to overfill.
(3) When moving containers of contaminated sharps from the area of use, the containers shall be:
(i) Closed immediately prior to removal or replacement to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping;
(ii) Placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible. The second container shall be:
(A) Closable;
(B) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping; and
(C) Labeled or color-coded according to paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard.
(4) Reusable containers shall not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner which would expose employees to the risk of percutaneous injury.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1030.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 57 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: TN (37), NV (15), OR (14), NY (7), MN (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CURTIS BAY ENERGY, INC. | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 |
| AYLO HEALTH, LLC | STOCKBRIDGE, GA | $9,679 |
| COMPREHENSIVE AT ORLEANS, LLC | ALBION, NY | $8,511 |
| ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $8,066 |
| 160990 - VESTIS SERVICES, LLC | CANTON, NC | $8,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii)(A), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Placement of sharps containers and requirement to ensure they are maintained in an upright position. (2008-04-18)
- Applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard to the containment and disposal of electric razors in correctional facilities and health care settings. (2008-01-02)
- OSHA does not regulate the final disposal of medical waste. (2007-10-26)
- Whether diabetics who self-administer at work can dispose of capped insulin syringes in an office trash container. (2007-06-29)
- The applicability of OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standards to the use of sharps containers on hospital crash carts. (2007-06-14)
- Whether dental anesthetic carpules are considered to be "contaminated sharps" or "regulated waste". (2007-01-09)
- Applicability of the bloodborne pathogens standard to persons who self-administer injectable medications. (2005-09-06)
- Containment and disposal requirements for disposable razors used in long-term health care facilities for personal grooming. (2005-03-28)
- Recapping of contaminated needles used in body piercing. (2003-08-19)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applicability to radiopharmaceutical use. (1998-05-18)
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)(2)(i) 53 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(2)(vii) 48 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
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of container is required for used sharps?
One that is closable, puncture resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded.
Can a sharps container be filled to the top?
No. Containers must be replaced routinely and not allowed to overfill.
Can reusable sharps containers be emptied by hand?
No. They must not be opened, emptied or cleaned manually or in any way that risks a puncture injury.
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.