1910.1030(d)(4)(iii): Sharps Containers and Regulated Waste
Employers must discard contaminated sharps immediately or as soon as feasible in closable, puncture-resistant, leakproof, labeled or color-coded containers kept upright, close to where sharps are used, and replaced before they overfill. Containers must be closed before moving, placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible, and reusable ones must never be opened or emptied by hand. Other regulated waste must go in closable, leakproof, labeled containers.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 195 times in the last 3 years, in 166 inspections, with $321,737 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (58), NV (21), OR (17).
- 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) ("Regulated Waste") is one requirement inside 1910.1030 Bloodborne pathogens, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 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
(iii) Regulated Waste — 195 citations
(A) Contaminated Sharps Discarding and Containment. Open (d)(4)(iii)(a) 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.
(B) Other Regulated Waste Containment — Open (d)(4)(iii)(b) 19 citations
(1) Regulated waste shall be placed in containers which are:
(i) Closable;
(ii) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport or shipping;
(iii) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) this standard; and
(iv) Closed prior to removal to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.
(2) If outside contamination of the regulated waste container occurs, it shall be placed in a second container. The second container shall be:
(i) Closable;
(ii) Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport or shipping;
(iii) Labeled or color-coded in accordance with paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this standard; and
(iv) Closed prior to removal to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.
(C) Disposal of all regulated waste shall be in accordance with applicable regulations of the United States, States and Territories, and political subdivisions of States and Territories. Open (d)(4)(iii)(c) 5 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 | 13 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 89 |
| 2026 | 46 |
Top states: TN (58), NV (21), OR (17), NY (11), PR (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| COMPASSUS HOME HEALTH | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $16,554 |
| WALGREENS OF PUERTO RICO INC. | MAYAGUEZ, PR | $14,187 |
| ALLERVIE HEALTH | BETHLEHEM, PA | $10,000 |
| CURTIS BAY ENERGY, INC. | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 |
| AYLO HEALTH, LLC | STOCKBRIDGE, GA | $9,679 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1030(d)(4)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Use of reusable microblading tools in the cosmetic tattoo industry (2017-01-06)
- OSHA policy on the containerization and disposal of specimen containers used for urine collection in medical settings. (2011-04-08)
- Disposal of blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). (2009-06-02)
- 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)
- Requirements for the construction of trash receptacles used in operating rooms for the containerization of regulated waste. (2007-08-09)
- 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)
- Application of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens standard to contractors who clean up blood following accidents. (2007-05-22)
- 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)
- Clarification from OSHA regarding the use of the NeedleguardTM in a hospital environment. (2004-04-20)
- Recapping of contaminated needles used in body piercing. (2003-08-19)
- Application of the bloodborne pathogens standard to veterinary clinics. (2002-10-15)
- Decontamination and labeling requirements for BBP-contaminated equipment and sharps. (2001-06-11)
- Use of engineering and work practice controls during pouring of blood or OPIM. (2001-02-09)
- Disposal methods for blood collection tubes. (2000-03-13)
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applicability to radiopharmaceutical use. (1998-05-18)
- Application of provisions of the Bloodborne Pathogens standard to Funeral and Nursing Homes. (1992-06-01)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1030(d) Methods of compliance 455 citations
- 1910.1030(d)(4) Housekeeping 262 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)(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
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of container is required for contaminated sharps?
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 shall not be opened, emptied or cleaned manually or in any way that exposes employees to the risk of percutaneous 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.