That's a judgement call on your part. Technically, non-biologically contaminated pipette tips can be considered "RCRA Empty" - but if you believe a sufficient risk exists to cause some kind of puncture/injection wound to a worker who's taking out lab waste, then by all means create a standard operating procedure that eliminates the risk. And state it in your Chemical Hygiene Plan. When OSHA investigates an accident, they look for a specific violation (e.g. equipment lacking a belt guard), and if there's no specific violation on the books, they go by the General Duty Clause (i.e. you should have seen that one coming!). Next, they try to figure out if the accident occurred as a result of bad management or if the worker ignored the rules, and why. In Los Angeles, we put the plastic pipette tips in a sharps container. Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM Safety Officer Los Angeles County Public Health Lab >>> Steven Funck4/6/2009 9:33 AM >>> Does anyone know whether there is specific guidance concerning disposable pipets which are not biologically contaminated. Must they be disposed of as "sharps" or can they be placed in normal trash? Steven S. Funck Messiah College Natural Sciences Laboratory Programs Manager Box 3049 1 College Ave Grantham, PA 17027 717-796-1800 ext. 2079
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