Clinical Waste

Waste from skin piercing procedures is classed as clinical waste e.g. swabs, dressings, syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, waste, which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming in to contact with it.

The disposal of clinical waste is controlled by the Environment Agency.There is a duty on those producing the clinical waste to take reasonable steps to handle and look after it safely, and to ensure others licensed to perform this task dispose of it legally. It is usually disposed of in yellow or orange clinical waste bags.

Clinical waste must be kept apart from general waste and must only be disposed/removed from the premises by a contractor licensed under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations.Disused needles to be put into approved covered and leak proof “sharps” boxes, safely disposed of at suitable intervals. Clinical waste must be stored where children and scavenging animals cannot access it.

Download PDFs:

British Acupuncture Council Code of Safe Practice

The Society of Chiropodists Disposal Waste

Health & Safety: SKIN PIERCING

Safe management of healthcare waste

Sharps Health & Safety Information

Hazardous Property Assessment