1. (1) You must place contaminated reusable sharps immediately, or as soon as possible after use, in appropriate containers until properly decontaminated. Containers must be all of the following:

   1. (a) Puncture resistant;
   2. (b) Labeled or color-coded as described in this chapter;
   3. (c) Leakproof on the sides and bottom;
   4. (d) Meet the same requirements as the container for disposable sharps, except they do not need to be closable.
2. (2) You must store or process contaminated reusable sharps so employees aren't required to reach into the container or sink by hand.

3. (3) You must make sure reusable sharps containers aren't opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner that would expose employees to contaminated sharps.

   Reference:

   Requirements for appropriate labels and color-coding are found in WAC 296-823-14025.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050. WSR 15-23-086, § 296-823-14015, filed 11/17/15, effective 12/18/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. WSR 04-12-070, § 296-823-14015, filed 6/1/04, effective 9/1/04; WSR 03-09-110, § 296-823-14015, filed 4/22/03, effective 8/1/03.]