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9 • <br />7. 1. Policy <br />It is the policy of Sodexo Laundry Stockton to decrease the exposure of employees to <br />potentially dangerous items and to provide for the proper handling, disposal and <br />documentation of all "sharps" in the work environment. <br />7.2. Process <br />"Sharps" are defined as "any object that can penetrate the skin including but not <br />limited to needles, scalpels, and broken glassware." <br />7.3. Procedures <br />• Employees will notify a supervisor if a sharp is discovered (EMPLOYEES <br />ARE NOT TO PICK UP "SHARPS") during the processing of hospital <br />linen. <br />• Supervisor will use puncture resistant gloves or tongs to carefully handle the <br />sharp and place it in the nearest sharps disposal container. <br />• Supervisor will document each occurrence immediately. <br />• There will be puncture resistant sharps containers spaced conveniently <br />throughout the facility and visible to all personnel entering the area. Boxes <br />are dated on the day they are placed in the soiled linen area. <br />• Sharps containers shall be disposed of when 2/3 full. NEVER attempt to <br />consolidate partially full containers. Observe Universal Precautions when <br />handling sharps containers. <br />• Document (see accompanying form) the appearance of a sharp in any <br />hospital linen. Include date, description and number of items found. <br />• Record information on "SHARPS Exposure Log". <br />• Communicate with the facility the details of the incident (see accompanying <br />letters) in the manner prescribed. <br />• Review preceding procedures with all new employees and on an annual <br />basis. <br />12.09 -25- <br />