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Hi all,
Not sure if my first email (below) was distributed but would like to comment on the great replies coming in…* Although Australia has no regulations on sharps container (SC) heights, there are national guidelines (AHFG; HB260-2003) and these are picked up in some state recommendations.
* I strongly advise against using the NIOSH 1998 Evaluation, Selection and Use of SC – it’s 52″-56″ recommendation is based on USA white 1970’s population and is dangerously high.
* Close scrutiny of individual rooms in the AHFG guide show heights are inconsistent and range from 800mm-1300mm but….the 900mm is (correctly) for trolleys and 1100mm (correctly) for walls. 1300mm for resusc wall is too high.
* The height should accommodate your shortest staff (or at least 95% of them) and given nurse shortages (forgive the pun), immigrant nurses from Asian countries are commonly 10cm shorter than Caucasian Australian nurses.
* I recommend “70% of shoed 5th percentile height” and this means aperture height for shoed 5th percentile Australian females is 1091mm; and for Vietnamese or Filipino nurses is 1015mm.
So, given ethnic mix among Australian females, an aperture height 1.1 – 1.2m above floor appears reasonable.
Best regards, Terry
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
E: tg@gandassoc.com
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email or attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original message. Thank you.”Dear Kylie,
There are no national or state regulations stipulating Sharps Container (SC) height in Australia (nor elsewhere that I know of) but there are guidelines. At outset we should agree that it is height of SC aperture in Q. Here are my findings on the matter…
The correct height for SC is one at which staff can safely view down in to the aperture to ensure it is clear and to facilitate safe deposit of sharps and correct activation of tray/door (if present).The Australasian Health infrastructure Alliance shows the aperture of the wall-mounted SC to be approximately 1.3m off the floor in Acute Patient Bays (http://www.healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/standard_components_lz.aspx), however heights above 1.2m are associated with increased sharps injuries (SI) to HCW (Weltman et al ICHE 1995;16:268-274).
My research indicates that a safe, wall-mounted aperture height is 1.1m – 1.2m above floor level. Epidemiological evidence confirms that staff risk far exceeds child injury risk and at this height I have yet to see a child SI cited.Historically, SC were placed at “ergonomic height for staff to safely use” – there was no ‘recommended height from floor’. However, the fear of child access caused SC to be raised to non-ergonomic heights to the point where numerous SI to HCW have been reported because they could not see that:
* a tray/door had activated correctly
* the aperture was clear
* the SC was not overfilled;
* a sharp was not retained in the vestibule (throat) of a tray/door SC;
* or that a sharp was protruding from the aperture
NB. Karen Daley the President of American Nurses Association said she acquired HIV and HCV through an SI because the SC was mounted too high.
I have written to CDC’s NIOSH to inform them their 1998 guideline on Evaluation, Selection and Use of SC (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-111/ ) needs updating as they recommend a height of “52-56 inches” (1.32 – 1.42m). They will discuss this at the next, yet to be scheduled review.
SC height is compounded in countries with short-stature staff and also compounded in developed countries where nurse shortages have been filled with staff emigrating from Asia, Phillipines, Mexico, etc – all short-stature countries.Finally, sharps containers need be mounted to accommodate an institution’s shortest staff, not their average staff.
I hope this is helpful to you.
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
E: tg@gandassoc.com
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email or attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original message. Thank you.”UNCLASSIFIED
Good Afternoon,I was wondering where it is actually written that wall mounted sharps containers should be below eye level and minimum height 1.1m so as out of reach of young children, can anyone advise?
Much appreciated.
Regards,
Kylie Long
Flight Lieutenant
Infection Prevention and Control
Clinical Governance & Projects
Garrison Health Operations Branch
Joint Health Command
Department of DefenceMessages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.
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UNCLASSIFIED
Good Morning,
I would just like to thank all those that responded to my request,
definitely great replies which have saved me a lot of time and effort in
researching.
Very much appreciated!!Regards,
Kylie Long
Flight Lieutenant
Infection Prevention and Control
Clinical Governance & Projects
Garrison Health Operations Branch
Joint Health Command
Department of Defence
________________________________
Behalf Of Terry Grimmond
Hi all,
Not sure if my first email (below) was distributed but would like to
comment on the great replies coming in…* Although Australia has no regulations on sharps container (SC)
heights, there are national guidelines (AHFG; HB260-2003) and these are
picked up in some state recommendations.* I strongly advise against using the NIOSH 1998 Evaluation,
Selection and Use of SC – it’s 52″-56″ recommendation is based on USA
white 1970’s population and is dangerously high.* Close scrutiny of individual rooms in the AHFG guide show
heights are inconsistent and range from 800mm-1300mm but….the 900mm is
(correctly) for trolleys and 1100mm (correctly) for walls. 1300mm for
resusc wall is too high.* The height should accommodate your shortest staff (or at least
95% of them) and given nurse shortages (forgive the pun), immigrant
nurses from Asian countries are commonly 10cm shorter than Caucasian
Australian nurses.* I recommend “70% of shoed 5th percentile height” and this
means aperture height for shoed 5th percentile Australian females is
1091mm; and for Vietnamese or Filipino nurses is 1015mm.So, given ethnic mix among Australian females, an aperture height 1.1 –
1.2m above floor appears reasonable.Best regards, Terry
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of
the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is
confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you
are reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this
email or attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error, please notify me immediately by return email or telephone and
destroy the original message. Thank you.”Dear Kylie,
There are no national or state regulations stipulating Sharps Container
(SC) height in Australia (nor elsewhere that I know of) but there are
guidelines. At outset we should agree that it is height of SC aperture
in Q. Here are my findings on the matter…The correct height for SC is one at which staff can safely view down in
to the aperture to ensure it is clear and to facilitate safe deposit of
sharps and correct activation of tray/door (if present).The Australasian Health infrastructure Alliance shows the aperture of
the wall-mounted SC to be approximately 1.3m off the floor in Acute
Patient Bays
(http://www.healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/standard_components_lz.aspx)
, however heights above 1.2m are associated with increased sharps
injuries (SI) to HCW (Weltman et al ICHE 1995;16:268-274).My research indicates that a safe, wall-mounted aperture height is 1.1m
– 1.2m above floor level. Epidemiological evidence confirms that staff
risk far exceeds child injury risk and at this height I have yet to see
a child SI cited.Historically, SC were placed at “ergonomic height for staff to safely
use” – there was no ‘recommended height from floor’. However, the fear
of child access caused SC to be raised to non-ergonomic heights to the
point where numerous SI to HCW have been reported because they could not
see that:* a tray/door had activated correctly
* the aperture was clear
* the SC was not overfilled;
* a sharp was not retained in the vestibule (throat) of a
tray/door SC;* or that a sharp was protruding from the aperture
NB. Karen Daley the President of American Nurses Association said she
acquired HIV and HCV through an SI because the SC was mounted too high.I have written to CDC’s NIOSH to inform them their 1998 guideline on
Evaluation, Selection and Use of SC
(http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-111/ ) needs updating as they
recommend a height of “52-56 inches” (1.32 – 1.42m). They will discuss
this at the next, yet to be scheduled review.SC height is compounded in countries with short-stature staff and also
compounded in developed countries where nurse shortages have been filled
with staff emigrating from Asia, Phillipines, Mexico, etc – all
short-stature countries.Finally, sharps containers need be mounted to accommodate an
institution’s shortest staff, not their average staff.I hope this is helpful to you.
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of
the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is
confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you
are reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this
email or attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error, please notify me immediately by return email or telephone and
destroy the original message. Thank you.”Behalf Of Long, Kylie FLTLT
UNCLASSIFIED
Good Afternoon,
I was wondering where it is actually written that wall mounted sharps
containers should be below eye level and minimum height 1.1m so as out
of reach of young children, can anyone advise?Much appreciated.
Regards,
Kylie Long
Flight Lieutenant
Infection Prevention and Control
Clinical Governance & Projects
Garrison Health Operations Branch
Joint Health Command
Department of Defence
and is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914.
If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact
the sender and delete the email.Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and
do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives
– registration and login required.Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a
new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.auTo send a message to the list administrator send an email to
aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’
(without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.auMessages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and
do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives
– registration and login required.Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a
new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.auTo send a message to the list administrator send an email to
aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’
(without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.auand is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914.
If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact
the sender and delete the email.Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.
Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.
Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.
You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
Hi Cathi,
I am not aware of any changes/incorporations since 2013. Would be glad to
hear of any if there were.Kind regards, Terry
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph (NZ): +64 7 855 3212
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
[image: Twitter_logo_blue]: @terrygrimmond
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the
individual or entity named above and may contain information that is
confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are
reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email or
attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please
notify me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original
message. Thank you.”*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU] *On
Behalf Of *Montague, Cathi (Health)
*Sent:* Monday, September 05, 2016 6:39 PM
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Re: Height of wall mounted sharps containers [SECUNCLASSIFIED]Dear AICAList colleagues,
Just wanting to check if there have been any further changes / better
adoption into the AHFGuidelines post the below 2013 advice regarding height
and fixing of wall mounted sharps containers.*With regards,*
*Cathi*
*Cathi Montague RN (Midwife) ENB998 MClinNsg FCENA*
*Nurse Management Facilitator Clinical Care Systems (Mon Thurs)*
Primary Health Care and SA Prison Health Service Specialties
Central Adelaide Local Health Network | SA Health
1st Floor, 5 Darley Road, Paradise SA 5075 | PO Box 101, Campbelltown SA
5074 | DX191*We would like to acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the
traditional lands for Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual
relationship with their country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as
the custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage
beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.**This email may contain confidential information, which also may be legally
privileged. Only the intended recipient(s) may access , use, distribute or
copy this email. If this email is received in error, please inform the
sender by return email and delete the original. If there are doubts about
the validity of this message, please contact the sender by telephone. It is
the recipient’s responsibility to check the email and any attached files
for viruses.*P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
] *On Behalf Of *Long, Kylie FLTLT
*Sent:* Wednesday, 14 August 2013 11:17 AM
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Re: Height of wall mounted sharps containers [SECUNCLASSIFIED]*UNCLASSIFIED*
Good Morning,
I would just like to thank all those that responded to my
request, definitely great replies which have saved me a lot of time and
effort in researching.Very much appreciated!!
Regards,
Kylie Long
Flight Lieutenant
Infection Prevention and Control
Clinical Governance & Projects
Garrison Health Operations Branch
Joint Health Command
Department of Defence
——————————
*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
] *On Behalf Of *Terry Grimmond
*Sent:* Wednesday, 14 August 2013 09:00
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Re: Height of wall mounted sharps containersHi all,
Not sure if my first email (below) was distributed but would like to
comment on the great replies coming inAlthough Australia has no *regulations* on sharps container (SC)
heights, there are national guidelines (AHFG; HB260-2003) and these are
picked up in some state recommendations.I strongly advise against using the NIOSH 1998 Evaluation,
Selection and Use of SC its 52-56 recommendation is based on USA white
1970s population and is dangerously high.Close scrutiny of individual rooms in the AHFG guide show heights
are inconsistent and range from 800mm-1300mm but.the 900mm is (correctly)
for trolleys and 1100mm (correctly) for walls. 1300mm for resusc wall is
too high.The height should accommodate your shortest staff (or at least
95% of them) and given nurse shortages (forgive the pun), immigrant nurses
from Asian countries are commonly 10cm shorter than Caucasian Australian
nurses.I recommend 70% of shoed 5th percentile height and this means
aperture height for shoed 5th percentile Australian females is 1091mm; and
for Vietnamese or Filipino nurses is 1015mm.So, given ethnic mix among Australian females, an *aperture height 1.1 –
1.2m above floor* appears reasonable.Best regards, Terry
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the
individual or entity named above and may contain information that is
confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are
reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email or
attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please
notify me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original
message. Thank you.”*From:* Terry Grimmond
*Sent:* Tuesday, August 13, 2013 2:39 PM
*To:* ‘ACIPC Infexion Connexion’
*Subject:* RE: Height of wall mounted sharps containers [SECUNCLASSIFIED]Dear Kylie,
There are no national or state *regulations* stipulating Sharps Container
(SC) height in Australia (nor elsewhere that I know of) but there are
*guidelines*. At outset we should agree that it is height of SC *aperture*
in Q. Here are my findings on the matterThe correct height for SC is one at which* staff can safely view down in to
the aperture to ensure it is clear and to facilitate safe deposit of sharps
and correct activation of tray/door (if present). *The Australasian Health infrastructure Alliance shows the aperture of the
wall-mounted SC to be approximately 1.3m off the floor in Acute Patient
Bays (http://www.healthfacilityguidelines.com.au/standard_components_lz.aspx
), however heights above 1.2m are associated with increased sharps injuries
(SI) to HCW (Weltman et al ICHE 1995;16:268-274).My research indicates that a safe, wall-mounted aperture height is *1.1m
1.2m above floor level*. Epidemiological evidence confirms that *staff risk*
far exceeds *child injury risk* and at this height I have yet to see a
child SI cited.Historically, SC were placed at *ergonomic height for staff to safely use*
there was no recommended height from floor. However, the fear of child
access caused SC to be raised to non-ergonomic heights to the point where
numerous SI to HCW have been reported because they could not see that:a tray/door had activated correctly
the aperture was clear
the SC was not overfilled;
a sharp was not retained in the vestibule (throat) of a tray/door
SC;or that a sharp was protruding from the aperture
NB. Karen Daley the President of American Nurses Association said she acquired
HIV and HCV through an SI because *the SC was mounted too high*.I have written to CDCs NIOSH to inform them their 1998 guideline on
Evaluation, Selection and Use of SC (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-111/
) needs updating as they recommend a height of 52-56 inches (1.32
1.42m). They will discuss this at the next, yet to be scheduled review.SC height is compounded in countries with short-stature staff and also
compounded in developed countries where nurse shortages have been filled
with staff emigrating from Asia, Phillipines, Mexico, etc – all
short-stature countries.Finally, sharps containers need be mounted to accommodate an institutions
*shortest* staff, not their *average* staff.I hope this is helpful to you.
Terry Grimmond FASM, BAgrSc, GrDpAdEd
Consultant Microbiologist
Grimmond and Associates
Ph/Fx (NZ): +64 7 856 4042
Mob (NZ): +64 274 365 140
“This email (including any attachments) is intended only for the use of the
individual or entity named above and may contain information that is
confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are
reminded that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email or
attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please
notify me immediately by return email or telephone and destroy the original
message. Thank you.”*From:* ACIPC Infexion Connexion [mailto:AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
] *On Behalf Of *Long, Kylie FLTLT
*Sent:* Tuesday, August 13, 2013 12:25 PM
*To:* AICALIST@AICALIST.ORG.AU
*Subject:* Height of wall mounted sharps containers [SECUNCLASSIFIED]*UNCLASSIFIED*
Good Afternoon,
I was wondering where it is actually written that wall mounted sharps
containers should be below eye level and minimum height 1.1m so as out of
reach of young children, can anyone advise?Much appreciated.
Regards,
Kylie Long
Flight Lieutenant
Infection Prevention and Control
Clinical Governance & Projects
Garrison Health Operations Branch
Joint Health Command
Department of Defence
*IMPORTANT*: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence
and is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914. If
you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the
sender and delete the email.Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do
not represent the opinion of ACIPC.Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives –
registration and login required.Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new
message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.auTo send a message to the list administrator send an email to
aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without
the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.auMessages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do
not represent the opinion of ACIPC.Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives –
registration and login required.Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new
message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.auTo send a message to the list administrator send an email to
aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without
the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au*IMPORTANT*: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence
and is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914. If
you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the
sender and delete the email.Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do
not represent the opinion of ACIPC.Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives –
registration and login required.Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new
message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.auTo send a message to the list administrator send an email to
aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without
the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.auMESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO
NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is
discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products
or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives –
registration and login required.Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new
message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.auTo send a message to the list administrator send an email to
aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without
the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.auMESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.
The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.
Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.
Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
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