During which stages should sharps containers prevent leakage?

Sharps containers are critical for safely disposing of items like needles, blades, and other sharp instruments that pose a risk of injury and infection. The key reason for selecting the option that includes all stages—Handling, Processing, Storage, Transport, and Shipping—is that these containers must maintain their integrity at every point in the waste management process to prevent any leakage or exposure to hazardous materials.

During handling, staff may be inserting or removing items from the container, and it's essential that the container is designed to prevent any spills. During processing, the containers must remain secure to stop any contamination or accidents. Storage of sharps containers requires that they remain leak-proof for safety until they can be disposed of properly. When transporting, the sharps containers are moved from one location to another, which requires additional measures to ensure they do not leak. Finally, during shipping, robust containers are necessary to protect against any mishaps that could occur in transit.

This multi-faceted approach ensures that safe practices are upheld throughout the entire lifecycle of the sharps, ultimately protecting personnel and the environment from potential hazards associated with sharp waste.