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I'm annoyed at another diabetic

R

Rach79

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Basically he informed me that he dumps his needles in the bin at work or home and doesn't use a sharps bin. I think it's really irresponsible, and told him but he didn't listen. Is there anything I can do? Also can I ask does anyone else do this or not?
 
Hi Rach,

Unfortunately there are some people in this world who have an attitude of caring and respect for others, and there are some people who are simply self-centred ar**holes. No guesses as to which category this guy falls into. You can talk all you want to people like that but in my experience they won't listen. You just carry on doing what you know is right.

If you really want to get nasty then inform his employers and his local council of what he does and how his irresponsible actions are endangering the health, and potentially the lives, of others.
 
Well this is it. He probably is risking the health and possibly life of others. I might ring up the cleaners and warn them because even if he didn't damage the health of someone else, it's the phychological stress and worry of possible implications if someone were to get stabbed by a needle. They might worry themselves sick whilst waiting for a result of a test for say Hepatitis, HIV etc. Also a colleague did notice and informed my employer but he hasn't done anything about it. I've also been informed he doesn't wash his hands after the toilet so nobody at work touches the food he's helped himself to and wipes the desks after work because of the germs although this could be forgiven, the needle thing has just wound me up really :evil:
 
hya rach,
it is annoying, i put all my needles in my sharps bin,
silly man :?
 
Several expletives spring to mind, but I'm too polite!

Doesn't "duty of care" work both ways? There must be something HR can throw at him in terms of our good friend "Health & Safety"?

Grrr :evil:
 
I don't know. The thing is nobody can really control it, he can say he's stopped doing it but nobody really knows. I live on the Isle of Man, which is a small Island but I might just have to warn the following:-

All the commissioners on the Island
The Douglas town hall
Bin men
Cleaners of my workplace

He doesn't have his diabetic clinic here so I can't really tell them.

Rachael
 
Health & Safety is everyones responsibility. I'm sure loads of people do this kind of thing :? :(

However, I'd tell someone senior, preferably a someone with the H&S brief that I'd found needles in a bin, not necessarily mentioning any names, but most probably mentioning their liability for an injury. I'd also do the telling in a way that there was some written evidence that I'd told someone. If I were unionised, I'd also make sure that my union picked it up too.

Large employers tend to take these things more seriously than small employers.
 
My Diabetic Nurse has told be to use the needle cutter, replace the cap on the needle holder and dispose of normally. No need for sharps bin.
 
Hi Rach, i've had the same thing where i work as well. One of my work colleagues does exactly the same thing and just throws her needles in the bin despite myself going to the trouble of getting a 5l sharps bin brought in. I've discussed it with her and told her that if she didn't start using the bin i would report her. Unfortunately she didn't heed my warning so the inevitable happened and after her being spoken to by the head teacher and the school nurse she now refuses to speak to me which is fine because i'm now just happy that i've hopefully saved someone from a nasty and potential worrying injury.

Hazey !!!!!!
 
gbtyke said:
My Diabetic Nurse has told be to use the needle cutter, replace the cap on the needle holder and dispose of normally. No need for sharps bin.
Click to expand...

That's weird I've never heard of a needle cutter. Actually I always used to keep them in plastic bottles and hand them to the chemist until my friend recently told me I could obtain a sharps bin on prescription. I was annoyed the diabetic clinic didn't tell me actually but then they didn't tell me when there was those faulty batch of needles that entered the UK market either. Bearing in mind I could have been injecting myself with alsorts and there are only a few Type 1's on the Island they could have sent a standard letter to warn me :evil: :evil:
 
hazey276 said:
Hi Rach, i've had the same thing where i work as well. One of my work colleagues does exactly the same thing and just throws her needles in the bin despite myself going to the trouble of getting a 5l sharps bin brought in. I've discussed it with her and told her that if she didn't start using the bin i would report her. Unfortunately she didn't heed my warning so the inevitable happened and after her being spoken to by the head teacher and the school nurse she now refuses to speak to me which is fine because i'm now just happy that i've hopefully saved someone from a nasty and potential worrying injury.

Hazey !!!!!!
Click to expand...

These people won't listen, there's either a responsible diabetic who considers others or one who isn't responsible and doesn't care about others but themselves. I guess your colleague and mine only cares about themselves. I am glad we are all responsible on here though and helpful. I just feel sorry for the cleaners and bin men having to risk getting stabbed by a used needle - albeit unknowingly. Also yes my firm is small so that is possibly why nothing was done in that respect :!:
 
I put my insulin pump needles in the bin. You can put the cover back on so it's not exposed. Always have, is this not a good idea then?
 
Candi-girl, I'm sure you are disposing of them adequately-you have obvously thought about it and are being responsible- and I'm sure disposal is incorporated into the design.
This thread has really got my back up; perhaps there's a prize for 'Best Goody Goody Needle Disposer' awarded by Diabetes UK that I haven't heard of?
I've always used syringes and vials. With the Becton/Dickinson brand of syringes it is possible to break the end off and dispose of it safely, leaving the needle completely encased;worked that one out years ago- without the need for a sharps bin! Never had one in 20 years. Perhaps we should all go back to good old fashioned vials and syringes, clearly disposing of pen needles, and the use of so many PLASTIC sharps bins can't be good for the environment :lol: I wonder what category Dennis would put environmental polluters in??
I can't believe the previous posters haven't got any serious issues related to diabetes to talk about apart form how other people dispose of their needles.
I suspect the annoying and apparently irresponsible diabetic is enjoying winding someone up-have you actually seen him dispose of the needles??
I tend to have to wade through dog muck and spit daily-NOT needles! :?
Jus
 
Perhaps the previous posters need to take a look at this fact sheet. If I worked at a waste recycling plant I would be horrified at the comments made here.

FACT SHEET
Disposal of Needles, Syringes, Other Sharps and Broken Glass

The term “sharps” refers to needles, syringes, scalpel blades, lancets, disposable medical instruments, broken glass and similar devices or materials with the potential to cut or puncture an individual as they are sent through the waste stream.

Needles, Syringes and Other Sharps

Used needles, syringes and other sharps must be placed into rigid, red plastic sharps containers. Needles should not be removed from syringes. Do not cut, bend or recap needles. This policy applies to ALL needles and syringes, whether (a) used or unused, (b) used together or separately, (c) used with blood or (d) used for any other purpose. Approved sharps containers may be obtained from UK Stores (stock number 6515-5265). When the container is full, secure the lid. (Don’t overfill containers and risk getting stuck!) Containers must be disposed of as medical waste—whether contaminated or not—and never placed in the regular trash. Contact Environmental Management if you need assistance disposing of medical waste in your area.

Throwing in a bin should not be an option.
 
Give me strength-I'm off to bed :cry:
 
Having been the victim of several needlestick injuries from carelessly disposed of needles, then having to wait for the tests to come back positive or negative I certainly do not agree with the sentiments posted re disposal in normal waste!!!If you do not have sharps containers then at least put them in rigid plastic containers.
 
As has been said, there are responsible and irresponsible users of needles.
We have heard from both today.
 
janabelle said:
Give me strength-I'm off to bed :cry:
Click to expand...



When you get up you should read these posts......and then get your act together instead of sticking your head in the sand. Do you only care about yourself ?

D
 
just want to clarify my needles, lancets etc go inside a big plastic container which once held protein poweder (my bf's stuff) then i screw the lid on when it's full and seal it with gaffer tape. i just can't find the pump infusion set needle case in it. where can i get a sharps bin from? no ones ever told me i could have one in 8 years :lol:
 
Your local Council should have a section for Clinical Waste Disposal (Domestic as well as Trade). There MAY be a small charge. Give them a ring and they should be able to deliver and collect from you.

Here in Sutton Coldfield I just make a phone call and it is usually collected a day or so later, a replacement is left for me.

It sounds like your method of disposal is better than others but it really should not go into domestic waste for the reasons stated. All Clinical waste is incinerated to avoid any contamination.

Ken.
 
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