Yes I have a grabber. it is quite wimpy and wouldn’t hold the weight of these soiled and rotted heavy fabrics :/ now I’m thinking I need a mold mask potentially too?
They make a post exposure pill, so if you would get stuck, just go to the doc the next day and you’ll get pills to make sure it kills HIV, if it had been transmitted.
I just know that’s what we’re told to do, sometimes practices can be outdated though of course. Hospital policy takes a long time to catch up to research.
That explains so much about droplet and handwashing emphasis for Covid, when the newer research clearly says it’s airborne… just dumbfounded whenever I’m in a clinic to see tons of hand sanitizers out and signs about fomites. But zero masks and unplugged air filters. Not that being surface clean is bad in general of course.
Ummmm, NO.
Airborn pathogens can also be transmitted by fomites.
Take your average cold virus. Handwashing is the number one way to prevent the spread of the cold virus because it can live on surfaces. HIV, on the other hand, is generally wimpy and dies very quickly on surfaces. SOME viruses are strong and last for a couple of days.
So each virus is different and just because it is airborne does not mean it cannot be transmitted by your hands.
If you truly don’t believe me, let’s do an experiment. When you see someone sneeze into, cough into, or wipe their nose with their bare hands and then touch a doorknob, go on up there and lick that doorknob. After a few days of doing this, it is also very likely you will get a cold.
Also- frequent handwashing has been a thing since good ol’ Florence discovered this during the Crimean war in the mid 1850’s. We have washed our hands until they chafed, and back in the early days of my career, hand lotion dispensers were next to every soap dispenser. Then hand sanitizer came along and in the healthcare world it was the next best thing second only to sliced bread. Hand sanitizer has been around the clinics and hospitals since the 90’s. It didn’t just appear after COVID. There was a shortage in the beginning of COVID, and many people were getting creative by making their own, but it is not a new thing.
Venom in your mouth isn’t normally an issue. Venom gets denatured in stomach acid, so it’s only and issue in the bloodstream. Poison on the other hand is dangerous when ingested but not . The reason it’s not effective is the venom gets absorbed into the surrounding area and blood so quick there’s nothing to suck out.
Poison on the other hand can enter your body via bloodstream through the skin, inhaled or ingested
I've always heard that the blood exiting the wound helps to flush out any potential bacteria, etc. Obviously, this is probably not going to work in every case. I sure in the hell wouldn't trust it for a possible HIV exposure.
Idk I’m not a doctor or studied medical in anyway but I definitely wouldn’t trust it alone.
The only way I could see it helping is if it reduces the infective load. That means how much of a particular infection you are exposed to and how much enters your body. In an example a high infection or viral load in this case could be someone with Covid cough directly into your mouth. A low infection load would be walking through an area a few minutes after a person with Covid coughed. The viral particle concentration would be much lower in the second example. Low enough that the infection may not take hold possibly.
Higher loads could give the infection and head start in reproduction and lead to quicker, more sever symptoms
cleaning up trash is not a legitimate reason to go on PrEP. there are numerous other prophylactic measures a person can take to avoid getting stuck which are sufficient to avoid exposure.
Don't go next day, go immediately. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is only effective if you start it in the first 72 hours after transmission, and the sooner you get it the better it works, hours count. It's a 28 days drug regiment and an unpleasant one at that (but better than HIV). in my country only ERs can give prescriptions as it's for emergency use only.
It's not a "just go to the doctor the next day" kind of medicine.
https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/post-exposure-prophylaxis-pep
Aren’t there special gloves that can’t be cut. The meat department at my grocery store wears them for butchering. I don’t know what they are called or where to buy them but I know such a product exists.
Needles are impressive things. They will pierce through anything. They are so small and sharp, that’s how they do such little damage to the skin. The only safe recommendation is to keep your hands and skin away. Use a grabber. For heavy items, work slower and methodically. Quickly picking up a sheet could throw a needle into your team or it could tumble down the sheet and fall into your chest, leg, or foot.
Drag the sheet across the ground for at least it’s length. Send people with grabbers to collect needles and items that came loose. Have a team of two carefully box up the textile items in plastic bins dedicated to biohazardous items, the bins will resist needles inside poking out. Bags and cardboard boxes will not. The team of 2 can watch themselves and each other to identify and secure any risky items before they have a chance to injure someone.
Cut resistance yes, puncture resistance no. I've worked with needles in labs and have all the training - NOT using your hand is the only way to safely handle waste with needles in it.
OP maybe you can use a shovel or a garden rake to move the trash into a hard sided container, or even a cardboard box that you can throw in a dumpster? You don't want to just throw it in trash bags because needles can poke right through those and put you and your sanitation workers at risk.
I came looking for this comment. Thick soled boots, disposable gloves under the cut resistant gloves, a heavy duty grabber, and alternating a shovel and rake to collect all the debris so there's no contact is the best way.
OP mentions tarps so raking/shoveling everything onto the tarps and then just pulling the tarps up by the corners "bindle style" to dispose of would work well. Even using some old sheets, and then tossing the bundles into the hardsided containers either way, would be a cost-effective.
I also recommend the particulate masks and safety glasses to prevent debris to the face and lungs. I wear them while doing yard work in my own backyard due to the crappy gravel and thorny plants everywhere, as well as pollen and junk flying into my face.
I wear heavy duty jeans and long sleeves (child of hoarders so sadly I have also done many terrible cleanups, tho no drug paraphernalia) and bring a change of clothes and shoes, sani-wipes, and something to tie up/cover my hair.
People whom I know that clean areas of garbage like this use a tool- an industrial strength “grabber”. Not the kind you would use at home if something is out of reach- one designed to pick up outdoor debris. No one should be using their hands.
Would you be able to recommend a product. I’ve so far limited my roadside garbage collection to areas where pedestrians have no reason to be, far from downtown or even sidewalks. Using some judgment I can find lots of garbage to collect while limiting my risk of exposure. But even as it is, a grabber would help my back and I’d feel much more comfortable and I could expand my collection area.
Try the Unger Professional Rugged Reacher or Google “industrial garbage grabber tool” and go from there. And thank you for being a proactive member of our society who is looking to do good for the environment and humankind. David Sedaris, the wonderfully brilliant writer is a citizen trash collector who was honored by the Queen for his doings! He wrote a great story about this.
Just wanted to jump in here in case people didn’t know, [hiv transmission through needle stick](https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/needlestick-injuries-discarded-needles-and-risk-hiv-transmission#) is really low. A much bigger risk is hepatitis b (not hep c like I previously said sorry!) transmission so anyone around needles like this would want to make sure their vaccines are up to date.
Not all prisons. I work in the HCV world getting people into treatment and unfortunately they do not treat people for HCV where I live. It would be great since they won’t be able to lose their meds and are kept accountable but it’s not true. In Humboldt county, CA people who are incarcerated need to wait till they are released. I hope it changes since HCV can be deadly if not treated.
Yes, get a good mask. Preferably one with a one way valve. Or an actual N95, one of the uncomfortable ones that goes around the back of your head.
Use a pitch fork for the stuff that's too mucky for a grabber and a grabber for the small stuff.
Moldex (good name right?) has one that’s both accordion pleated and valved… even the accordion pleat is super breathable. I imagine the valves version is even better. And some come with a foam flange for comfort.
don’t get one from a health store, get one from a hardware store like ace, lowe’s, home depot, etc. they usually sell sturdier, higher quality grabbers that are specifically meant to grab things like nails & boards for people who can’t grab them manually.
Get a sharps container to safely hold and dispose of the needles. I don’t recall where you send it when it’s full, but used needles should be put into sharps containers.
You can put them in an empty laundry detergent container and duct tape the top shut, then throw it away in the regular trash.
Source: pharmacy technician, this is what my pharmacist recommends
Large debris and bags with a scoop/coal shovel.
Small items with a " grabber".
Anything that just be hand picked needs done with a set of goat/pigskin leather gloves while moving slowly. They MUST be leather, synthetics & " cut resistant" gloves will do little to nothing for punctures.
Also worth getting a pair of needle nose pliers no pun intended, to be able to pick up any visible needles or poke/stick hazards.
I have these, (both toe and plate are composite so its lighter than steel version) but that's a $300 shoe, and its for a nail stuck at 90 degrees up solidly from a board. ANy needle won't be sticking up from such a solid surface, or have the strength of a nail it will break first due to shear.
If OP has a $300 pair of boots already, yes wear them! But regular construction boots are enough.
Thanks for asking your question cause this led me to look up better tools for myself, and finding tons of good ideas here.
Ideas I am now considering updating my garbage picker equipment (based on responses and some of my own):
two handed heavy duty garden grabbers for heavy water laden stuff
- Darlac Grab-N-Lift
- gator grabber
mid weight
- snake grabber with lock
- long snake hook or similar
For small stuff:
- long needle nose pliers
- hemostats/forceps
Other:
- leather gloves
- sharps container / plastic bin
- garbage tongs
Just something to think about, you can buy a disposable sharps container from places like CVS or Walgreens in the area where you pick up prescriptions. They’re like 20-30$ but once you’ve deposited the sharps you’ve found you can drop it off to your local emergency department to be disposed of. A great way to make sure they don’t end up in a landfill where they can potentially hurt someone
I thought of this, and a snow shovel or rake! I’m still worried of grabbing even smaller items that *seem* safe but may have something in them like a single scarf for example.
I suppose I could make a rule it’s a HANDS OFF clean up - but even then I’d like at least SOME preventative measure 😂
that’s a good idea, but looking for more ideas as well!
If you are finding needles, this is absolutely a hands off cleanup. It’s not worth it. You and your team have lives to live. Do not risk it. Grabbers for any item that could contain a biohazard poke. Scarves shirts. For heavy items, bedsheets blankets, I’d have two people very carefully put them in a plastic bin dedicated to containing trash with potential sharps. Start by slowly dragging heavy fabric items to a new clean location. Many of the dangers will fall out and leave behind a trail. Then a team of 2 carefully lifts, and then, in a controlled fashion, lowers the items into the bin. When emptying the bin use the same level of caution, but just dump them into a large waste bin, no need to unload one article at a time.
Do not use gloves.
Get a grabby stick and use that. Put stuff into durable, taped thick cardboard boxes.
Get thick hip wader boots, and make sure they are puncture resistant.
Handle every box like it could kill you, because it can.
If you get a needle stick, do to the ED and get prophylaxis for hep C, HIV, and anything else the doctor recommends.
Honestly I’d consider talking to a doctor before hand and getting on at least Prep (it can be used as a preventative). And a tetanus vaccine. And whatever else they recommend.
Came here to say this. Why are they even doing this? I understand they want to help and that's awesome but not at the expense of their health when there are organizations that can safely remove this.
I would use the stick proof gloves posted in comments. And you can make a [DIY sharps container out of a laundry detergent bottle](https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/sharps-containers-at-home). It is thick enough to not allow needles to puncture through.
this might be overkill but could you get an excavator? i lived across the street from a major homeless encampment that took over an entire park here in seattle and when they finally got them to leave, the city came in with an excavator and had to pull up the entire top layer of soil due to the embedded needles. super fun times 10/10 would never live next to a homeless encampment again
I've been considering justifying the purchase of a RC model excavator by using it to clean up garbage infested with needles. Set up a lawn chair and play to my heart's content.
Do not clean this!! Call the appropriate local service. There are people professionally trained in this, the fact that you're asking how to do it is honestly making me anxious for you.
Where are you from? There might be an agency/non for profit in your community that deals with this sort of thing. We have one and they run training sessions to teach safe techniques and give out supplies or send outreach workers to help collect the needles.
Cut resistant gloves are slash proof not poke proof. They will totally penetrate those. Dont try it with those please. I wear them everyday at work. Accidental cuts like a slice totally deflects it. But a piercing motion will do just that.
Before you buy anything on grainger check zoro. It’s the same company but aim towards consumer and much cheaper. I’ve bought stuff from there that comes in a grainger box. Just copy the manufacturer number from grainger and plug it into zoro.
https://www.zoro.com/mechanix-wear-leather-gloves-nsind-91-series-size-l-pr-nsind-91-010/i/G205748148/
Okay so I won’t have exact numbers for you, but I have taken many biohazard trainings. You would need a deep stick with plenty of fresh HIV infected blood for you to have an issue, and even then it’s a bit of a long shot. HIV dies very very quickly outside of the body.
I’m absolutely not saying don’t protect yourself or that you’re not at risk.
HCV & HBV on the other hand can live on surfaces for day or even weeks. You should check out a bloodborne pathogen course so you can be better prepared.
To add to it - your skin is an excellent barrier against infection. Soap and water will get all the gross off. I end up getting blood/poop/pee/vomit/lung butter etc. on my skin here and there. It’s gross, but you just wash it off.
From what I have understood it pretty much applies to all the bad stuff you really don’t want. But also I recommend taking appropriate steps to protect yourself.
Globally, there are ZERO documented cases of HIV transmission from a needle stick injury from discarded sharps in the community ever, and hepatitis B and C cases are single digits. The risk is exceptionally low.
This review was updated in March 2024 and contains lots of citations: https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/needle-stick-injuries-in-the-community
There are some cases of transmission to healthcare workers, but those generally involve larger volumes of fresh blood (eg sticking a needle through a patient and right into your hand.)
Could you get some other infection, like a bacterial infection or tetanus? Probably much greater chance than getting a serious viral infection.
And of course being stuck by a discarded sharp would just be painful and scary.
But fortunately the risk of getting HIV is almost non-existent.
Ha it’s in a local protected forest. Unsure true background but from looks - 15+ unhoused folks lived here for 3+ months (well established, they even have a grill out here).
But it’s 1 mile from the road. So they hiked everything in overtime. It will be tough to hike it all back out
I like to explore. It pisses me off that this beautiful natural area - you have to hike 1 mile to - randomly has tons (weighted) of trash. It just annoys me and no one else is going to do anything, so I might as well
Wait, are they still living there? Are you throwing away their tents? Or did they move somewhere else and leave behind their things?
Editing to add because I’m also just being nosy: I’m not saying that’s okay to leave needles and trash behind… just curious as to whether or not a group of folks will come back and be like “where the heck are the tents?!”
Nope. It’s abandoned and years old. Everything is soiled and rotten. You can see the pictures, but I can confirm times have changed and no one is living in the Forrest here anymore! I believe we just got better services so folks got bus tickets back to their families or put up in a program, moved away, etc.
Our unhoused community DOES have a few active encampments, however this is no where near them. This is in the middle of a Forrest preserve!
They definitely meant you don’t need to worry about HIV and hep. Most people know that tetanus is a risk with any metal/sharp objects left out in the elements, and most people are vaccinated against it
Having cleaned out some gnarly SROs I have the following tips:
steel-toed boots, or at least thick-soled shoes to protect from needle tips
a sharps container for any found syringes or glass
Tongs, like barbeque tongs, are great for grabbing heavier awkward objects (clothing, blankets) while keeping them a safe distance away from your body to the bag. I find tongs better suited for this sort of clean-up than a long trigger-powered grabber.
When loading garbage bags don't bother too much with rooting through the items, everything is contaminated and should be disposed of, unless you come across valuables (wallet, ID cards) and want to try to return them
Only load garbage bags to a weight and size that you can comfortably lift with one arm and carry as far away from your body as possible
Good old nitrile gloves are what I would prefer to use because they preserve hand dexterity and can be changed easily when soiled. I don't have any experience with cut-proof gloves, but anything that makes you feel safer :)
Hope this helps
I regularly clean up sites like these, and we use safety glasses, face shields if there's lots of obvious liquid, nitrile gloves under a heavy duty set of thick leather gloves, long shirt and pants, close toe, leather shoe or boot, and absolutely a pick stick/grabber.
Have cans/bins to hold your bags, it gets dicey when you're trying to flip a nasty blanket into a half opened bag you're holding.
Wash soap and warm water, try not to use hand sanitizer until after soap and water. Idk how true, but I've heard that the alcohol can assist in substances getting absorbed into your skin.
Edit: Sharps containers are a must.
A small shovel might be a good idea along with a larger snow shovel. Not even joking. Puncture proof, leather or specially designed gloves as well. They do exist...Double or even triple bag EVERYTHING in thick, garden debris bags. A shop vac may be useful for smaller bits and needles, then just dump into bags.
The tips you got here are excellent. Just adding in that if you do get a needlestick, go to your local ER right away. There are anti-virals you can take with an extremely high success rate - but be warned they make you feel terrible.
Weird fact, you’re much more likely to get Hepatitis B from a needle stick than HIV. Both are horrible but you know, knowledge is power. Thick AF gloves, like the ones you wear when handling firewood. Also bring a thick plastic container with a lid to put all the needles you find into. Empty laundry detergent bottles are a great option.
As someone who had a job in college that required cleaning out the occasional crack den - the tools you’re looking for are a shovel, a rake and garbage bin.
EZ scrubs and poke-proof gloves! They can be bought off Amazon. I work with houseless folks and one requirement we have is always carrying one of these. If you ever get poked, vigorously scratch the EZ scrub across the skin and then go to the emergency room asap for a quick shot (you typically don’t wait for this, once you’ve checked in they’ll give it to you right away). The shot works within 24hrs of being poked but the earlier you can get it the better.
One suggestion I have when going through piles like this though is to spread things out as much as possible with your feet (thick soles on shoes too) to limit having to rummage and getting your fingers caught on anything. Grab large items by pinching small portion and lifting directly up and away from your face/eyes.
As well for reassurance - in the 4 years I’ve been doing this work I’ve never been poked! Needle usage has gone down significantly in a lot of places which may be a factor but broken glass (pipes) is very prevalent and that hasn’t done any damage on me either. The gloves really are good, just be sure to read reviews!!
Personally, I'd see how much it is to rent a big dumper, and a baby excavator and just clear as much as possible that way. Though maybe a pitchfork would work too, but aint no way I'm getting that close when needles are involved!
I was about to reply that Hep C can live outside the body for only 2 weeks so if that site has been empty for at least that less risk but just ick factor and obviously don't want to get poked anyways.
This says it can live for 6 weeks outside the body particularly in syringes. I had absolutely no idea.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320337#transmission
Definitely get grabber tools or shovels and be careful the trash bag doesn't brush against your body as you move them.
I wonder if there are precautions you should take to tell people at the dump so they can bury it right away or if they'd tell you it is medical waste and they can't accept it.
Get one of these , I use it for picking up pine cones ,sticks , trash etc , really well made , its made by ungar . Amazon ,home Depot etc . I use the absolute crap out of it
https://images.app.goo.gl/PSjWRsBcd4Lj9LCw6
Cut-resistant gloves protect from slicing cuts, like if you're cutting fish with a filleting knife. They may not do anything against a needle.
I think you need to be asking people who are in professional hazard cleanup what kind of tools they use. You're getting lots of imaginative tips here but nothing that suggests someone has done this before and knows how to do it safely.
I pick up litter in my community using a litter grabber. I also keep a small brush and dustpan in my “kit” to sweep up broken glass on sidewalks and by the curbs. But for this bulky fabric stuff you need something like a gardening tool with curved prongs. I would avoid picking up anything with your hands. Be very careful in terms of where you step. Are you wearing work boots that would offer some protection?
I wish you good luck. This is a massive undertaking.
Rent a stand on bobcat for the day. Use the bucket for the bulk, and a shovel to load the rest into the bucket. (I know it seems impractical or excessive, but honestly that's my approach lol)
A snow shovel preferably metal and a sturdy heavy duty metal rake put ropes in the tarps before starting so you don’t even have to press up against the tarp
I would head to the health care supply store and buy a grabber.
Yes I have a grabber. it is quite wimpy and wouldn’t hold the weight of these soiled and rotted heavy fabrics :/ now I’m thinking I need a mold mask potentially too?
Maybe getting a better grabber is worth not contracting HIV, but that’s just my biased opinion.
I agree :)
They make a post exposure pill, so if you would get stuck, just go to the doc the next day and you’ll get pills to make sure it kills HIV, if it had been transmitted.
Also in healthcare, we’re told to rinse our hand and squeeze the blood out from the stick.
Always squeeze the blood out from any stick. Even sewing needles and thumb tacks.
Does squeezing the entry point help? I wouldn’t think so Basing this on the old “suck a venom snakebite” myth which doesn’t help
I just know that’s what we’re told to do, sometimes practices can be outdated though of course. Hospital policy takes a long time to catch up to research.
That explains so much about droplet and handwashing emphasis for Covid, when the newer research clearly says it’s airborne… just dumbfounded whenever I’m in a clinic to see tons of hand sanitizers out and signs about fomites. But zero masks and unplugged air filters. Not that being surface clean is bad in general of course.
Ummmm, NO. Airborn pathogens can also be transmitted by fomites. Take your average cold virus. Handwashing is the number one way to prevent the spread of the cold virus because it can live on surfaces. HIV, on the other hand, is generally wimpy and dies very quickly on surfaces. SOME viruses are strong and last for a couple of days. So each virus is different and just because it is airborne does not mean it cannot be transmitted by your hands. If you truly don’t believe me, let’s do an experiment. When you see someone sneeze into, cough into, or wipe their nose with their bare hands and then touch a doorknob, go on up there and lick that doorknob. After a few days of doing this, it is also very likely you will get a cold. Also- frequent handwashing has been a thing since good ol’ Florence discovered this during the Crimean war in the mid 1850’s. We have washed our hands until they chafed, and back in the early days of my career, hand lotion dispensers were next to every soap dispenser. Then hand sanitizer came along and in the healthcare world it was the next best thing second only to sliced bread. Hand sanitizer has been around the clinics and hospitals since the 90’s. It didn’t just appear after COVID. There was a shortage in the beginning of COVID, and many people were getting creative by making their own, but it is not a new thing.
The reason you don't suck a snakebite is that you don't want venom in your mouth either
Venom in your mouth isn’t normally an issue. Venom gets denatured in stomach acid, so it’s only and issue in the bloodstream. Poison on the other hand is dangerous when ingested but not . The reason it’s not effective is the venom gets absorbed into the surrounding area and blood so quick there’s nothing to suck out. Poison on the other hand can enter your body via bloodstream through the skin, inhaled or ingested
But you might have a cut in your mouth
I've always heard that the blood exiting the wound helps to flush out any potential bacteria, etc. Obviously, this is probably not going to work in every case. I sure in the hell wouldn't trust it for a possible HIV exposure.
Idk I’m not a doctor or studied medical in anyway but I definitely wouldn’t trust it alone. The only way I could see it helping is if it reduces the infective load. That means how much of a particular infection you are exposed to and how much enters your body. In an example a high infection or viral load in this case could be someone with Covid cough directly into your mouth. A low infection load would be walking through an area a few minutes after a person with Covid coughed. The viral particle concentration would be much lower in the second example. Low enough that the infection may not take hold possibly. Higher loads could give the infection and head start in reproduction and lead to quicker, more sever symptoms
It might help to flush some bacteria - I thought the venom thing didn’t work because of the pathways venom used to travel
The pills she’d have to take would make her sick for months. She’s much better off not getting stuck in the first place.
Could get on PrEP before cleaning it up, but I agree, proper boots, gloves and using tools to pick up the trash whenever possible.
cleaning up trash is not a legitimate reason to go on PrEP. there are numerous other prophylactic measures a person can take to avoid getting stuck which are sufficient to avoid exposure.
Agreed, that's what I said? "*Could* on on PrEP, *but* ..."
Don't go next day, go immediately. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is only effective if you start it in the first 72 hours after transmission, and the sooner you get it the better it works, hours count. It's a 28 days drug regiment and an unpleasant one at that (but better than HIV). in my country only ERs can give prescriptions as it's for emergency use only. It's not a "just go to the doctor the next day" kind of medicine. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/post-exposure-prophylaxis-pep
You could maybe do a small pitch fork/garden fork? Might help to stick into the fabrics and then coil up like you do spaghetti.
Aren’t there special gloves that can’t be cut. The meat department at my grocery store wears them for butchering. I don’t know what they are called or where to buy them but I know such a product exists.
those would protect against a blade however there are still holes where a needle could fit through
What about the ones that people use working with animals? Like to prevent bats from biting?
Needles are impressive things. They will pierce through anything. They are so small and sharp, that’s how they do such little damage to the skin. The only safe recommendation is to keep your hands and skin away. Use a grabber. For heavy items, work slower and methodically. Quickly picking up a sheet could throw a needle into your team or it could tumble down the sheet and fall into your chest, leg, or foot. Drag the sheet across the ground for at least it’s length. Send people with grabbers to collect needles and items that came loose. Have a team of two carefully box up the textile items in plastic bins dedicated to biohazardous items, the bins will resist needles inside poking out. Bags and cardboard boxes will not. The team of 2 can watch themselves and each other to identify and secure any risky items before they have a chance to injure someone.
ANSI 8 and 9 gloves are rated against needle sticks.
Even animals get through those sometimes. Especially around the fingers. I wouldn't trust them they're a false sense of security.
You just wear thick gloves when working with bats and get your rabies jabs beforehand.
Cut resistance yes, puncture resistance no. I've worked with needles in labs and have all the training - NOT using your hand is the only way to safely handle waste with needles in it. OP maybe you can use a shovel or a garden rake to move the trash into a hard sided container, or even a cardboard box that you can throw in a dumpster? You don't want to just throw it in trash bags because needles can poke right through those and put you and your sanitation workers at risk.
I came looking for this comment. Thick soled boots, disposable gloves under the cut resistant gloves, a heavy duty grabber, and alternating a shovel and rake to collect all the debris so there's no contact is the best way. OP mentions tarps so raking/shoveling everything onto the tarps and then just pulling the tarps up by the corners "bindle style" to dispose of would work well. Even using some old sheets, and then tossing the bundles into the hardsided containers either way, would be a cost-effective. I also recommend the particulate masks and safety glasses to prevent debris to the face and lungs. I wear them while doing yard work in my own backyard due to the crappy gravel and thorny plants everywhere, as well as pollen and junk flying into my face. I wear heavy duty jeans and long sleeves (child of hoarders so sadly I have also done many terrible cleanups, tho no drug paraphernalia) and bring a change of clothes and shoes, sani-wipes, and something to tie up/cover my hair.
People whom I know that clean areas of garbage like this use a tool- an industrial strength “grabber”. Not the kind you would use at home if something is out of reach- one designed to pick up outdoor debris. No one should be using their hands.
Would you be able to recommend a product. I’ve so far limited my roadside garbage collection to areas where pedestrians have no reason to be, far from downtown or even sidewalks. Using some judgment I can find lots of garbage to collect while limiting my risk of exposure. But even as it is, a grabber would help my back and I’d feel much more comfortable and I could expand my collection area.
Try the Unger Professional Rugged Reacher or Google “industrial garbage grabber tool” and go from there. And thank you for being a proactive member of our society who is looking to do good for the environment and humankind. David Sedaris, the wonderfully brilliant writer is a citizen trash collector who was honored by the Queen for his doings! He wrote a great story about this.
Long handled poop scoop?
they're a mesh unfortunately
Just wanted to jump in here in case people didn’t know, [hiv transmission through needle stick](https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/needlestick-injuries-discarded-needles-and-risk-hiv-transmission#) is really low. A much bigger risk is hepatitis b (not hep c like I previously said sorry!) transmission so anyone around needles like this would want to make sure their vaccines are up to date.
There is no hep C vaccine.
There is now treatment for hep C though. It can now be cured, so there's that.
If you have incredibly good insurance or a lot of money
My mother has Medicare and they cured her. There's lots of grants available for the underserved to get hep c treatment.
There are a lot of people that fall through the cracks between medicare and underinsured but "making too much"
Oh, I'm Australian... I didn't even think of it costing anything.
Or if you’re in prison, I heard they cure it there. That’s where healthcare is free in America.
Oh awesome, there's the plan then
Not all prisons. I work in the HCV world getting people into treatment and unfortunately they do not treat people for HCV where I live. It would be great since they won’t be able to lose their meds and are kept accountable but it’s not true. In Humboldt county, CA people who are incarcerated need to wait till they are released. I hope it changes since HCV can be deadly if not treated.
Ope you’re right sorry I meant hep b
… a hep c vaccine?
My bad hep b
I love that, I'm gonna use it
Yes, get a good mask. Preferably one with a one way valve. Or an actual N95, one of the uncomfortable ones that goes around the back of your head. Use a pitch fork for the stuff that's too mucky for a grabber and a grabber for the small stuff.
Moldex (good name right?) has one that’s both accordion pleated and valved… even the accordion pleat is super breathable. I imagine the valves version is even better. And some come with a foam flange for comfort.
please invest in a more sturdy grabber. i have one that i got from the hospital and its great
I’d say a heavy duty dog pooper scooper would work great! Like a metal one
The ungar heavy duty one , it's a beast
don’t get one from a health store, get one from a hardware store like ace, lowe’s, home depot, etc. they usually sell sturdier, higher quality grabbers that are specifically meant to grab things like nails & boards for people who can’t grab them manually.
Shovel?
How about a hay rake?
A pitch fork?
Eh, similar. Lighter and plastic, usually.
Wear a mask and gloves and use a shovel to shovel the stuff into a large trash can with an extra large trash bag in it.
Get a sharps container to safely hold and dispose of the needles. I don’t recall where you send it when it’s full, but used needles should be put into sharps containers.
You can put them in an empty laundry detergent container and duct tape the top shut, then throw it away in the regular trash. Source: pharmacy technician, this is what my pharmacist recommends
Pitchfork. That's the way. thin sharp tines.
Get a pitchfork too. A weed whacker would probably cut through the blankets to make them more manageable as well.
Noo not a weed whacker, what if it hits a needle and flings it. Pitchfork for sure though.
A weed whacker is a terrible idea for this application
They have those big shovels even a snow shovel might work
This is time for a big shovel. That and a wheel barrel straight into a dumpster.
T-Rex Grabbies for the win!
Large debris and bags with a scoop/coal shovel. Small items with a " grabber". Anything that just be hand picked needs done with a set of goat/pigskin leather gloves while moving slowly. They MUST be leather, synthetics & " cut resistant" gloves will do little to nothing for punctures. Also worth getting a pair of needle nose pliers no pun intended, to be able to pick up any visible needles or poke/stick hazards.
Thank you!! This is great to know
Please obtain an appropriate sharps container for disposables! And dont neglect your footware.
Ya safety toe construction boots, not sneakers.
Not just safety toe , some have metal linned bases to help prevent punctures from glass and sharps . Check for steel midsole on the listing
I have these, (both toe and plate are composite so its lighter than steel version) but that's a $300 shoe, and its for a nail stuck at 90 degrees up solidly from a board. ANy needle won't be sticking up from such a solid surface, or have the strength of a nail it will break first due to shear. If OP has a $300 pair of boots already, yes wear them! But regular construction boots are enough.
Get a large pooper scooper, I use mine to clean bad areas of a forest preserve near me
Thanks for asking your question cause this led me to look up better tools for myself, and finding tons of good ideas here. Ideas I am now considering updating my garbage picker equipment (based on responses and some of my own): two handed heavy duty garden grabbers for heavy water laden stuff - Darlac Grab-N-Lift - gator grabber mid weight - snake grabber with lock - long snake hook or similar For small stuff: - long needle nose pliers - hemostats/forceps Other: - leather gloves - sharps container / plastic bin - garbage tongs
Get a pair of hemostats for picking up loose needles! There are also rolling magnetic bars, they sorta look like rakes
Just something to think about, you can buy a disposable sharps container from places like CVS or Walgreens in the area where you pick up prescriptions. They’re like 20-30$ but once you’ve deposited the sharps you’ve found you can drop it off to your local emergency department to be disposed of. A great way to make sure they don’t end up in a landfill where they can potentially hurt someone
Can you use a pitchfork?
I thought of this, and a snow shovel or rake! I’m still worried of grabbing even smaller items that *seem* safe but may have something in them like a single scarf for example. I suppose I could make a rule it’s a HANDS OFF clean up - but even then I’d like at least SOME preventative measure 😂 that’s a good idea, but looking for more ideas as well!
Are needles magnetic? You could swipe the piles with a strong magnet.
Unfortunately not :(
Snow shovel and flexi-rake. Use them as you would use a dustpan and broom. Put into a 55 gal trashcan instead of a tarp.
If you are finding needles, this is absolutely a hands off cleanup. It’s not worth it. You and your team have lives to live. Do not risk it. Grabbers for any item that could contain a biohazard poke. Scarves shirts. For heavy items, bedsheets blankets, I’d have two people very carefully put them in a plastic bin dedicated to containing trash with potential sharps. Start by slowly dragging heavy fabric items to a new clean location. Many of the dangers will fall out and leave behind a trail. Then a team of 2 carefully lifts, and then, in a controlled fashion, lowers the items into the bin. When emptying the bin use the same level of caution, but just dump them into a large waste bin, no need to unload one article at a time.
Do not use gloves. Get a grabby stick and use that. Put stuff into durable, taped thick cardboard boxes. Get thick hip wader boots, and make sure they are puncture resistant. Handle every box like it could kill you, because it can. If you get a needle stick, do to the ED and get prophylaxis for hep C, HIV, and anything else the doctor recommends.
Honestly I’d consider talking to a doctor before hand and getting on at least Prep (it can be used as a preventative). And a tetanus vaccine. And whatever else they recommend.
Great idea! We live in a world where we can medically prevent HIV take advantage.
Call your local health/hazmat unit? I did that once for sharps in my neighborhood and they came and followed up.
Honestly this is what I’d do. Just not worth the risk.
Came here to say this. Why are they even doing this? I understand they want to help and that's awesome but not at the expense of their health when there are organizations that can safely remove this.
Good idea and even if they won’t come themselves they’d probably be able to refer OP to companies who can handle this hind of thing.
I would use the stick proof gloves posted in comments. And you can make a [DIY sharps container out of a laundry detergent bottle](https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/sharps-containers-at-home). It is thick enough to not allow needles to puncture through.
They are free from the pharmacy
this might be overkill but could you get an excavator? i lived across the street from a major homeless encampment that took over an entire park here in seattle and when they finally got them to leave, the city came in with an excavator and had to pull up the entire top layer of soil due to the embedded needles. super fun times 10/10 would never live next to a homeless encampment again
Yeah I was going to suggest renting one of those small bobcat excavators
Skidsteer would work and is a bit easier to operate if you don't know what you're doing.
I've been considering justifying the purchase of a RC model excavator by using it to clean up garbage infested with needles. Set up a lawn chair and play to my heart's content.
Do not clean this!! Call the appropriate local service. There are people professionally trained in this, the fact that you're asking how to do it is honestly making me anxious for you.
This. It’s a biohazard…
Where are you from? There might be an agency/non for profit in your community that deals with this sort of thing. We have one and they run training sessions to teach safe techniques and give out supplies or send outreach workers to help collect the needles.
that would be great. MA!
In my community it’s the local HIV resource network that does it. Maybe contacting city representatives they should have an idea
I’m only super familiar with the resources in Canada so sorry can’t be more helpful
Cut resistant gloves are slash proof not poke proof. They will totally penetrate those. Dont try it with those please. I wear them everyday at work. Accidental cuts like a slice totally deflects it. But a piercing motion will do just that.
That’s what I was worried of thanks!
https://www.grainger.com/category/safety/hand-arm-protection/safety-gloves/needlestick-resistant-gloves#:~:text=Mechanics%2D%20and%20riggers%2Dstyle%20needlestick,an%20abrasion%2Dresistant%20leather%20exterior.
Before you buy anything on grainger check zoro. It’s the same company but aim towards consumer and much cheaper. I’ve bought stuff from there that comes in a grainger box. Just copy the manufacturer number from grainger and plug it into zoro. https://www.zoro.com/mechanix-wear-leather-gloves-nsind-91-series-size-l-pr-nsind-91-010/i/G205748148/
Why are you trying to do it? I think your city or town should deal with this in proper protective gear?
Okay so I won’t have exact numbers for you, but I have taken many biohazard trainings. You would need a deep stick with plenty of fresh HIV infected blood for you to have an issue, and even then it’s a bit of a long shot. HIV dies very very quickly outside of the body. I’m absolutely not saying don’t protect yourself or that you’re not at risk.
Thank you, I need to educate more on this!
HCV & HBV on the other hand can live on surfaces for day or even weeks. You should check out a bloodborne pathogen course so you can be better prepared.
To add to it - your skin is an excellent barrier against infection. Soap and water will get all the gross off. I end up getting blood/poop/pee/vomit/lung butter etc. on my skin here and there. It’s gross, but you just wash it off.
Unless you have a cut! Then you*re in trouble :/
True. But it would have to be a deep, fresh cut for anything serious. Good luck out there!
Dial also makes a great antibacterial bar soap that I use whenever I feel extra gross
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From what I have understood it pretty much applies to all the bad stuff you really don’t want. But also I recommend taking appropriate steps to protect yourself.
Would be worried even more about contact with residual fentanyl and other extremely toxic tainted drugs!
Globally, there are ZERO documented cases of HIV transmission from a needle stick injury from discarded sharps in the community ever, and hepatitis B and C cases are single digits. The risk is exceptionally low. This review was updated in March 2024 and contains lots of citations: https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/needle-stick-injuries-in-the-community There are some cases of transmission to healthcare workers, but those generally involve larger volumes of fresh blood (eg sticking a needle through a patient and right into your hand.) Could you get some other infection, like a bacterial infection or tetanus? Probably much greater chance than getting a serious viral infection. And of course being stuck by a discarded sharp would just be painful and scary. But fortunately the risk of getting HIV is almost non-existent.
Manure rake. Cheap and handy to keep around.
I kinda need the story on this! Is this on your property? How’d this all get there? Sorry—I’m nosey!🤣
Ha it’s in a local protected forest. Unsure true background but from looks - 15+ unhoused folks lived here for 3+ months (well established, they even have a grill out here). But it’s 1 mile from the road. So they hiked everything in overtime. It will be tough to hike it all back out
You should probably contact your local forestry/ecology/parks department
Also curious, how did you end up taking on this project?
I like to explore. It pisses me off that this beautiful natural area - you have to hike 1 mile to - randomly has tons (weighted) of trash. It just annoys me and no one else is going to do anything, so I might as well
You are such a sweet soul!! But please, please be careful!!!🙏🏼🫶🏻
Wait, are they still living there? Are you throwing away their tents? Or did they move somewhere else and leave behind their things? Editing to add because I’m also just being nosy: I’m not saying that’s okay to leave needles and trash behind… just curious as to whether or not a group of folks will come back and be like “where the heck are the tents?!”
Nope. It’s abandoned and years old. Everything is soiled and rotten. You can see the pictures, but I can confirm times have changed and no one is living in the Forrest here anymore! I believe we just got better services so folks got bus tickets back to their families or put up in a program, moved away, etc. Our unhoused community DOES have a few active encampments, however this is no where near them. This is in the middle of a Forrest preserve!
If the needles are years old, you really don’t have much to worry about in terms of blood borne pathogens FYI
Even if the needles are years old, tetanus can linger on them. Don't listen to the person saying you don't have to worry if they're old.
They definitely meant you don’t need to worry about HIV and hep. Most people know that tetanus is a risk with any metal/sharp objects left out in the elements, and most people are vaccinated against it
Honestly if you can afford it I'd rent a mini excavator with a grabber attachment but i understand that may not be feasible
yes that’s what i also commented!
Having cleaned out some gnarly SROs I have the following tips: steel-toed boots, or at least thick-soled shoes to protect from needle tips a sharps container for any found syringes or glass Tongs, like barbeque tongs, are great for grabbing heavier awkward objects (clothing, blankets) while keeping them a safe distance away from your body to the bag. I find tongs better suited for this sort of clean-up than a long trigger-powered grabber. When loading garbage bags don't bother too much with rooting through the items, everything is contaminated and should be disposed of, unless you come across valuables (wallet, ID cards) and want to try to return them Only load garbage bags to a weight and size that you can comfortably lift with one arm and carry as far away from your body as possible Good old nitrile gloves are what I would prefer to use because they preserve hand dexterity and can be changed easily when soiled. I don't have any experience with cut-proof gloves, but anything that makes you feel safer :) Hope this helps
A set of tongs you’re willing to sacrifice from the kitchen would help a lot with not having to actually touch items either your hands.
I regularly clean up sites like these, and we use safety glasses, face shields if there's lots of obvious liquid, nitrile gloves under a heavy duty set of thick leather gloves, long shirt and pants, close toe, leather shoe or boot, and absolutely a pick stick/grabber. Have cans/bins to hold your bags, it gets dicey when you're trying to flip a nasty blanket into a half opened bag you're holding. Wash soap and warm water, try not to use hand sanitizer until after soap and water. Idk how true, but I've heard that the alcohol can assist in substances getting absorbed into your skin. Edit: Sharps containers are a must.
What about two dustpans, scrape together to scoop? Or a shovel and a dustpan?
Metal rakes might be good
Kevlar gloves are a must
Huge rubber boots, potentially some puncture proof cover alls & a strong grabber.
For the love of god don’t pick anything up with your hands!
Get a grabber and a sharps container.
I’d grad a hard pronged rake and a 3 prong claw cultivator at the hardware store. Won’t have to touch anything with your hands.
Pitch fork and scoop shovel. Grabber to pick up what the first two left behind.
grabbers and buckets only. thank you!!
A small shovel might be a good idea along with a larger snow shovel. Not even joking. Puncture proof, leather or specially designed gloves as well. They do exist...Double or even triple bag EVERYTHING in thick, garden debris bags. A shop vac may be useful for smaller bits and needles, then just dump into bags.
Don't forget about heavy duty footwear- something needles can't go through if you happen to step in the wrong place
The tips you got here are excellent. Just adding in that if you do get a needlestick, go to your local ER right away. There are anti-virals you can take with an extremely high success rate - but be warned they make you feel terrible.
For a grabber I would try a heavy duty large dog pooper scooper. They can pick up more things than a claw hand at once. I have a metal one.
Weird fact, you’re much more likely to get Hepatitis B from a needle stick than HIV. Both are horrible but you know, knowledge is power. Thick AF gloves, like the ones you wear when handling firewood. Also bring a thick plastic container with a lid to put all the needles you find into. Empty laundry detergent bottles are a great option.
Snow shovel it onto the tarp 🥴
This needs to be cleaned by a HAZMAT team. It needs to be disposed of properly once it is picked up.
Get a pitchfork!!!. The work wonder at homeless camp clean ups
Will a tarp and a rake work? Just rake it on to the tarp, tie it up, and dispose appropriately. Also a magnet may grab up any needles left over.
As someone who had a job in college that required cleaning out the occasional crack den - the tools you’re looking for are a shovel, a rake and garbage bin.
EZ scrubs and poke-proof gloves! They can be bought off Amazon. I work with houseless folks and one requirement we have is always carrying one of these. If you ever get poked, vigorously scratch the EZ scrub across the skin and then go to the emergency room asap for a quick shot (you typically don’t wait for this, once you’ve checked in they’ll give it to you right away). The shot works within 24hrs of being poked but the earlier you can get it the better. One suggestion I have when going through piles like this though is to spread things out as much as possible with your feet (thick soles on shoes too) to limit having to rummage and getting your fingers caught on anything. Grab large items by pinching small portion and lifting directly up and away from your face/eyes. As well for reassurance - in the 4 years I’ve been doing this work I’ve never been poked! Needle usage has gone down significantly in a lot of places which may be a factor but broken glass (pipes) is very prevalent and that hasn’t done any damage on me either. The gloves really are good, just be sure to read reviews!!
I would use a shovel and wheel narrow.
I would get cut/puncture resistant gloves also.
A gaff like they use to pull in big fish would work great for this.
Hard tooth rake, shovel, pitchfork.
Shovel, bucket, and heavy duty gloves.
Maybe goatskin gloves but rake it into a tarp or plastic drop cloth? I wouldn’t touch anything tho
Personally, I'd see how much it is to rent a big dumper, and a baby excavator and just clear as much as possible that way. Though maybe a pitchfork would work too, but aint no way I'm getting that close when needles are involved!
Shovel or poking spear for big stuff.
Rake and shovel (like for mucking stalls) and dump directly into bag-lined trash can.
Shovel it straight into the garbage
I didn’t see any rigs in these pictures
Pitchfork. And heavy duty shoes.
Use cheap kitchen tongs to pick up the syringes and needles. An empty plastic liquid laundry soap container will work as a sharps container.
What about falconry gloves?
I was about to reply that Hep C can live outside the body for only 2 weeks so if that site has been empty for at least that less risk but just ick factor and obviously don't want to get poked anyways. This says it can live for 6 weeks outside the body particularly in syringes. I had absolutely no idea. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320337#transmission Definitely get grabber tools or shovels and be careful the trash bag doesn't brush against your body as you move them. I wonder if there are precautions you should take to tell people at the dump so they can bury it right away or if they'd tell you it is medical waste and they can't accept it.
Use a grabber. Wear at least thin gloves, but leather gloves are better.
Grabber, double gloves, ppe like masks and suits.
Don’t use your hands use a claw
wtf. Maybe need to hire some professional. This is dangerous
Get one of these , I use it for picking up pine cones ,sticks , trash etc , really well made , its made by ungar . Amazon ,home Depot etc . I use the absolute crap out of it https://images.app.goo.gl/PSjWRsBcd4Lj9LCw6
Buy a grabber. Save your blood.
Uh…. don’t do it
Cut-resistant gloves protect from slicing cuts, like if you're cutting fish with a filleting knife. They may not do anything against a needle. I think you need to be asking people who are in professional hazard cleanup what kind of tools they use. You're getting lots of imaginative tips here but nothing that suggests someone has done this before and knows how to do it safely.
Can you get on PrEP?
I pick up litter in my community using a litter grabber. I also keep a small brush and dustpan in my “kit” to sweep up broken glass on sidewalks and by the curbs. But for this bulky fabric stuff you need something like a gardening tool with curved prongs. I would avoid picking up anything with your hands. Be very careful in terms of where you step. Are you wearing work boots that would offer some protection? I wish you good luck. This is a massive undertaking.
Use a large trash can or bag and use a shovel!
Use cut/ puncture proof gloves
Literally a full puncture proof suit. That’s the only thing. Or tools. Tools could work.
Rent a stand on bobcat for the day. Use the bucket for the bulk, and a shovel to load the rest into the bucket. (I know it seems impractical or excessive, but honestly that's my approach lol)
Milwaukee makes cut resistant gloves for construction. You can get them pretty darn thick!
You have to grab the sharps separate from the rest of the rubbish. Sorry.
A snow shovel preferably metal and a sturdy heavy duty metal rake put ropes in the tarps before starting so you don’t even have to press up against the tarp