Legal Definition of Clinical Waste
Any waste which consists wholly or partly of human or animal tissue, blood or any other body fluids, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings, or syringes, needles or other sharp instruments, being waste, which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it; and other waste arising from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, pharmaceutical or similar practice, investigation, treatment, care, teaching, or reseacrh, or collection of blood for transfusion, being waste which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it.

Conclusion
Sharps are a hazard to health, they may be instrument in causing a number of infections.  Treated with caution, and by following simple policies and procedures, the risk of injury and subsequent infection is greatly reduced.