Apparatus is provided for safely removing a blade from a scalpel using a scalpel blade remover. The apparatus comprises a combination of a housing (10) having a formation defining a socket (17) of predetermined depth, and at least one elongate scalpel blade remover (15). The socket (17), which may be a tubular portion of circular cross section, is dimensioned to receive therein a lower portion of the blade remover (15) such that the blade remover is retained in an upright or inclined position in the socket when the housing is in an operative orientation. The blade remover (15) can be orientated within the socket (17) at a variable azimuth. The housing may be a case comprising two hinged parts (11,12), with the socket in one of the hinged parts, and a sharps holder (18) in the other hinged part.
