Medical waste disposal requires more than simply tossing used materials in any old trash can; proper collection, treatment and disposal are vitally important to the health and wellbeing of employees, patients and the wider community. To avoid contamination and comply with local, state and federal regulations while remaining compliant you need the appropriate trash cans/receptacles for your specific needs.
As an example, biohazard waste cans should be used for any materials contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. These special receptacles typically come in red color and clearly display biohazard signs to inform you they contain infectious materials and should only be handled by trained personnel. Additional containers that might come in handy would include those designed to contain used needles and sharp objects that come into contact with blood or body fluids as well as containers to hold any other materials that might come in contact with blood or bodily fluids.
Be mindful that not all items constitute medical waste and, thus, do not need to be stored or disposed of in a biohazard container. These include empty containers, dry bandages and anything non-contaminated by blood or bodily fluids – protective medical gear like masks gloves and gowns do not need to be put in such cans either.
Your facility must abide by all local and state regulations regarding how and where these materials can be stored; depending on local laws, this may mean keeping them locked away in a ventilated room with only authorized personnel having access to them.
Your facility also needs the appropriate storage containers to dispose of items discarded as part of decontamination procedures. Any solid waste that contains potentially infectious materials or recombinant DNA/synthetic nucleic acid requires chemical disinfection or steam sterilization before it can be considered biohazardous waste and discarded accordingly.
Your facility should ensure all staff members receive full training on how to handle, transport, and dispose of different types of medical waste. At least every three years, this training must be provided by a certified trainer. Additionally, your facility must possess appropriate waste receptacles and labels for each type of medical waste produced within. To learn more about selecting suitable biohazard waste cans for your facility, check new website. Waste professionals can assist with everything from safely storing your waste to making sure it complies with regulatory requirements for handling and disposal. Furthermore, they will assist with any training or certification needs for your facility and offer full range of safe and responsible waste services such as container rentals, transportation and disposal.
