The U.S. grapples with the disposal of upwards of 6 million tons of medical waste annually. While the majority is comparable to common household trash, approximately 15 percent can cause infections in unsuspecting manufacturing plant workers and community members. It’s essential that medical waste safety for manufacturers, hospitals, healthcare facilities, and peripheral organizations is explicitly taught to avoid injuries, ailments, and fatalities.

Following proper guidelines regarding medical waste disposal for manufacturers keeps companies in regulatory compliance and keeps employees safe. If you are a safety manager tasked with medical waste oversight and disposal, the following information may prove invaluable.

Separating Medical Waste for Disposal

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 16 billion injections are performed annually. While medications provide benefits to people, used needles must be disposed of in accordance with safety regulations.

On the other side of the coin, professionals in charge of medical waste safety for manufacturers must segregate defective products for disposal. The first step for any organization tasked with managing medical waste involves categorizing each item and separating it to prevent cross-contamination.

  • Infectious Waste: Also referred to as biohazards in the healthcare sector, these materials include blood, bodily fluids, tissues, organs, cultures, and microbiological specimens. These products may include bedding, disposable protective clothing, and laboratory tools and devices, among others.
  • Hazardous Waste:This class of medical waste poses a danger to people and the environment. Its toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, and reactivity make it a threat to human health and the ecosystem. It ranks among the key issues in medical waste safety for manufacturers.
  • Pharmaceutical Waste: The medications and materials crafted by pharmaceutical manufacturers sometimes require discarding. Contaminated chemicals and products must be segregated to prevent other vital medicines from being ruined. The same holds true for healthcare facilities tasked with managing dangerous biohazards such as chemotherapy drugs, among others.
  • Sharps Waste:Pointed and sharp-edged medical waste products present a danger to workers in the healthcare industry as well as those who handle post-facility disposal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that medical waste treatment workforces are frequently exposed to biohazards, including HIV, tuberculosis, and other potentially deadly pathogens. Contamination can occur through cuts and puncture wounds from medical waste.

While non-infectious medical waste may not lead to direct contamination or infection, it also requires specialized handling. For example, the bedding used in a senior living facility may seem non-infectious. However, it usually takes time for symptoms to appear after someone has contracted a disease. That’s why non-infectious medical waste must be treated with appropriate safety measures to prevent the spread of infection.

Importance of Choosing Correct Medical Waste Containers

Selecting the appropriate medical waste containers has wide-reaching implications. When they are durable and properly sealed, they help protect staff members, patients, and waste management professionals from injury and infection.

Organizations must also comply with regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These regulations govern the types of medical waste containers.

  • Biohazard Containers:These specialized, leak-proof containers can be closed and securely sealed. Used to house waste materials that have been contaminated with pathogens, they protect employees and the environment from exposure to hazardous pathogens.
  • Sharps Containers: Puncture-proof containers are designed to store sharp-edge materials that can cut or puncture the skin. Items such as used needles and syringes are among the most used in healthcare facilities. Medical equipment with sharp edges can transfer biohazards and chemical agents by opening a wound. Sharps containers must also demonstrate leak-resistant capabilities.
  • Hazardous Waste Containers: Portable products are used to store and transport hazardous waste. This class of container ranges from secure drums to tanker trucks, as well as sealable bags and bins. They must prove compatible with the medical waste and provide proper labeling.

Commonly referred to as trash cans, standard waste bins are essential in medical manufacturing plants because they help workers distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Deploying standard trash bins also reduces the amount of medical waste that requires dedicated treatment. Similarly, recycling bins are used to separate materials that can be repurposed, lowering the amount of landfill waste.

Safe Medical Waste Storage for Manufacturers

Once medical waste has been properly segregated and placed into containers that meet safety regulations, it may require short-term storage. Trained personnel normally move the bins to a designated storage space or facility. These medical waste management specialists utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) and wear disposable clothing at all times. In accordance with medical waste handling regulations, the materials are stored in areas that meet industry standards.

The storage areas must be separate and apart from other workspaces and common areas. They should be well-ventilated and clearly marked to warn employees. Many require climate control systems to prevent the proliferation of biohazards, mold growth, and the potential for pathogens to become airborne.

Access to medical waste should be limited to trained, authorized personnel who understand the risks and take the proper safety precautions. It’s also important to keep in mind that medical waste safety for manufacturers requires storage areas to undergo regular inspections.

Medical Waste Oversight and Regulations

After nationwide unease developed during the 1980s, Congress passed the Medical Waste Tracking Act, which authorized the EPA to investigate and implement safety guidelines. The Act expired in 1991, shifting medical waste handling, storage, and disposal authority to organizations such as OSHA, the FDA, and the CDC.

These federal health and safety agencies create regulations that are largely enforced by state and local officials. State EPA offices and health agencies typically handle direct medical waste management oversight and safety regulation enforcement. The Hazardous Waste State Locator is a user-friendly platform that provides direction regarding which agencies administer regulations.

Employee Training and Education

A well-educated workforce is best equipped to safely handle and dispose of medical waste in manufacturing settings. Each new hire requires informational materials to understand the sometimes-subtle differences between various hazards.

Knowledge about pathogens, biohazards, chemical agents, and other health and environmental threats enables workers to make informed decisions regarding segregation, container selection, storage methods, emergency procedures, and the appropriate use of PPE and disposable protective clothing, such as the following.

  • Gloves: Disposable gloves that insulate workers from medical waste skin contact are the industry standard. Although many professionals who handle biohazards and contaminated products wear lightweight, protective gloves, those tasked with moving and transporting containers may also need heavy-duty work gloves.
  • Coveralls: Disposable clothing that provides neck-to-ankle protection against medical waste, delivers comprehensive insulation from pathogens, chemicals, and potentially harmful materials. Many industry-leading coveralls are resistant to chemicals, liquid seepage, heat, and punctures.
  • Head Protection:Organizations that select a personal protective clothing brand that allows accessorizing is a significant benefit. Hoods can be secured to coveralls, eliminating gaps that are left unsecured. Other common accessories such as sleeves, shoe / boot coverings, and aprons offer extra protection when needed.
  • Footwear: Manufacturing plant workers often wear heavy-duty boots and other protective footwear to safeguard against potential hard-impact injuries. While work boots may check one OSHA box, some are prone to chemical seepage and hazardous materials clinging to them. Medical manufacturers would be well served to insist on employees wearing splash-resistant shoe coverings that keep contaminants off footwear.

The use of breathable masks and eye protection are also necessary when handling medical waste and other hazards. Face shields, goggles, and other appropriate products are critical to ensure workers enjoy clean, safe air.

Community members working in the medical manufacturing industry are routinely exposed to dangers such as cuts, skin punctures, and inhaling airborne pathogens. By receiving education, training, and adhering to regulations surrounding medical waste management and PPE usage, workers are better equipped to complete their shifts safely. Additionally, employers will avoid hefty fines due to non-compliance.