Tip:
Proper waste disposal
is a preventive and protective practice.

The importance of proper waste disposal

All staff have a responsibility to dispose of waste in a manner that poses minimal hazard to clients, visitors, other health care workers, and the community.

Proper disposal:

• Minimizes the spread of infections and reduces the risk of accidental injury to staff, clients, visitors, and the local community
• Helps provide an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere
• Reduces odors
• Attracts fewer insects and does not attract animals
• Reduces the likelihood of contamination of the soil or ground water with chemicals or microorganisms

Who is at risk?

Staff: A large percentage of staff (including nurses, midwives, nursing aides, and cleaning and maintenance staff) report having experienced waste-related injuries and infections. Sharps pose the greatest risk and can cause injury and transmission of serious infections, including HIV and hepatitis B. If possible, all staff at risk of waste-related injury should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Clients: Staff members who have improperly handled contaminated waste can easily spread infections to clients.

Community: Improper disposal of waste is one of the greatest threats to members of the community. For example, contaminated waste can be found by children who are playing and cause them injury and infection. In many low-resource settings, scavenging of medical waste is a significant problem. Not only are scavengers at risk of injury and infection themselves, but this practice can also put clients and the local community at risk when scavenged waste, such as syringes and needles, is reused.

Anyone who handles contaminated waste--from the time it is thrown out by a service provider to even after it reaches the site of final disposal--is at risk of infection or injury.

©2004 EngenderHealth