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Between mandatory mask requirements and our personal responsibility to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment, and its use is far more prevalent these days. Now, just using masks, gloves, and other coverings is only the first step in staying safe while we all navigate the pandemic safely. Disposing of and managing associated PPE waste properly is an essential part of the process. In this article we’ll walk through some of the elements of PPE waste management.

What is PPE?

PPE is an acronym that stands for “Personal Protective Equipment”. This can include masks, gloves, safety glasses, shoe coverings, and other essential items that help protect the wearer from contaminants of varying types. Traditionally, medical professionals and people who work with hazardous waste handle a lot of PPE, but the pandemic has opened the need much wider to the greater populace. Now, even working at a restaurant or running a small store makes you a manufacturer or generator of PPE waste. Safe handling of PPE, especially if it suspected or known to be contaminated with any infectious disease begins at the point the waste is generated – you and those in your workplace. Now, it’s important to note that mismanaging PPE can put you, fellow colleagues, or patients and customers at risk, even if you are diligent about wearing it when you should.

PPE waste may be generated during activities such as but not limited to:

• Using and discarding sharps, dressings, and other supplies while caring for a patient
• Discarding supplies used during laboratory testing
• Cleaning hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulances, airplanes, offices, restaurants, or retail spaces
• Used disposable masks, gloves, dressings or other supplies required by local, state, or federal governance orders to stay compliant within CDC guidelines for operating essential and non-essential businesses

Employers should assess their respective workplace environment and CDC guidelines to determine and select appropriate PPE to protect workers and keep patients, clients, and customers safe.  Increasing levels of PPE may be required if it is determined that any job duty or function within their facility poses a higher risk of exposure than others or as outlined by CDC guidelines.

Handling PPE Safely in the Workplace

We’ve all heard that we’re supposed to be washing our hands, engaging in proper social distancing, keeping our hands away from our faces, and wearing masks to protect ourselves and our communities. When managing those masks, gloves and other PPE in a workplace setting, it’s essential to treat them as though they have been contaminated when not in use. That means following the proper cleaning and waste procedures.  Employers should provide additional training on which PPE is necessary, how to use and take it off properly, and the correct process for disposing of it.

For example, when you’re in a safe environment, you should remove your mask and other PPE in a way that avoids self-contamination and dispose of it in a medical waste container to be disposed of safely. Medical waste containers are usually lined with red biohazardous labelled bags. They require special handling and packaging to minimize any risk of exposure in the workplace. These containers will then need to be picked up by a qualified medical waste management company like us to properly treat and dispose of the waste. Minimizing risk to your community and yourself is essential as the pandemic continues to spread throughout the world.

BWS Can Help with PPE and Other Biohazardous Waste Disposal

Whether you’re new to biohazardous waste management or you’ve been working with it for a long time, BWS is your partner for safe disposal. It is important, now more than ever, to ensure that we’re maintaining safe practices for PPE use to help flatten the curve and keep our communities safe. If you have questions about PPE management and disposal for your place of employment, contact us today. We’re here to help.

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