Properly Packaging Your Biohazardous Waste for Safe Disposal

Whether you’re a doctor’s office, dental practice, urgent care, or other healthcare facility, chances are you’re generating biohazardous waste.  This type of waste can contain potentially dangerous or harmful infectious materials that may put others as well as the environment at risk if it’s not properly disposed of.  Disposing of your medical waste includes how it’s segregated and packaged.  In this article, we’ll cover properly packaging your medical waste.

As a medical waste generator, you remain liable for the safe and compliant transport and disposal of your regulated medical waste - even after it’s left your facility. That’s why it’s critical to ensure you’re properly packaging your medical waste to avoid any potential risks of on-the-job injuries for your staff and anyone handling the waste during transport and disposal.

Are Your Staff Properly Trained for Handling Medical Waste?

Anyone handling potentially infectious waste is required by OSHA to follow safety regulations and complete routine training. This generally includes Bloodborne Pathogen training and hazard communications. Depending on the staff member’s responsibilities and job duties, additional training may be required. 

Steps for Properly Packaging Your Medical Waste

Step 1

The first step to ensuring your medical waste is properly packaged begins with segregating your waste.  This means having a thorough understanding of the various and appropriate containers for different waste types.

Step 2

For the biohazardous waste you’re generating, which can include blood saturated items, contaminated sharps, bodily fluid saturated items, to name a few, you should use the vendor supplied biohazard corrugated box or reusable container.  These are DOT approved containers for medical waste transport.

Whether you are using a single-use box or a reusable container, always line the receptacle with a red biohazardous bag.  These are generally provided by your medical waste disposal vendor.

Step 3

If you are generating sharps waste, which are sharp objects such as needles, syringes, and scalpels, these items must be placed in a puncture resistant, disposable sharps container.  Never place loose sharps directly into the biohazard box or reusable biohazard container.  They must be placed in the sharps container first.  Click here to learn more about Simple Steps to Sharps Safety.

Disposable sharps containers, once locked/sealed, should be placed into the biohazard box or reusable container, along with your other biohazard waste. The biohazard box or reusable container is DOT approved outer packaging for small sharps containers.

Step 4

As your box becomes full, be aware that the DOT approved weight for biohazard boxes or reusable containers must not exceed 45 lbs or additional fees or fines could be incurred. Once the red bag is full, while being extra cautious and wearing appropriate PPE, next step is to secure the red bag by twisting and hand tying the bag into a single knot.  This will ensure the medical waste stays contained in the bag and helps prevent any leaking or dislodged items.

Step 5

Once the red bag is secured inside the biohazardous box or reusable container, the next step is to secure the box or reusable container.  If you’re using a single-use box, you will close the flaps and place a strip of 2” wide tape across the top.  Always make sure the bottom is secure with tape before use.  For the reusable biohazard containers, securely place the provided lid on top of the container without obstructions or foreign materials protruding from the container.

Step 6

The final step to properly packaging your medical waste is labeling.  Labelling is required for Pathological or incineration only waste because the disposal method varies from medical waste treated through the autoclave process.

Partnering with a Reliable Medical Waste Management Partner that’s been Trusted for Over 45 Years

Here at Biomedical Waste Services, Inc. (BWS) we have over 45 years of experience safely collecting, transporting, and disposing of regulated medical waste and managing workplace compliance solutions for a variety of industries in the mid-Atlantic area, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  We are committed to improving safety for our customers, our employees, and our communities.  Over the years we’ve partnered with regulatory agencies to understand and shape promulgation effecting medical waste. BWS is a proud member of the Healthcare Waste Institute, a nationally recognized agency centered around responsible healthcare waste management practices. We’ve partnered with many healthcare facilities and other industry organizations to manage their medical waste while streamlining their practices and maintaining compliance requirements and safety standards.  Call or contact us today to partner with a trusted, reliable medical waste management company.

Share this article:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkediIn

Email