Needlestick injuries are one of the most common on-the-job injuries in healthcare. While you might take all precautions to avoid a needlestick in your work environment, unfortunately accidents still happen. Many organizations involved in workplace safety are continuously making improvements to standard practices and procedures to help reduce the risk of accidents happening on the job. But what are other stakeholders doing outside of SOP's or OSHA compliance to go above and beyond those scopes for employee safety? In this article, we will cover what BWS has implemented in it's own operation over the last 12 months addressing this very topic of workplace safety when it comes to regulated medical waste.

Besides safety, sustainability is another leading initiative for many companies across a broad range of industries, not just healthcare. Businesses large and small are analyzing their operations to reduce their environmental impact developing "Green" strategies or sustainability initiatives. So how do we bring sustainability and safety together for responsible medical waste management? BWS has the solution.

Say No to Single Use

Single use products can end up in a landfill if not recyclable. Although BWS recycles its cardboard regulated waste boxes, they still have an impact on the environment. BWS recently incorporated 28 gallon reusable containers in it's operation which reduces the need for corrugated boxes. Reusable medical waste containers is a process many major medical waste management companies use across the country.

The new 28 gallon reusable containers should always be used with red biohazard bags or liners. This helps contain the waste. Once they are full and ready for disposal, BWS collects the waste to be processed at their treatment facility in Baltimore, MD. In late 2020, BWS installed a state-of-the-art conveyer washer system in preparation for converting to reusable medical waste containers. Once emptied, the reusable containers are placed in the washer system which thoroughly sanitizes and disinfects them for reuse. (Refer to the infographic above outlining this process)

Learn more about the 28 gallon reusable medical waste containers and the benefits of using them by clicking here and watch a short video of the new conveyer washer by clicking here.

Safety is No Accident

You may have heard this phrase and wondering how it applies here. When BWS began the transition using reusable containers, this action not only improved sustainability objectives but also operational safety standards for biohazardous waste collection. The new containers are more durable and reliable versus cardboard boxes. While the corrugated boxes remain an approved collection container and used throughout many operations, BWS recently announced they will begin a phased in approach to transition a majority of their customers to this new, safer container.

The durable, thick plastic resists leaks, spills, and punctures making it the perfect solution for medical waste collection in facilities where sharps may be in use. Loose sharps should never be thrown directly into the new reusable container without being placed in a sharps container first. Unfortunately, there are incidents where sharps become loose from the disposable sharps container inside the reusable medical waste container, which then has the potential to cause injury. The rigid material of the reusable container helps minimize this risk keeping anyone handling the special waste safe.

Partnering With the Right Medical Waste Management Company That Cares About Sustainability & Safety

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 safety solutions for a variety of industries in the mid-Atlantic area, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Over the years BWS hand continued to evolve their processes as sustainability efforts become more important now than ever. We've partnered with many healthcare facilities and other industry organizations to manage their medical waste while streamlining their practices to accomplish customer sustainability and safety goals. Call or contact us today to partner with a medical waste management company that cares about both.

References:

Sharps Safety for Healthcare Settings

https://www.cdc.gov/sharpssafety/resources.html

Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/bbfact02.pdf

Share this article:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkediIn

Email