Medical waste management is a critical aspect of healthcare operations that must be managed effectively to minimise environmental and health hazards. Compliance with national and local laws is as important to ensure the correct medical waste management framework.
Improper disposal of medical waste can lead to severe consequences such as the
spread of infections, contamination of water bodies, and harm to public health.
Furthermore, non-compliance can also result in Therefore, it is essential to establish
appropriate guidelines for medical waste management.
Types of Medical Waste
Medical waste can be classified into various categories, such as infectious waste,
hazardous waste, radioactive waste, and non-hazardous waste. Each of these
categories requires a different type of disposal method. Infectious waste includes blood, body fluids, and other materials containing pathogens. The hazardous waste consists of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other substances that significantly threaten the environment and human health.
Risks of Improper Medical Waste Management
Improper medical waste management can cause several risks, including spreading
infections, contaminating water bodies, and harming public health. Medical waste
contains pathogens that can cause diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Improper disposal of hazardous waste can release chemicals and toxins into the
environment, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards.
Regulations and Guidelines
Several regulations and guidelines govern medical waste management to ensure that it is carried out safely and effectively. These include the Western Cape Health Care Risk Waste Management Regulations, 2013, as well as the Occupational Health and Safety Act. These regulations provide guidelines on handling, storing, and disposing of medical waste.
What are your legal responsibilities in terms of the Regulations?
Training for staff - Regulation 10 - A generator of health care risk waste must
provide training to all personnel in its employ who are involved in the
management of health care risk waste.
Generator Registration and Reporting – Regulation 11 & 12 - A HCRW
generator must register and with the Western Cape Health Department, and must submit a monthly report on the online IPWIS reporting platform.
Audit and Reporting – Regulation 13 & 14 - A HCRW generator must conduct
internal audits of its HCRW processes every three months and must keep the
records of all waste reporting for a minimum period of five years.
Waste Management Plan – Regulation 15 - A generator who generates 20 kg
or more of health care risk waste per day, when calculated monthly as a daily
average, must prepare a health care waste management plan within six months after commencing to operate as such a generator.
Failure to comply is an offence and upon conviction the offender shall be liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years, or to both a fine and
imprisonment not exceeding ten years as provided for in section 11(1)(b) of the Act.
For assistance with your compliance i.e training, reporting and audits, give us a call at 082 040 9992 or info@jumperwaste.co.za
Also read our latest blog on our exciting food waste programme:
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