Clinical Waste Disposal Guidelines

Healthcare waste is any waste produced after a healthcare procedure, which can be hazardous. The UK has introduced many regulations that cover clinical waste disposal over the years. Each of these informs healthcare providers on how to manage such waste safely, protecting both the public and the environment.

This clinical waste disposal legislation isn’t confined to just medical waste though. It covers a range of issues, such as packaging and transport, treatment, and the health and safety of employees.

The Environmental Protection Act is a piece of legislation first introduced in 1990. It sets out ways to manage waste that could pollute the land, water, and air – or harm human health. It imposes a duty of care on all businesses who produce or dispose of waste, instructing them to do so safely.

This is the main legislation that governs clinical waste disposal, as it can be hazardous and infectious, which can pollute soil, air, and water sources if it ends up in landfill. Failure to dispose of clinical waste without a waste management licence or doing so in a way that harms the environment or human health breaches this act.

The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 set out guidelines to control and track hazardous waste, which covers various types of clinical waste – such as sharps and anatomical waste. It deals with waste considered to pose a high risk to the environment or human health that needs handling or treating in a special way.

The List of Waste Regulations 2005 details hazardous waste types, which includes the likes of cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines, chemicals, and solvents. Under these regulations, the movement of hazardous waste is controlled by a documentation system. These regulations also prevent mixing hazardous substances and waste types to avoid cross-contamination.

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations affect how clinical waste is moved around – usually from your business premises to a recycling, incineration, or other form of disposal facility. This act covers dangerous goods that are transported and how to manage the risk of spills, which can result in hazards such as environmental damage, chemical burns, and sometimes fire.

Transportation of clinical waste by rail or road is regulated by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Anyone transporting such waste must be ADR trained to ensure they’re knowledgeable in how to transfer it safely. These regulations must be followed by healthcare providers who transport clinical waste for disposal.

Healthcare waste managers must follow the government legislation mentioned above and the Healthcare Technical Memorandum (HTM) 07-01 to ensure clinical waste is dealt with safely. You must correctly segregate and classify different types of healthcare waste to ensure it goes to the right place for storage and treatment. You should also also assess the results of the waste audit at regular intervals.

Clinical waste must be inspected at the waste facility to ensure the contents of the container match what was expected. Each type of clinical waste is coded to detail the type of waste and appropriate waste management method. In England, some waste is known as offensive hygiene waste and is sorted into yellow bags with a black stripe.

There are measures in place for the storage, segregation, and handling of healthcare and clinical waste. Firstly, you can’t store individual containers of waste cannot loose. Bagged waste must be stored in fully enclosed and leak-proof containers such as carts. Rigid waste containers should be in good condition, sealed and handled in an upright position.

Clinical waste should be located away from sensitive perimeters and watercourses for public safety. It must be placed in a security-protected area. Anatomical waste must be stored in refrigerated units unless they will be onsite for under 24 hours. Offensive waste must be stored in a secure building in secure bulk containers.