424 Health Care Waste
Preventing Harm from Health Care Waste
Whether in a small health post, a larger clinic, or in the home, medical tools
and health care waste must be managed safely to prevent harm.
• Reduce the amount of waste by choosing medical supplies carefully.
• Separate wastes where they are created.
• Disinfect wastes that carry germs.
• Treat chemical wastes to make them less harmful.
• Safely store and transport waste.
• Dispose of health care wastes in the least harmful way possible.
• Train everyone who handles health care waste about safe methods.
No matter what methods your clinic, center, or hospital
uses, ake sure everyone who handles health care waste,
especially new people, understands what needs to be done and
why. Often, people will bring up new ideas that can make work easier and
safer for everyone. Some clinics have a team of people who are responsible for
training and checking safe practices (see pages 443 to 446).
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012