Do a Health Care Waste Assessment 443
Do a Health Care Waste Assessment
Evaluating how health care waste is created, handled, and disposed of can
help everyone in a health center find ways to work more safely. An assessment
can identify the problems in how waste is created and handled, and can help
find solutions.
Steps in doing a health care
waste assessment
1. Meet and discuss problems with all health center staff.
2. List what is in the pharmacy and supply room.
3. Make a map of the center.
4. Walk through the health center and note problems.
5. Learn about different choices for treating and disposing of waste.
6. Find out how waste is handled and disposed of,
both at the health center and in the community.
7. Take action!
8. Regularly educate and train all workers.
➊ Meet and discuss problems with all
health center staff.
Everyone at the center should
help with the assessment.
Doctors, nurses, waste handlers,
and cleaners are likely to have
different ideas about where waste
is coming from and what the
problems are.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012