At Direct365, our business is managing your waste. We do this for so many small businesses and organisations because we are the small business experts. But not every company’s waste habits are the same, so our system is tailored to your individual needs and what your business does. That’s why our clinical waste management services take in to account what you need. This service is for businesses that operate within the healthcare space, but also include industries such as tattoo and beauty.
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There are lots of dangers associated with clinical waste, and if you don’t know what you’re doing you could easily put yourself, your customers and your staff in danger. It’s important that you understand how you can put people in danger because then you can better avoid problems in the future. Here is some of the harm that incorrect clinical waste can cause.
Legal Risks
The legal requirement for clinical waste management focuses on the correct collection, storage and isolation of the waste that would see it be safely moved with an official contractor. There are a number of regulations to adhere to when thinking about clinical waste management. These are:
- The Environment Protection Act 1990 (including Duty of Care regulations)
- The Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
- The Hazardous Waste Directive
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations
Injury and illness
This one is probably the most obvious. But incorrect disposal of clinical waste can result in both fatal and non-fatal illness, depending on what your waste is and the industry you are in.
The dangers of salon waste, for example, are slightly less serious than that of a hospital. Yet, incorrect disposal of both sets can be harmful. Hospital waste such as dressings, bandages and needles can be full of bacteria and disease, while that is less likely in a salon, it is still possible.
Injury is another worrying danger. Sharp objects – namely needles – should always be stored in specialist boxes and not plastic bags. The contamination of these especially offers a serious chance of injury.
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Reputational
Because waste disposal is a regulatory matter, there’s always the chance that a fine, legal charge or media exposure could seriously impact your business. The reputation of any business or establishment is based on good PR and good practice. Having the book thrown at you can be a very public and painful experience. The law requires a licensed waste management firm to deal with your waste, and they will be able to both provide advice but also dispose of your waste in a legal and correct way.
Environmental Impact
There is an environmental impact on incorrectly disposing of clinical waste. Depending on how it is disposed, this waste can be harmful to wildlife, nature and the surrounding areas of businesses. Waste not stored and disposed of correctly is a danger, especially when in areas that people and wildlife may be dwelling.
Not hiring a certified waste disposal team also runs its own risks of being dangerous. Waste management specialists must collect, store and dispose of clinical waste safely themselves, with each part of the process documented and held properly accountable. Without this guarantee, there’s no saying that the clinical waste you are responsible for will be disposed of correctly and safely.
The dangers of incorrect clinical waste management are there for all to see. Our warnings are based on factors that are dangerous to life and business. Ensuring you are compliant with these problems will mean hiring a professional waste management company. Direct365 can offer an expert collection service perfect for your business. For further details on how we can best serve your business on clinical waste, contact us using the form below.