Biohazard Waste Disposal Service

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Biohazard Waste refers to any waste that is potentially infectious or can cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment. This includes certain types of medical waste and other items that come into contact with bodily fluids like blood, saliva, or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) clearly defines what is considered as biohazardous.

Biohazardous Waste Items Include:

• Human Fluids: Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood.

• Pathological Waste: Human body tissues or organs removed during surgery or autopsy.

• Microbiological Waste: Lab waste that comes from working with infectious agents.

• Animal Waste: Animal carcasses, body parts, or bedding, especially if they've been exposed to infectious agents.

A biohazard container is a special bin used to safely throw away things that might have germs that can make people sick. These germs can come from human blood or other body fluids. We have to be extra careful with these things because we don't want anyone to get hurt or sick.

Here's what you should know about biohazard containers:

• They are the primary waste containers found beside patient beds (that's why we sometimes call them "bedside" containers).

• They are red or have a red bag inside.

• They show a biohazard symbol, which looks like three connected circles. This tells us that there might be harmful germs inside.

• You can find these containers in places like hospitals, clinics, or doctor's offices.

• It's designed to be operated with your foot. This way, hands stay clean, and there's less risk of spreading germs.

• When throwing something away, make sure the bag inside isn't too full. It should not hold more than three pounds or fill more than one gallon.

• After a medical procedure, the waste goes straight from where it happened into this container.

• The person or place (like a hospital) that produces this kind of waste is called the "generator." They have to make sure that once the container is full or ready to be thrown away, the bag inside is safely taken out and moved to a larger bin called the Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Container.

• These containers follow special rules set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the standard called 29 CFR 1910.1030. This makes sure everyone stays safe!

A biohazard container helps to keep everyone safe from harmful germs. So, it's important to place it in the right spot! Here's a simple guide for where to put your biohazard container:

• Near where it's needed: Put the container close to where you'll use it. For example, if it's in a doctor's office, it should be near where the doctor does exams or treatments.

• Easy to see and reach: It shouldn't be hidden behind furniture or in a corner. People should see it easily and reach it without stretching or bending too much.

• Away from busy areas: It's best to keep the container away from high-traffic places where lots of people walk. We don't want anyone to bump into it or knock it over.

• Safe from kids: If kids are around, place the container somewhere high or locked so they can't touch or open it.

• Foot-operated: Make sure it's on a flat surface where the foot pedal works well. Using the foot pedal means hands stay clean and germ-free!

• Away from direct sunlight: Sunlight can weaken the bag inside and might make it break. Find a shady spot for your container.

• On a stable surface: It should be on a flat floor, not wobbly or tilted. This way, it won't tip over.

• Easy for pick-up: Think about the people who will come to collect the waste. Place the container somewhere they can get to it easily and safely.

Biohazard containers are very special trash cans. They are made to hold certain dangerous waste. But, not everything should go inside. Let's go over what you should never put in a biohazard container:

• Loose Sharps: Things like needles, scalpels, and broken glass are called "sharps." These can poke or cut people. Sharps should NEVER be thrown directly into a biohazard container. First, you need to put them in a special sharps container. Once that sharps container is full and closed, then you can put the whole sharps container into the biohazard container.

• Regular Trash: Things like paper, wrappers, and food shouldn't go in a biohazard container. They have their own regular trash can.

• Medicines: Leftover pills, liquids, or creams should not be thrown in. There are special ways to get rid of old medicines.

• Chemicals: Stuff like bleach, cleaners, or other chemicals shouldn't be mixed with biohazard waste. They can be dangerous if mixed.

• Batteries and Electronics: These can leak or break, and they need their own special way of being thrown away.

• Broken Equipment: If something from the doctor's office breaks, like a machine or tool, it shouldn't go into the biohazard container.

• Personal Items: Things like toys, clothes, or personal items should be kept out.