![\"infectious](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Hub_TheChainofInfection_01-1.png\")
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If you clean for an organisation that works with people or animals (and their bodily fluids), you\u2019ll need more than a mop and bucket on hand.<\/p>\n
Proper disposal methods and hygiene are of paramount importance.<\/strong><\/p>\n Infectious waste includes any fluids, solids, or materials that have the potential to carry infectious microorganisms and transfer diseases.<\/p>\n The World Health Organisation<\/a>\u2019s (WHO) definition of infectious waste is:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWaste contaminated with blood and its by-products, cultures and stocks of infectious agents, waste from patients in isolation wards, discarded diagnostic samples containing blood and body fluids, and contaminated materials (swabs and bandages) and equipment (such as disposable medical devices).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n These can contaminate all sorts of surfaces and materials.<\/p>\n Items that pose a risk to cleaners and people in charge of waste disposal include syringes and needles, scalpel blades, plasters, bandages, soiled clothing, bedding (human and animal), toilets, materials used to clean wounds, and sanitary waste<\/strong> (e.g. feminine hygiene products or incontinence pads).<\/p>\n Spillages of infectious waste pose an immediate and direct risk; it\u2019s essential that you clean it up and sanitise the area thoroughly. And remember: anything<\/em> <\/strong>can become contaminated. A mug, a blanket \u2013 any basic object.<\/p>\n You cannot clean a contaminated item as you normally would. Remove it safely from the premises, i.e. without posing a risk to yourself and others in the process, and dispose of it appropriately (no dumping it in the nearest bin).<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t just a case of best practice; it\u2019s a necessity. It\u2019s the law<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Our Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Training<\/a> covers the sources of microorganisms and how infectious bacteria transfer between hosts. Learners will understand the process of preventing infections from spreading.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When you work in a risky environment like a healthcare setting or work with animals, you must act as if everything you handle and clean is infectious. Because at a first glance, it\u2019s impossible to tell the difference between what\u2019s gross (but harmless) and what\u2019s carrying a disease.<\/p>\n However, in some settings you\u2019ll be told which waste materials are categorically carrying infection<\/strong> \u2013 and in a dangerous amount<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is referred to as highly infectious waste.<\/p>\n Highly infectious waste is usually only present in controlled environments<\/strong>: where microbial organisms are deliberately allowed to multiply (for example in laboratories). But it also refers to the body fluids of people known to be carrying highly infectious diseases<\/strong>, which may be present in a medical setting.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll need to work around highly infectious waste, but if you do you\u2019ll be given explicit instructions specific to your premises for handling and disposing of it.<\/p>\n You can guess what happens when you don\u2019t dispose of infectious waste properly: people are at greater risk of harm.<\/p>\n According to the WHO<\/a>, 85% of waste generated by healthcare settings is general, non-hazardous waste. But 15% is potentially infectious<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This waste could contain harmful organisms that, if given opportunity, may infect other patients, staff, and the general public \u2013 and spread beyond your premises. It is a huge risk to vulnerable people in a medical setting<\/strong>, i.e. those already ill, new-borns, and the elderly: infections hit them with even greater force.<\/p>\n Improper disposal could even result in the release of a drug-resistant disease<\/strong> into the environment, which can spread to people unaware of effective infection control and become difficult to contain.<\/p>\n Needles and syringes not disposed of properly can cause a\u00a0sharps-inflicted injury<\/strong> and transfer an infection. The WHO states that someone who experiences one needle stick injury from a needle used on an infected patient has a 30%, 1.8%, and 0.3% risk of contracting HBV, HCB, and HIV respectively.<\/p>\n The environment could also suffer due to improper disposal \u2013 it could cause poisoning and pollution<\/strong> through waste water or toxic elements or compounds released during incineration of infectious waste.<\/p>\n First and foremost: follow any training provided on how to safely dispose of materials in your premises. Your setting may have specific procedures in place with which you should be familiar, and may provide you with specific equipment and substances for sanitisation and disposal.<\/p>\n Infections spread easily through physical contact; hands are one of the most common vehicles of infectious bacteria.<\/p>\n You must wear protective gloves when handling waste.<\/strong> Do not touch anything other than the infectious waste once you have put them on, and make sure you remove<\/a> and dispose of them hygienically once you\u2019re done. Dispose of them like you would any other infectious waste unless told otherwise.<\/p>\n Also, cover your body as much as possible. This is especially important if you have any open wounds (even a tiny cut on your hand could be enough for entry). Properly dress wounds with sterile plasters or bandages.<\/p>\n A quick wipe down of a surface may look like it\u2019s removed all infectious substances, but microorganisms are guaranteed to linger if it hasn\u2019t been sterilised.<\/p>\n Be sure to isolate the area, use suitable cleaning substances such as a chlorine releasing agent, bleach, hot water, and detergent, and dispose of all materials used to remove the substance (including gloves) hygienically and safely.<\/p>\n Be sure to sanitise your hands afterwards (yes; even if you were wearing gloves.)<\/p>\n Your setting will have certain procedures for moving, removing, or destroying infectious materials. Consider all stages: from storage, through handling and bagging, to transportation and laundering.<\/p>\n Whatever waste you are handling, it\u2019s imperative that you follow the procedures instructed of you and minimise direct contact. This ensures you break a link in the chain of infection and stop the spread of infectious diseases.<\/p>\n Ever wondered what methods can be used for disposal of infectious waste? Learn the importance of safe cleaning practices & how to effectively conduct them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":29219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[94],"class_list":["post-14292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-safety","tag-health-and-hygiene"],"acf":{"schema_disabled":false,"schema_properties_FAQPage_question_answer":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_tools":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_supplies":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_steps":null,"schema_properties_WebPage_cssSelector":null,"schema_sameAs_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_override":false},"yoast_head":"\n
\nWhat is Infectious Waste?<\/h2>\n
Infectious waste is anything contaminated with human and\/or animal:<\/h4>\n
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\nHighly Infectious Waste<\/h2>\n
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\nImproper Disposal of Medical Waste<\/h2>\n
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\nSafe Disposal of Medical Waste<\/h2>\n
General steps for safe disposal:<\/h3>\n
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Wearing protective equipment<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\nCleaning contaminated surfaces<\/h4>\n
Proper sanitation or disposal<\/h4>\n
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\nFurther Resources<\/h3>\n
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