How to Remove Infectious Waste

Infectious waste refers to any waste that could impart a contagious disease. This mainly includes bodily substances such as, urine, feces, vomit and blood etc. Handling infectious waste is a serious matter and requires several precautions to ensure physical safety. When handling infectious waste your first priority is personal safety, if you cannot ensure your own safety, call a supervisor or a professional for assistance. Practice good hygiene and common sense when dealing with infectious waste to avoid contamination.

Things You'll Need

• Apron or gown (made of moisture resistant material)
• Mask
• Puncture resistant gloves
• Eye protection
• Puncture proof containers and/or bio-hazardous waste disposal bags
• Disinfectant
• Anti-septic soap

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Instructions

• 1

  Cover your body and clothing by putting on a gown or apron. It's especially important to cover your body if you have any small cuts or open wounds, before handling infectious waste. Cover your face with a mask and wear eye protection. Cover your hands with puncture proof gloves.

• 2

  Gather the infectious waste carefully, without spilling or splashing, into proper containers; for instance, sharp objects such as used needles or infected glass shards should be placed into a puncture proof plastic container, whereas blood or liquids should be placed into a bio hazardous waste disposal bag. Label the contents of the container clearly for proper disposal.

• 3

  Disinfect the contaminated area thoroughly once the waste has been cleaned. Segregate the infectious waste from other non-hazardous and non-infectious waste.

• 4

  Dispose of the waste through a certified waste disposal facility for infectious waste. The facility will make use of incineration, stream sterilization and other approved methods to properly and safely dispose of the infectious waste you collected.

• 5

  Remove and properly dispose of you apron or gown, mask, and puncture proof gloves. Wash your hands thoroughly with anti-septic soap.