Minimise the risk of spreading infection when transporting and storing health and care related waste

This standard concerns the transportation of healthcare waste, including sharps, from the place of storage either on-site or off-site to a place of final destruction. This standard applies to all health and social care environments, including in the community and domiciliary settings and ambulance vehicles/stations.

Healthcare waste is produced as a result of healthcare activities and includes potentially hazardous substances that may cause infection to any person coming into contact with them. You should follow the national regulations and policies, including descriptions of types of waste that apply to your country.

Cleaning and disinfecting are the terms that are used in this standard however in some areas the term 'decontamination' is used. Decontamination is an umbrella term which incorporates cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising as appropriate.

The standard should be used alongside relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols.

Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies.

1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. use appropriate personal protective equipment when you are handling, transporting or storing healthcare waste in accordance with organisational procedures
6. ensure all waste receptacles are fit for purpose and in accordance with current legislation
7. handle all waste receptacles with care to minimise the risks of breaking or tearing
8. ensure receptacles are securely sealed, and correctly labeled, documented, colour-coded or tagged for the category and origin of the waste they contain, using recognised codes in accordance with organisational procedures
9. remove receptacles from the environment in accordance with organisational procedures
10. make the area safe and clean/disinfect immediately in accordance with organisational procedures in the event of spillage
11. transport the receptacles to a designated area in accordance with current legislation, without opening them, avoiding contact with clean surfaces
12. segregate waste in storage and store all waste receptacles in an upright position
13. ensure any trolleys or vehicles you have used to transport the waste are cleaned, with or without disinfection after use and check that they are in good working order before re-use, isolating and reporting any that are not
14. remove personal protective equipment, discarding any single use equipment in an appropriate waste receptacle, clean or disinfect any re-usable equipment ready for re-use
15. perform effective hand hygiene
16. ensure waste is not left accessible to unauthorised persons or pests
17. report any adverse events, incidents or accidents concerning the storage and/or transportation of healthcare waste immediately, following organisational procedures
18. dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures
19. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

1.     the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere

2.     the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role

3.     how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information

4.     specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability

5.     the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others

6.     the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these

7.     the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others

8.     relevant standard infection prevention and control precautions, national legislation/guidance and local policies/procedures

9.     regulations and guidelines concerning hazardous substances

10.  the chain of infection

11.  hierarchy of control

12.  the key moments of hand hygiene

13.  how approaches in clinical and social environments may differ

14.  how to access facilities for hand hygiene

15.  effective techniques for maintaining hand hygiene

16.  how to safely put on, remove and dispose of personal protective equipment

17.  how to handle and dispose of sharps safely

18.  how to handle all waste receptacles with care to minimise the risks of breaking or tearing including

• hold them away from your body to avoid contamination or injury
• handle bags by the neck only
• correct moving and handling techniques
• use appropriate trolleys, vehicles and equipment specifically designed for transporting waste, where it is available

19.  how to segregate different types of waste safely using the colour-coded bags and waste receptacles available and the correct use of each

20.  how to clean, with or without disinfection following leakages or spills

21.  principles of secure storage of healthcare waste

22.  how and when to report any issues

23.  how to dispose of waste in accordance with organisational procedures

24.  how to complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements