Biohazard Containers: What Makes Them Safe?

Whether you’re a patient or medical professional, everyone has seen medical-waste containers in a clinic or hospital. They were invented for the sole purpose of keeping everyone safe and healthy. These bins are visible in every room, and yet they’re subtle when it comes to shape and design. There are specific features that contribute to the safety surrounding biohazard containers. Explore these design elements to gain a deeper understanding of medical safety and sanitation.

Specialized Plastic

Medical waste management cannot be successful if the containers aren’t strong enough. Safety depends on the containers’ construction. They’re made up of high-density polyethylene. This specialized plastic can take on bumps, strikes, and drops in most cases.

It’s nearly impossible to puncture this plastic. You might have liquids, linens, tissues or sharps in these biohazard containers. Regardless of the stored items, the plastic won’t allow fumes, liquids or penetrations to break through the walls. Safety is defined by this polyethylene material.

Lockable Lids and Covers

Another safety feature involves lockable lids and covers. Snap-on designs and actual locking mechanisms are found on certain containers. For linens and tissues, snap locks keep the items safe from curious hands. These containers can be accessed as medical personnel continue to add in items throughout the day.

Lock-and-key containers are normally confined to sharps items. There’s no reason why anyone should open the container. A receptacle opening is all that’s necessary for sharps containment and eventual pickup.

Spill-Proof Biohazard Containers

Because of the tough material and locking lids, waste containers are spill-proof bins. They’re sturdy containers but tipping them over by accident might occur. A tightly, secured lid ensures that no item or liquid will spill out of the container.

Medical waste management practices require training on both the part of the service providers and medical personnel. No lid should ever be left open on a bin. The simple lock should take a second to secure.

Reusable Materials

In the past, medical waste management companies tossed their bins after every use. This practice was extremely wasteful. Companies often looked for materials that were inexpensive because of the waste factor. Safety may have been compromised as a result.

Today’s containers are reusable. The waste company inspects the bins during every pickup appointment. Workers must inspect the container before sending it back out to a client. Generally, most containers can be used 100 times before they must be replaced.

Sterilized Surfaces

A concern with reusable containers is cleanliness. Medical personnel cannot be exposed to germs that are inadvertently left on the containers’ exteriors. Service providers do not release bins without a thorough, sterilization process.

After removing the hazardous waste, service providers turn to the container as a contaminated item. It’s cleaned and tested. Medical facilities may not receive the same container back for some time. It will be completely clean before being placed back into service.

Simple Construction for Transport

Most waste containers have a box shape although the sizes may vary. This design feature allows the containers to be lined up and transported with ease.

Transport operations must be streamlined so that every facility has a timely pickup and drop-off appointments. This keeps the cost of the service manageable.

A certified, transport company is the best way to handle these biohazard containers on an everyday basis. MedSharps is a business that dedicates its work to the safe management of every medical container. Contract with medical-waste experts to be efficient yet safe when medical waste is involved.