Replace Medical Waste Bins: When & Why
Medical waste adds up to huge volumes in a busy facility. Tissue samples, needles, lancets and soiled linens are just the start of the discard pile. Facilities remain sanitary and safe by adding containers to the building that can secure these hazardous items. These receptacles are used so much that their features are often overlooked. Learn about medical waste bins and when it’s time to replace them in the workplace. Hazards increase with damaged receptacles in any facility.
Fastener Troubles
Call your medical hazardous waste disposal company when bins are detaching from the wall. These bins have secure fasteners that connect to the thick plastic. However, the connection to the wall may decline over time.
The professionals verify if the bin itself is damaged or just the fasteners. Repairs or a replacement must be completed before using the bin again. An improperly fastened bin might fall to the ground. The contents may spill out, which compromises the entire facility’s sanitary regulations.
Damaged Wheels
In contrast, other medical waste bins sit idly on the floor. They often have wheels so that they’re maneuverable around a hospital or clinic. Damaged wheels pose problems, however. Workers should not have to strain to push or pick up the receptacle. They could injure themselves or damage the container even further.
Most disposal companies will replace these bins while the wheels are being serviced elsewhere. If you notice any wheels causing problems, notify the servicing company. They might make a special trip to cover this concern. Losing just one receptacle in a medical facility can lead to mishandling issues that pose health risks to both employees and patients.
Seam Separation
A subtle yet concerning issue that arises with medical waste containers is seam separation. The plastic containers are incredibly strong, but they can break down over time. Each bin should have a sturdy appearance with 90-degree angles at the corners. Containers with bowing sides or collapsed sections cannot be used. Ask the disposal company to remove and replace these bins. Although seam separation is an irregular problem, it creates hazards if they ultimately break open.
Locking Concerns
Biohazard Sharps containers have locking mechanisms. Items placed in this type of bin are meant to stay in the bin until pickup. A broken lock poses several hazards. Medical workers might accidentally knock the bin over, which causes items to spill out of the receptacle. Curious patients can open the bin to look inside. Medical hazardous waste disposal professionals should be the only ones accessing these locked containers.
Notify the waste professionals when you observe any locking problems. A swap should be performed immediately to keep the area safe.
Damaged Bags in Medical Waste Bins
Your receptacles may be in good shape, but the liner bags are questionable. When you receive your red bags marked for medical waste, inspect the box for damage. Utility knife slices are particularly concerning when it comes to plastic bag use.
Return any bags that have damages. Small, pinpricks are even hazardous because of possible exposure to the surrounding air. Although only soft items belong in the plastic bags, microbes can exit the area through an opening to the outside world.
Experienced personnel in the medical hazardous waste disposal business will notify you of any concerns as they make their rounds. They pull and replace damaged medical waste bins. The professionals at MedSharps are highly skilled in the quality check steps that are performed during their pickup appointments so keep them in mind for future needs. Safe waste disposal should always be a priority in the healthcare industry.
