When it comes to medical waste, most people comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and their Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. But are you aware that there are many other agencies and laws that all medical waste disposal services Midlothian Virginia must follow? Going against the laid down rules and regulations can be costly. Apart from the hefty fines, your business will be given a bad image.
Medical waste, if not properly handled and disposed of, does not only pose risks to staffs and patients in healthcare facilities but also the general public. On the federal level, other agencies with laws and regulations to follow regarding the handling of medical waste include the following
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) – which focus on the packaging and shipping of wastes.
- The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) – which focuses on how controlled substances are being handled and disposed of
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – which focuses on protecting human health and the environment
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission –with practices on how best to manage radioactive waste
- OSHA – which focuses on workers safety handling and labeling of waste
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – with a focus on the best disposal method for unused medications
However, proper enforcement of these laws depends on the state government’s level of involvement. Many states have their own laws with regards to regulating medical waste. Complying with these laws is paramount, as going contrary to what’s written in the law books can be damaging.
It is, however, important to note that medical waste is not generated by healthcare facilities alone. Businesses in other industry such as manufacturing, hospitality, transportation, education, cleaning services, and department stores also generate a certain amount of medical waste. If any of these businesses fail to comply with the rules and regulations guiding the disposal of medical waste, they will not only be sanctioned but also be made to pay the price.
The consequences of going contrary to standard medical waste disposal procedures can be severe. The improper handling and disposal of medical waste do not only attract fines; it can hurt the reputation of a business. Not only that, it exposes workers, patients, customers, and the general public and not forgetting to mention the environment to potential risk. Professional medical waste disposal services Midlothian Virginia can help dispose of your medical waste properly.