January 5, 2007—A new guide to safely managing waste in the healthcare sector was launched recently by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) Healthcare Specialist Group. The publication, one of a series of the Department’s Health Technical Memoranda, provides practical advice and guidance for waste producers, including the NHS and independent providers of healthcare.
The guidance was produced with the involvement of health authorities throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and information was provided by a broad cross-section of healthcare waste stakeholders including producers, waste management and other contractors, and manufacturers of equipment and supplies.
The document replaces the Health Services Advisory Committee’s guidance document, “Safe disposal of clinical waste” (1999). It was revised and updated to take into account the changes in legislation governing the management of waste, its storage, transport, treatment and disposal, and health and safety.
“Safe Management of Healthcare Waste” is available from IOSH.
