How to Remove Biohazard Waste

The removal of biohazardous waste is essential in any clinical setting. Without properly removing waste material, you can expose yourself and other staff members to coming into contact with unsafe material. All waste must be handled safely, secured appropriately and removed according to medical procedures. Any waste that is considered a threat to humans, whether the waste is tissue, blood products and fluids, human waste, body parts or sharp materials such as needles, needs to be disposed of.

Things You'll Need

• Biohazard bags
• Biohazard waste containers

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Instructions

• 1

  Ensure that your bags are properly labeled.

  Use only bags labeled with a biohazard label on it. According to Berkley Lab, waste bags should be red or clear and have one of the following written on the bag; Biohazardous Waste, a biohazard symbol, or the word biohazard.

• 2

  Red bags are for medical waste.

  Use red biohazard bags for medical waste, which includes human tissues, any fluid containing DNA, toxins, blood products, infectious agents and contaminated labware. Ensure that biohazard bags can contain materials without ripping or tearing.

• 3

  Secure red bags once they become full. Tie or tape the bags and place the bags into a biohazard container. Fill out your accumulation log to help waste removal handlers identify what's contained in the bag.

• 4

  Gloves are to be removed in clear bags.

  Use clear biohazard bags for items such as petri dishes, culture flasks and latex gloves. Tie or tape bags when they become full and proceed with the same procedure as red bag waste removal.

• 5

  Remove syringes appropriately.

  Place sharp items, such as syringes, in containers that are designed for this particular purpose. Don't allow a syringe container to become full, and never throw syringes into bags.