Segregation, Packaging and Labelling of Clinical Waste for Major Producers
Segregation
Clinical waste should be segregated from municipal solid waste or other waste streams at the point of arising. Different groups of clinical waste should be handled differently according to their packaging requirements as specified in the Code of Practice. A sufficient number of appropriate and dedicated containers for holding clinical waste should be placed adjacent to the locations where clinical waste is generated so as to facilitate the segregation.
Clinical waste should be put into appropriate containers as quickly as possible so as to avoid contaminating other materials and to minimize potential human exposure. Containers for holding clinical waste should be covered by secure lids.
Packaging
General Requirements
Clinical waste must be placed in containers that are leak-proof, impervious to moisture and strong enough to prevent tearing or bursting under normal handling. Such containers should be of one-trip type and should not be reused. They should be capable of being sealed in a manner that can prevent spillage of the contents during transportation.
The containers should be in good condition and free from contamination, damage or any other defects which may impair their safe and secure use. A waste producer should carry out visual inspection of such containers to determine their condition before they are used.
Types of Containers
Different groups of clinical waste should be placed in the appropriate types of containers in accordance with Table 1. All containers should be securely closed and sealed in accordance with the Code of Practice before collection.
Group 1 clinical waste should be put into sharps boxes. Group 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 clinical wastes should be put into either heavy duty plastic bags or plastic drums that are strong enough to hold the waste without any leakage or breakage. Plastic drums should be used for clinical waste containing liquids.
Group 2, 4, 5 and 6 clinical wastes may be placed together in the same bag/drum. Group 3 clinical waste should be placed in separate bags/drums and should not be mixed with any other groups of clinical waste.
Table 1: Packaging Requirements for Different Groups of Clinical Waste.
|
Groups of Clinical Waste |
Type(s) of Container | Colour | Sealing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 - Used or contaminated sharps | Sharps box | YELLOW or combination of WHITE YELLOW | Proprietary closure |
| Group 3 - Human and animal tissues | Heavy duty plastic bag | YELLOW | Plastic tie |
| Plastic drum | YELLOW | Proprietary closure / tape | |
|
Group 2 - laboratory Waste Group 4 - Infectious materials Group 5 - Dressings Group 6 -Other wastes |
Heavy duty plastic bag | RED | Plastic tie |
| Plastic drum | RED | Proprietary closure / tape |
Specifications for Different Types of Containers
The design, materials and construction of different types of containers for clinical waste should follow the specifications set out in Code of Practice. Read More.
Colour-Coding of Packaging
To enable easy and unique identification of clinical waste which is essential for subsequent handling by licensed collectors and operators of licensed disposal facilities, the packaging of clinical waste should follow the colour-coding specified in Table 1.
Sealing of Containers
Containers of clinical waste should not be filled above the warning line indicating between 70% and 80% of their maximum volume before sealing. The packaging and sealing should be conducted with care to ensure that no clinical waste adheres to the external surface of the containers.
Sharps boxes should be properly sealed by the proprietary closure whereas plastic drums by the proprietary closure or tape as appropriate. Plastic bags should be sealed by tying the neck securely to prevent spillage. The swan-neck sealing method as shown in Figure 1 is recommended.
Figure 1: Sealing Method for Clinical Waste Bags.
No staple or unprotected metallic wire tie should be used for sealing or tagging of plastic bags with clinical waste, so as to prevent injury to waste handlers and damage to other bags. Metallic wire tie fully wrapped with plastic is acceptable for use in sealing plastic bags.
Plastic drums containing clinical waste with liquids should be securely sealed to prevent spillage. Absorbent materials may be added into the containers to prevent seepage of liquids as appropriate.
Labelling
Every container of clinical waste must bear a label as specified in Code of Practice. The label must be securely affixed or pre-printed on a prominent position of the container which allows the information on the label to be read easily. It is recommended to affix or pre-print a label on each of the opposite sides of the container wherever practicable.
Waste bags with pre-printed Clinical Waste label
In addition, each container should be marked using BLACK indelible ink, or a tag should be securely attached, to show the origin of the waste (i.e. the name and address of waste producer) and the date of sealing.
If a bag holder (e.g. an ordinary type rubbish bin) is used for holding the plastic bag which is in use, it should be in good condition and should follow the same labelling requirements as for the plastic bag itself. The colour of the bag holder should preferably be the same as that of the bag for easy identification. Read More.
Special Considerations for Handling Chemical Waste Arising from Medical and Dental Sources
Certain clinical waste may contain chemical residues which are classified as chemical waste. In such cases, the chemical residues should be segregated from the clinical waste at source wherever it is practicable. For example, broken thermometer containing mercury should be segregated from other clinical waste. Chemical waste arising from medical and dental sources does not fall within the definition of clinical waste. Disposal of such waste is subject to the Waste Disposal Ordinance and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
If the chemical waste contains or is contaminated with any clinical waste, pre-treatment measures should be taken as far as practicable to render the waste non-infectious before it is collected by a licensed chemical waste collector.
Handing and On-Site Storage of Clinical Waste for Major Producers
Transfer to On-Site Storage Area
General Requirements
For hospitals and other large institutions such as university campus, clinical waste containers after being properly sealed and labelled should be transferred from the place of waste generation to an on-site storage area for temporary storage before collection. The containers should be handled with care and should not be left unattended during the transfer of the waste.
Trolleys or Carts Used for the Transfer of Clinical Waste
Dedicated trolleys and carts should be used for the transfer of clinical waste on the premises. They should be designed and constructed according to the following specifications :
- The surfaces should be smooth, with no rough or sharp edges (which may damage the packaging of clinical waste);
- Impermeable materials should be used and the design should provide containment of any spillage of waste which may occur in transit;
- The trolleys or carts should be easily cleaned and drained; and
- The overall design should allow the bags and containers to be properly retained in the trolleys or carts, and to be safely loaded/unloaded and handled without difficulty.
The trolleys and carts should be cleaned at the end of each working day and thoroughly disinfected at regular intervals.
Storage of Clinical Waste
Provision of On-site Storage Area
Waste producers should provide suitable and adequate area for temporary on-site storage of clinical waste. The storage area should be located close to the sources of waste generation so as to minimize waste handling and to facilitate management control.
The storage area should be enclosed on at least three sides by wall, partition or fence. The enclosures should be rigidly erected and fixed to the area. An illustration of a storage area layout is shown in Figure 2. Depending on the waste generation quantity, a small lockable cupboard as shown in Figure 3 can also be used. Where possible, all clinical waste should be contained in transit skips inside the storage area.
Figure 2 Schematic Drawing of a Storage Area for Clinical Waste
Figure 3 Schematic Drawing of a Clinical Waste Storage Cupboard.Specifications of Storage Area
The design of storage area will depend on the quantity and types of clinical waste involved. In all cases, the storage area should be designed to meet the following requirements and specifications:
- Used for storage of clinical waste only;
- With an adequate capacity to cater for the quantity of waste produced and the frequency of waste collection;
- Exhibiting a warning sign on the external surface of the vertical structure of the area at or near its entrance. A warning sign is shown in Figure 4;
- Protecting the integrity of the waste packaging;
- Protecting the waste containers therein from the weather (wind, rain, flooding, etc);
- With cover and lockable door to prevent access by unauthorized persons, animals, birds, and free from rodent and insect infestations;
- With adequate ventilation and lighting;
- Sited on a well-drained, impervious hard-standing area provided with wash down facilities, or as a lockable room or cupboard which can be cleaned and disinfected;
- Installed away from any air-intake of building ventilation;
- Not adjacent to any food stores or food preparation areas; and
- Accessible to waste collection vehicles where possible.
Refrigeration of Clinical Waste
Clinical waste that may rapidly decompose (e.g. waste containing human or animal tissues) should be stored under refrigeration to prevent nuisance such as obnoxious odour.
Other Requirements
Where any clinical waste with liquids is stored, the storage area should be designed to be capable of containing any spillage of liquids. The area should be cleaned and disinfected promptly and thoroughly in case any waste spillage occurs.
Clinical waste containers should not be compacted to avoid damaging their packaging when placed in the storage area. Stacking of bagged clinical waste should also be avoided as far as possible to avoid damage to the bags.
Collection Point
Subject to the authorization granted by EPD, a waste producer may use his premises where he produces clinical waste (e.g. hospital, clinic, medical laboratory) to provide temporary storage area as an “on-site collection point”, for receiving clinical waste generated by him in other premises or delivered by other small waste producers.
Waste producers who intend to set up on-site collection points must obtain authorization from EPD and follow such terms and conditions specified in the authorization. The objective is to minimize the risks of pollution to the environment and the danger to public health that might be caused by the operation of these collection points.
Licensed collectors may also set up collection points for clinical waste if they are authorized to do so under their waste collection licences. The operation of such collection points must meet the requirements specified in the licence.
The delivery of clinical waste from the premises of other small waste producers to the collection point must be conducted by healthcare professionals in accordance with the requirements set out in the Code of Practice. A waste producer who operates an on-site collection point must check and confirm the professional identity of the person who delivers the waste. The operator of an on-site collection point must prepare and issue a copy of the record of waste delivery to the person who delivers the waste. The operator of an on-site collection point must also keep the record and produce it to EPD staff for inspection upon request. The Clinical Waste Trip Ticket has incorporated design to suit this record keeping requirement.
Collection and Transportation of Clinical Waste for Major Producers
Look for licensed clinical waste collectors
Collection Service
Collection of clinical waste to a licensed disposal facility must be conducted by licensed collectors in accordance with the requirements specified in waste collection licences and in full compliance with the Regulation.
Transit skips as specified in the Code of Practice should be used to collect clinical waste from waste producers. Licensed collectors should check and ensure proper packaging, sealing and labelling of the waste containers with reference to the relevant requirements set out in this Code before placing them into transit skips. Group 3 clinical waste (Human and Animal Tissues) should be put into dedicated transit skips without mixing with other groups of clinical waste. If the clinical waste has already been placed into transit skips during storage by waste producers as in the case of some hospitals, licensed collectors should ensure the transit skips are securely closed and fastened and properly labelled before collecting the skips.
Under normal circumstances, no clinical waste should be transferred from one transit skip to another during waste collection. Where the premises of certain waste producers are not accessible to the transit skips, it would be acceptable to use smaller skips to collect clinical waste from these waste producers and transfer the waste to the transit skips. Such transfer operation is governed by the terms and conditions of the waste collection licence.
Frequency of Collection
The frequency of collection should be agreed between waste producer and licensed collector with due account of the nature and quantity of clinical waste generated. In order to minimize potential health hazards, prolonged storage of clinical waste should be avoided. Guidelines on the collection frequency for different groups of clinical waste are set out in Table 2.
Table 2: Collection Frequencies for Different Groups of Clinical Waste.
| Groups of Waste | Collection Frequency |
|---|---|
| Group 1 - Used and contaminated sharps | Once every 2 weeks* |
|
Group 2 - Laboratory waste Group 5 – Dressings |
Daily* |
| Group 3 - Human and animal tissues |
Daily (At least once every 10 days if stored below 5oC; monthly if stored below 0oC) |
| Group 4 - Infectious materials | Daily |
| Group 6 - Other wastes | Collected together with other groups of clinical waste or as soon as practicable |
| * At places where waste is generated in very small quantity, a lower collection frequency may be acceptable. | |
Where clinical waste is generated in very small quantities, a longer time interval between the collection trips of the waste is acceptable, up to a maximum of 1 month for Group 1 waste and a maximum of 1 week for Group 2 and 5 wastes.
Transportation of Clinical Waste
Transit Skips
The transit skips used for the collection of clinical waste has been standardized and provided by CWTC. Each skip is marked "CLINICAL WASTE" in English and "醫療廢物" in Chinese, and, for clinical waste requiring refrigeration, “CLINICAL WASTE FOR REFRIGERATION” in English and “冷藏醫療廢物” in Chinese, as well as the international bio-hazard sign in BLACK. Transit skips for Group 3 clinical waste are YELLOW in colour. Each skip bears a unique serial number for easy identification and recording purpose and is displayed in BLACK.
The transit skips are designed to be :
- dedicated for the purpose of storing packaged clinical waste only;
- provided with lids and capable of being fastened;
- proof against spillage of the contents and infiltration of rainwater through the lid or cover;
- proof against harbourage for insects and vermin, and accumulation of clinical waste on edges or in crevices, etc.;
- of multiple-trip type and reusable; and
- capable of being readily disinfected or decontaminated by steam.
The transit skips should be maintained in good condition and in a clean and sanitary state. The covers of transit skips should be closed and fastened at all times except during loading or unloading of clinical waste.
- Loading of Transit Skips
Loading and unloading of transit skips onto and from the collection vehicle should be performed with care. Staff involved should -
be competent, suitably trained, supervised, and authorized to perform such a duty; and wear appropriate protective clothing such as gloves, industrial safety shoes, aprons and masks.
A licensed collector should ensure that the covers of all transit skips are securely closed and fastened before loading the skips onto a collection vehicle. The door of the cargo compartment of the vehicle should be securely locked at all times except during movements.
- Collection Vehicle/Vessel
Transportation of transit skips should be undertaken only when the covers of skips are securely closed and fastened. All transit skips whether loaded or not should be secured against movement inside the collection vehicle to avoid skidding or falling during transportation.
Transportation by road should be undertaken by dedicated vehicles only in accordance with the conditions specified in the waste collection licence. Vehicles employed for the transportation of clinical waste should have the following features:
- Equipped with mechanical handling equipment to enable the transit skips to be loaded and unloaded with minimal manual effort and human contact with the skips;
- Capable of providing secure retention of transit skips when travelling, and maintaining skips in a good and sanitary condition;
- Comprise either a fully enclosed lorry having a separated cab, or a unitary vehicle in which the driver’s cab is permanently separated from the cargo compartment by a sealed fixed bulkhead;
- The cargo compartment should be provided with adequate lighting and ventilation, lockable doors, spillage-proof and capable of being hygienically cleaned and disinfected;
- Equipped with a tool kit for minor repairs;
- Equipped with sufficient safety gear, decontamination and cleaning equipment and materials for dealing with spillage (e.g. personal protective clothing, spare plastic bags and sharps boxes, disinfectant, absorbent granules, brushes, mops, shovels and buckets); and
- Equipped with suitable equipment such as mobile telephone to facilitate communication with disposal facility operator and the Environmental Protection Department.
A proper warning panel should be displayed at both the front and rear ends of the vehicle to indicate the carriage of clinical waste.
At least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 2 kg of dry powder, or other suitable extinguisher with an equivalent test fire rating of at least 5A and 34B as defined in British Standard BS EN 3-7:2004, should be provided in the vehicle at an accessible location.
Vehicles employed to collect, remove or transport clinical waste should be -
- maintained in sound condition and roadworthy and cleaned at least once per week;
- thoroughly cleaned and disinfected immediately following any spillage inside the vehicle or when contaminated with any clinical waste;
- prohibited from carrying food or pharmaceutical products or any materials which require good sanitary conditions;
- prohibited from carrying any material other than clinical waste unless thoroughly cleaned and disinfected beforehand; and
- prohibited from transportation of any other waste, material or substance during the course of the transportation of clinical waste.
Any vehicle being used for the carriage of clinical waste should not be left unattended unless it is properly locked up and safely parked in an isolated location such as an open space separated from public roads and dwellings.
Any marine vessel used for the transportation of transit skips should be equipped with the necessary facilities to store the skips securely and enable the embarkation and disembarkation of the skips in a safe and secure manner. The marine vessel should have similar safety precaution features as for transportation vehicles subject to necessary modifications.
The transportation of clinical waste should be supervised by trained operational personnel to ensure the waste is handled safely and properly.
Delivery of Clinical Waste by Waste Collector to a Licensed Disposal Facility
Licensed collectors must deliver the clinical waste to a licensed disposal facility within 24 hours after collection from waste producers. Once clinical waste is loaded onto a collection vehicle, the waste should stay in the same vehicle until it is delivered to a licensed disposal facility. Transferring clinical waste from one collection vehicle to another should be avoided, unless during the transfer of clinical waste from a vessel to a vehicle (or vice versa) in the transportation of clinical waste from outlying islands, or in the event of accidents or emergencies, or otherwise authorized.
Licensed collectors should liaise in advance with the operator of licensed disposal facility on the appropriate delivery schedule, waste quantity, handling procedures and other arrangements as necessary for the reception of clinical waste by the facility.
If the delivery cannot be made within 24 hours, licensed collectors are required to inform EPD as soon as reasonably practicable as specified in the licence. In such circumstance, licensed collectors should maintain the waste in sanitary conditions and prevent access by the public. Group 3 waste should be refrigerated below 5oC. Licensed collectors should arrange to deliver the clinical waste to a licensed disposal facility as soon as practicable and report to EPD thereafter in writing. Licensed collectors should include in the report such particulars as the quantity of the waste, the date of collection, the reason for failing to deliver the waste to a licensed disposal facility within 24 hours after collection, the particulars and manner in which such waste was stored prior to the delivery to disposal facility, and the date of delivery to disposal facility.
Delivery of Clinical Waste by Healthcare Professionals
Waste producers who are healthcare professionals# may deliver their clinical waste to a collection point or licensed disposal facility. Alternatively, they may ask their employee who is healthcare professional to deliver the waste on their behalf. Under this circumstance, you must obtain the Premises Code and complete the Trip Ticket before the waste delivery. Such waste delivery is subject to fulfilling the following requirements specified in the Regulation :
- The healthcare professional must not carry more than 5 kg of clinical waste at any one time;
- No Group 4 waste may be delivered in this manner;
- Group 1 waste must be packaged in containers that are puncture- resistant, shatter-proof and leak-proof (e.g. sharps boxes);
- Other groups of clinical waste must be packaged in containers that are made of rigid material, impervious to moisture and leak-proof, and that will not rip, tear or burst under normal conditions of handling;
- The clinical waste must be properly packaged to prevent spillage, and the containers must be labelled in accordance with the specifications set out in the Annex C of Code of Practice;
- Only private car## within the meaning of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) must be used as a means of transport in delivering the clinical waste;
- The clinical waste must be delivered directly to a collection point or licensed disposal facility within 24 hours and must not be left unattended during the delivery; and
- Adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment and cleaning equipment (e.g. spare red bags and sharps boxes) for use in case of injury to any person and spillage of clinical waste. Refer to the Annex D of Code of Practice.
__________________________
# Note: A healthcare professional is a :
- registered dentist
- registered medical practitioner
- registered or enrolled nurse
- registered veterinary surgeon
- registered or listed Chinese medicine practitioner
as defined in the various ordinances detailed in the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation.
## Private car means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use solely for the carriage of a driver and not more than 7 passengers and their personal effects but does not include an invalid carriage, motor cycle, motor tricycle or taxi.
Record Keeping for Major Producers
Trip Ticket
For the purpose of keeping track of the waste movements, licensed collectors are required to record and certify on a trip ticket the quantity of clinical waste collected from a waste producer and provide the waste producer with a copy of the trip ticket for each consignment of clinical waste. A waste producer should check the information recorded on the trip ticket prior to handing over his waste to the licensed collector and keep the waste producer copy of the trip ticket as record for the waste consignment.
The licensed collector would pass the trip ticket to the operator of a licensed disposal facility for certification upon delivery of the clinical waste and obtain a certified copy of the ticket (the waste collector copy) for record. The collector must keep copies of the trip tickets, and produce such copies to EPD for inspection upon request as specified in the licence.
Record Keeping by Waste Producers
EPD may require a waste producer to produce records of waste consignment or delivery for inspection as a proof of completing proper disposal. Such records are standardized as trip tickets signed by a licensed collector, or the operator of a collection point or licensed disposal facility. Waste producers must keep such records for 12 months from the date of consignment/delivery.
Furthermore, it is an offence under Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste)(General) Regulation if a person knowingly or recklessly provides incorrect or misleading information or omits information on the trip ticket record.
Clinical Waste Management Plan
Waste producers should develop a Clinical Waste Management Plan to set out the detailed requirements and procedures for proper handling of clinical waste for reference by the staff; and identify a responsible person for co-ordinating the various activities relating to clinical waste management. The responsible person should have relevant experience and appropriate training. He should have sufficient authority to carry out the task of maintaining the necessary standards of safety and good practice for clinical waste management. He should be responsible for all aspects of clinical waste management but may delegate the responsibilities for day-to-day clinical waste management to other trained staff.
The Clinical Waste Management Plan should cover the following areas:
- The statutory requirements for management of clinical waste;
- Sources and types of clinical waste generated on the premises;
- Persons responsible for each element of the clinical waste management system and chains of authority, including their names, contact addresses and telephone numbers;
- Operational and maintenance procedures covering items or equipment used for clinical waste management (e.g. containers, storage areas, transport equipment, safety equipment), and procedures for the handling and management of clinical waste;
- Training programme for all relevant staff;
- Auditing procedures for compliance monitoring;
- Procedures for dealing with emergencies due to spillage, leakage or accidents arising from the handling and storage of clinical waste; and
- Documentation and record keeping, including trip tickets or receipts from licensed collectors and staff records, e.g. training, accident records
A sample framework for a Clinical Waste Management Plan is given in Code of Practice. Waste producers should review and update the content of the Clinical Waste Management Plan regularly.
Clinical Waste Management Plan for Major Producers
Waste producers should develop a Clinical Waste Management Plan to set out the detailed requirements and procedures for proper handling of clinical waste for reference by the staff; and identify a responsible person for coordinating the various activities relating to clinical waste management. The responsible person should have relevant experience and appropriate training. He should have sufficient authority to carry out the task of maintaining the necessary standards of safety and good practice for clinical waste management. He should be responsible for all aspects of clinical waste management but may delegate the responsibilities for day-to-day clinical waste management to other trained staff.
The Clinical Waste Management Plan should cover the following areas:
- The statutory requirements for management of clinical waste;
- Sources and types of clinical waste generated on the premises;
- Persons responsible for each element of the clinical waste management system and chains of authority, including their names, contact addresses and telephone numbers;
- Operational and maintenance procedures covering items or equipment used for clinical waste management (e.g. containers, storage areas, transport equipment, safety equipment), and procedures for the handling and management of clinical waste;
- Training programme for all relevant staff;
- Auditing procedures for compliance monitoring;
- Procedures for dealing with emergencies due to spillage, leakage or accidents arising from the handling and storage of clinical waste; and
- Documentation and record keeping, including trip tickets or receipts from licensed collectors and staff records, e.g. training, accident records.
A sample framework for a Clinical Waste Management Plan is given in the Code of Practice. Waste producers should review and update the content of the Clinical Waste Management Plan regularly.
Segregation, Packaging and Labelling of Clinical Waste for Small Producers
Segregation
Clinical waste should be segregated from municipal solid waste or other waste streams at the point of arising and packaged properly for on-site temporary storage in a safe and secure manner pending delivery to a collection point or licensed disposal facility. Different groups of clinical waste should be handled differently according to their packaging requirements as specified in the Code of Practice.Read More.
Packaging
Containers for packaging of clinical waste must be leak-proof, impervious to moisture and strong enough to prevent tearing or bursting under normal handling to ensure that waste handlers and the public are protected from exposure to the waste. Such containers should be of one-trip type and should not be reused. The containers should be sealed off before leaving the waste producers’ premises. The appropriate types of containers with specified colour-coding for different groups of clinical waste are set out in Table 1.
Table 1: Packaging Requirements for Different Groups of Clinical Waste
| Groups of Clinical Waste | Type(s) of Container | Colour | Sealing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 - Used or contaminated sharps | Sharps box | YELLOW or combination of WHITE YELLOW | Proprietary closure |
| Group 3 - Human and animal tissues | Heavy duty plastic bag | YELLOW | Plastic tie |
|
Group 2 - laboratory Waste Group 4 - Infectious materials Group 5 - Dressings Group 6 - Other wastes |
Heavy duty plastic bag | RED | Plastic tie |
Group 1 Waste – Used or Contaminated Sharps
All used or contaminated sharps should be put into sharps boxes. The specifications of a typical sharps box are given in Code of Practice.
Group 3 Waste – Human and Animal Tissues
Human and animal tissues, organs and body parts should be put into YELLOW plastic bags. Such waste if generated in small quantity may be placed together with other groups of waste in RED plastic bags provided that they would not generate nuisance such as obnoxious odour. Specifications of the plastic bags are provided in Code of Practice.
Other Groups of Clinical Waste
Group 2, 4, 5 and 6 clinical waste may be placed together in RED plastic bags.
Sealing of Containers
Containers of clinical waste should not be filled above the warning line indicating between 70% and 80% of their maximum volume before sealing. The packaging and sealing should be conducted with care to ensure that no clinical waste adheres to the external surface of the containers.
Sharps containers should be properly sealed by the proprietary closure/tape. Plastic bags should be sealed by tying the neck securely to prevent spillage. The swan-neck sealing method as shown in Figure 1 is recommended.
No staple or unprotected metallic wire tie should be used for sealing or tagging of plastic bags with clinical waste, so as to prevent injury to waste handlers and damage to other bags. Metallic wire tie fully wrapped with plastic is acceptable for use in sealing plastic bags. If the clinical waste contains liquids, thermal sealing of the plastic bags is recommended to prevent spillage.
Figure 1: Sealing Method for Clinical Waste Bags.
Labelling
Every container of clinical waste must bear a label as specified in Code of Practice. The label must be securely affixed or pre-printed on a prominent position of the container which allows the information on the label to be read easily. Read More.
Waste bags with pre-printed Clinical Waste label
Storage of Clinical Waste for Small Producers
Waste producers should provide suitable area for temporary storage of clinical waste on the premises from which the waste is generated. A waste producer should not remove any clinical waste from his premises to another place for storage.
Storage area for clinical waste should be designed to prevent unauthorized access and to maintain proper sanitary conditions free of pests and vermin. There should be impermeable sills in the area to contain any leakage or spillage of waste. The area should be adequately ventilated and dedicated for storage of clinical waste only. An example of a small clinical waste storage cupboard is provided in Figure 2.
Prolonged storage of clinical waste on the premises should be avoided. Group 3 waste (Human and Animal Tissues) should be stored under refrigeration to prevent nuisance such as obnoxious odour. Storage of such waste in a preservative agent may also be used. In such circumstances, both the waste and the preservative agent should be disposed of as chemical waste in accordance with the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation. Group 4 waste (Infectious Materials), if any, should be collected for disposal as soon as practicable.
 Figure 2: Schematic Drawing of a Clinical Waste Storage Cupboard. |
Collection and Transportation of Clinical Waste for Small Producers
Look for licensed clinical waste collectors
Collection of Clinical Waste by Licensed Collectors
Clinical waste must not be collected or disposed of together with municipal solid waste or other types of wastes.
Clinical waste must be collected and transported by licensed collectors to licensed disposal facilities for proper disposal. A licensed collector is required to comply with the requirements specified in waste collection licence and in full compliance with the regulatory requirements. A list of licensed collectors is available at this link, which will be updated from time to time.
Licensed collectors may provide services to waste producers for packaging and labelling of clinical waste, including the provision of waste containers (sharps boxes or bags). In such circumstances, the licensed collectors should properly package and label the waste in accordance with the requirements as set out in the Code of Practice before removing the waste from the producers’ premises.
Delivery of Clinical Waste by Healthcare Professionals
Waste producers who are healthcare professionals# may deliver their clinical waste to a collection point or licensed disposal facility. Alternatively, they may ask their employee who is healthcare professional to deliver the waste on their behalf. Under this circumstance, you must obtain the Premises Code and complete the Trip Ticket before the waste delivery. Such waste delivery is subject to fulfilling the following requirements specified in the Regulation :
- The healthcare professional must not carry more than 5 kg of clinical waste at any one time;
- No Group 4 waste may be delivered in this manner;
- Group 1 waste must be packaged in containers that are puncture- resistant, shatter-proof and leak-proof (e.g. sharps boxes);
- Other groups of clinical waste must be packaged in containers that are made of rigid material, impervious to moisture and leak-proof, and that will not rip, tear or burst under normal conditions of handling;
- The clinical waste must be properly packaged to prevent spillage, and the containers must be labelled in accordance with the specifications set out in the Annex C of Code of Practice;
- Only private car## within the meaning of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) must be used as a means of transport in delivering the clinical waste;
- The clinical waste must be delivered directly to a collection point or licensed disposal facility within 24 hours and must not be left unattended during the delivery; and
- Adequate and appropriate first-aid equipment and cleaning equipment (e.g. spare red bags and sharps boxes) for use in case of injury to any person and spillage of clinical waste. Refer to the Annex D of Code of Practice.
__________________________
# Note: A healthcare professional is a :
• registered medical practitioner
• registered or enrolled nurse
• registered veterinary surgeon
• registered or listed Chinese medicine practitioner
as defined in the various ordinances detailed in the Waste Disposal (Clinical Waste) (General) Regulation.
## Private car means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use solely for the carriage of a driver and not more than 7 passengers and their personal effects but does not include an invalid carriage, motor cycle, motor tricycle or taxi.
Record Keeping for Small Producers
Regulation requires that waste producers must keep a record of the clinical waste consigned to a licensed collector or delivered to a collection point or licensed disposal facility, and produce the record to the Director for inspection when so required. To fulfill this, the healthcare operator, the laboratory or other relevant producer should retain the Waste Producer Copy of the Clinical Waste Trip Ticket which clearly includes the following information:
- The date of consignment/delivery;
- The quantity of clinical waste consigned/delivered;
- The address of the premises from which the clinical waste is delivered;
- For consignment to a licensed collector, the name of the licensed collector; and
- For delivery to a collection point or licensed disposal facility, the name of the person who delivers the waste, and the name and address of the collection point or disposal facility.
The waste producers must keep such records for 12 months from the date of consignment/delivery.
Training and Safety Precautions for Small Producers
Waste producers should ensure that their staff receive adequate training in the safe handling of clinical waste, including cleaning-up of spillage. Staff should also be provided with suitable protective equipment to handle clinical waste.
Safety training and briefing to staff
It is a requirement of the Regulation that waste producers should take all such precautions as are necessary for preventing any danger to public health or safety, pollution to the environment and nuisance to the neighbouring area that might be caused by the clinical waste generated on their premises. A person who contravenes this commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $200000 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
Needle-stick injuries are predictable and preventable |
Check and prevent potential problems |