UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
INSTRUCTOR GUIDE
MODULE 12:LABELING , HANDLING , AND COLLECTION OF HEALTHCARE WASTE
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
MODULE 12: LABELING, HANDLING, AND COLLECTION OF HEALTHCARE WASTE
Estimated Time
Module Overview
Learning Objectives
Target Audience
Instructor Preparation
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Lecture: 45 minutes
Activity: 1 hour
Describe appropriate labeling, handling and collection procedures for wastes,
particularly infectious and sharps wastes
 Present the steps in developing a collection system
 Describe methods of bag closure
 Describe ways for handling common problems
 Describe the requirements for labeling
 Describe the requirements for handling and collection of different types of waste
 Know the steps in developing a collection system
 Demonstrate proper methods of bag closure, handling and collection
 Demonstrate procedures for dealing with common problems
Note: intended audience will vary, see Teacher’s Notes for first slide
 HCWM coordinators
 Healthcare waste workers (Note: Presentation slides should be adjusted to fit the
needs of waste workers.)
 Healthcare professionals
 Make notes pages of PowerPoint slides to hand out to class
 Make copies of optional class exercise for distribution after PowerPoint
presentation
 Read Chapter 7 in Blue Book, and other materials included in the References
 Make copies of any additional documents/readings that may be handed out to class,
such as those included in the References
 Research country-specific guidelines for handling and collection
 Prepare any additional notes to be discussed during the presentation
 Prepare any additional discussion points or review questions
 Facility/ward/location specific floor plans.
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
Materials Needed
Student Preparation
Review Questions
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Projector
Student handouts: slides, exercise, homework
Flip chart and marker pens and/or board and chalk
Facility floor plans
Blue Book Chapter 7
Think about labeling, handling, and collection procedures in your country and
facility
What are some procedures and protocols in place in your facility for handling and
collecting wastes?
Are there different guidelines set up for different types of wastes – infectious,
chemical, etc.?
Do you know about country-specific guidelines for handling and collection?
How does your facility deal with the removal of wastes?
What labeling process do you follow?
What are some of the weaknesses and strengths of your current system?
How can existing practices be improved?
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
PRESENTATION
Slide Number/Title
Teacher’s Notes
Slide 1: Title Slide
This module should be adapted for different participants depending on how
responsibilities are divided. For example, the slides on proper bag closure are appropriate
for the waste generators (health professionals such as nurses and doctors) and/or the
waste workers, depending on who has the responsibility for sealing the bags. Slides that
relate to segregation and labeling are appropriate for the waste generators. Slides on waste
handling are appropriate for the waste workers and their supervisors. In general, slides on
waste collection are appropriate for both waste generators and waste workers. The slides
on the steps in developing a collection system are appropriate for the department
supervisors, supervisors of the waste workers, healthcare waste management committee,
and staff interested in participating in the development of HCWM plans. The slides on
handling common problems should be used for all participants in order to sensitize
everyone about the problems.
Slide 2: Module Overview
Introduce the outline and major points of the presentation
Slide 3: Learning Objectives
Describe what participants will learn at the end of this module.
Slide 4: Steps in Healthcare
Waste Management
Slide 5: Waste Labeling
This module focuses on handling and collection.
A routine program for infectious waste labeling should be established as part of a
healthcare waste management plan.
Ideally, waste bags bags and containers should be labelled with the date, type of waste and
point of generation to allow it to be tracked through to disposal. Where possible, weight
should also be routinely recorded. Anomalies between departments with similar medical
services or over time at one location can show up differences in recycling opportunities or
problems such as poor segregation and diversion of waste for unauthorized reuse.
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
Slide 6: Waste Handling
A routine program for waste handling should be established as part of a healthcare waste
management plan.
Slide 7: Waste Handling
Body mechanics refers to the way we move during every day activities. Good body
mechanics may also protect your body, especially your back, from pain and injury. Using
good body mechanics is important.
Having your body in the right position helps protect your back and allows you to use your
body in a safe way. Injury to the spine may cause problems such as a loss of feeling,
movement, and strength, and could also lead to loss of body functions.
When lifting an object:
Test the weight.
Get in a stable position by having your feet apart in a standing position.
Your back should be kept straight.
Lower your body to get close to the object by bending from your hips and knees. DO NOT
bend at the waist.
Keeping your knees bent and your back straight, lift the object using your arm and leg
muscles. Do not use your back muscles.
Tighten your stomach muscles when lifting.
Do not bend and twist your body at the same time.
When turning, rotate your whole body, not just your back.
Repeat the same movements when setting the object down.
For heavy objects, use wheeled carts, safety belts and other equipment to help you move
the object or ask another person to help you.
Slide 8: Waste Collection
A routine program for infectious waste collection should be established as part of a
healthcare waste management plan.
General, non-hazardous wastes should not be collected at the same time or in the same
trolley as infectious or other hazardous wastes
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
Slide 9: Steps for Developing a
Waste Collection System
The first step towards effective waste management is identification of sources producing
the waste within hospital premises. This is required both at the macro level, where the
community of regulating boards identify institutions that generate healthcare waste, and
within the institutions, where the administration identifies activities and points that
generate such waste. This identification helps the managers to focus their resources and
efforts for effective waste management.
Within the healthcare organization, waste may be produced in the wards, laboratories,
injection room, outpatient departments, offices of the medical practitioners, pharmacy,
radiology department and any other place where any diagnostic, therapeutic or research
activity are undertaken.
Appropriate containers or bag holders should be placed in all locations where particular
categories of waste may be generated. Collection should be daily for most wastes with
collection timed to fit with the pattern of waste generation at each location. Instructions on
waste separation and identification should be posted at each waste collection point to
remind staff of the procedures.
Slide 10: Some Considerations
When Scheduling Collection
Times
Slide 11: Infectious Waste
Containers
Slide 12: Infectious Waste
Collection
Describe properties of the ideal infectious waste collection containers
Slide 13: Proper Bag Closure
Techniques for proper bag closure
Slide 14: Proper Bag Closure
Twist the open end and tie the end into one knot. (Do not tie alternate corners into knots.
This will not appropriately close the bag.)
Where possible, waste generated on the wards should be stored in dirty utility rooms,
which are designated for cleaning equipment, dirty linen, and waste. From here the waste
can be collected and transported to the central storage facility. If dirty utility rooms are not
available, then the waste can be stored in the wards at designated and labeled areas in the
ward.
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
Swan-neck method: Twist the open end and then fold it over into a “gooseneck” or swanneck, and then seal over the neck using a twist-tie or tape.
Self-locking or twist ties: Seal tightly when using self-locking twist ties. Be careful of loose
twist ties which can slide off when the bag is carried.
Slide 15: Bag Removal and
Replacement
Slide 16: Collection of Sharps
Where possible, weight should also be routinely recorded.
Slide 17: Chemical Waste
Collection
Chemicals should never be disposed of down the drain; they should be stored in strong
leak-proof containers and clearly labeled.
Slide 18: Pharmaceutical Waste
Collection
Slide 19: Radioactive Waste
Collection
Techniques for proper sharps collection
Specialist disposal services should handle and collect radioactive wastes. If no such
services are available, waste may be stored in radiation-proof repositories for natural
decaying.
Slide 20: Discussion
You may want to wait until the end to generate discussion with these questions
Slide 21: How to Handle
Improperly Segregated Waste
Slide 22: How to Handle Leaking
Bags or Containers
Slide 23: How to Handle
Overfilled Bags
Slide 24: How to Handle an
Overfilled Sharps Container
Recommended actions for handling improperly segregated waste
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
Slide 25: Overfilling Waste
Container
Ask participants about overfilling waste containers:
Why does this occur?
How can it be prevented?
Slide 26: Overfilling Sharps
Container
Ask participants about overfilling sharps containers:
Why does this occur?
How can it be prevented?
Slide 27: Country specific
requirements
Slide 28: Discussion
References (in order as they
appear in slides)
Add information here about the country specific guidelines or requirements for labeling,
handling, and collection of healthcare wastes.
Involve class in a discussion of review questions.
Blue Book
Office of Environmental Health & Safety: Back Safety and Lifting Techniques.
http://www.vcu.edu/oehs/fire/safetytech.html
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UNDP GEF Project on Global Healthcare Waste
ACTIVITY: MODULE 12: EXERCISE (1 HOUR)
The purpose of this activity is for the participants to plan the selection of proper containers and the placement of single or
combinations of containers at appropriate locations in a health facility.
Instructor: Break class into groups of three or more, and distribute exercise at beginning of class. You may group participants
by facility, department, or job type. Participants will complete the activity in groups and record their answers in the floor plan.
Instructor should record participant/group responses on a wipe board, flip chart, or transparency, categorize their responses.
Alternatively, let the participants in each group share their floor plan.
Instructor will go over the responses, once again, during the de-brief.
MODULE 12 EXERCISE: I DEAL FLOOR PLAN
Instructor should provide the floor plan for facility specific locations/wards or ask participants to identify a location in the
facility and draw a floor plan. Participants will then have to identify the hazards in this location and then mark the placement
of containers on the map created. An ideal floor plan that must include:
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the appropriate selection,
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color-coding,
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labeling,
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marking, and
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placement of waste bags and containers
De-brief
Each group will present their ideal floor plan and receive feedback from the rest of the class and the instructor.
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