Monkeypox virus transmission by sharps injury
Researchers from Brazil describe the clinical features of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection in a 20-year-old nurse after a needlestick injury she sustained on July 9, 2022. The nurse was collecting […]
hazard
Myanmar’s illegal trade in medical waste poses massive infection risk
Myanmar Now investigation finds waste collectors selling used syringes and intravenous drips to be made into household goods. Two garbage disposal workers spent half an hour rummaging through mounds of […]
Scottish Environment Protection Agency on storage and treatment of healthcare waste
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) is consulting on the storage and treatment of healthcare waste. The consultation is linked to new guidance designed to help operators understand and meet their […]
NHS ‘care hotels’ spark hygiene and safety concerns
Recent pressures on NHS bed space secondary to high admission rates of COVID-19 patients have resulted in the establishment of several ‘care hotels’ intended to relieve pressure on bed space […]
Healthcare Environmental Services trial to begin soon
Garry Pettigrew, the former boss of a clinical waste company faces trial over the alleged illegal storage of human body parts and other materials. It is also alleged that he […]
Needlesmart Partnership aims to reduce 100,000 needlestick injuries to NHS employees
In a 2003 survey, it was reported that a staggering 94 per cent of practising surgeons in the UK have either been personally affected by a needlestick injury (NSI) or […]
Major fire at Indian clinical waste plant
A major fire broke out at IMAGE, the bio-medical waste management plant of Indian Medical Association Kerala, at Kanjikode on Sunday. The fire was detected at noon and fire force […]
Needle decap/recap, with a sting in the tail?
A new product from a Canadian company claims safely to facilitate decapping of hypodermic needles, if you really need a device to do that. Removing a needle cap is after […]
Protecting our environment
The last year or two have been noticeable for the clamour of voices protesting, in most cases not inappropriately, about the precarious state of the global environment. After protests and […]
Sharps injury hazard for pregnant farm workers
Women can do any job on the farm or ranch, but when they’re expecting a baby or planning to become pregnant, it’s wise to take additional safety measures or avoid […]
Investigation after shipping container with used medical waste left unlocked
Stepping Hill Hospital bosses are investigating after an outdoor shipping container filled with used medical waste was left unlocked in the hospital grounds. Images sent to the Manchester Evening News show […]
Uncollected clinical waste in Calderdale, or is it?
Uncollected clinical waste in Calderdale ‘causing health and safety issues’ The COVID-19 pandemic has affected waste services of all kinds, but health and safety issues arise if clinical waste is not […]
‘Appalling clinical waste’ dumped at South Belfast youth club
A local councillor has condemned the dumping of “clinical waste” outside of a popular youth club in South Belfast. On Sunday, a number of bags of rubbish which appeared to […]
Two hospital porters die of Covid-19 infection
The BBC report that a second hospital porter has sadly died from Covid-19 infection, the second Royal Stoke Hospital porter to die. Of course, this is terribly sad. Perhaps predictably […]
Stericycle settles with EPA on emissions accusation
Stericycle Inc. has reached a settlement with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean […]
Hundreds of discarded hypodermic needles reported across Dundee and Angus
Hundreds of used needles are being found by shocked locals in Dundee and Angus every year as drug-related anti-social behaviour leaves residents living in fear. Data shows around 95% of the […]
Another healthcare waste-related fatality
Injuries involving healthcare wastes are fortunately uncommon but when they do occur they can be disastrous. Sharos injury and infections top the list but here is one that is, I […]
Cleansing and PPE waste at a healthcare waste management facility: RPS C1
This COVID-19 regulatory position statement (RPS) applies to: waste from cleaning people or places infected, or potentially infected, with coronavirus (COVID-19) separately collected personal protective equipment (PPE) waste, for example […]
Defra issues advice to the waste sector because of coronavirus and their household waste
COVID-19 is a huge problem, and that includes a problem for those involved in waste management. In the last 2 days, Defra has issued advice to the waste sector and […]
PHE issues Coronavirus waste disposal advice
In light of the global coronavirus outbreak, Public Health England has issued advice to the public on how to deal with potentially infectious waste. Public Health England recommends all waste […]
Covid-19 coronavirus precautions?
The world is on alert because of the latest Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic that is spreading globally from its origins in Wuhan, China. The UK response has, it would appear, been […]
Cumbria Crack reports major sharps bin dumping
An investigation has been launched following the discovery of clinical waste dumped on a roadside near Kendal. A member of the public reported seeing a number of black bin bags that […]
HIV outbreak, Pakistan, tops 1,100 cases
Nearly 900 children under 12 are among 1112 cases of HIV infection now confirmed in an outbreak linked to a paediatrician in Ratodero, Pakistan, who reused syringes and IV drips. […]
Clinical waste and needles dumped along Humber
A concerned lady says she is disgusted after seeing the amount of waste dumped along the Humber, which included “used tattoo needles”. She took the shocking images (below), which show […]
Sharps injury risk in jails
Staff infected by dirty needles in drug-ridden jails have won £734,000 in payouts in last 3 years. The settlements, including legal costs, were made to as few as nine people, […]
Body parts remain in abandoned warehouse after a year
Healthcare Environmental Services in Longbenton, North Tyneside, built up stockpiles of body parts and other medical waste and was ordered to dispose of the stored material. It went into liquidation […]
New figures show drop in waste sector fatalities
Provisional figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show fatalities in the waste sector has dropped below the yearly average. There were seven fatalities in the waste and […]
Waste sector risks
Baling machines, shredders and the like present a significant risk of serious injury to workers in the waste sector. In Thailand, a worker using a baling machine to compress plastic […]
Waste exports to Sri Lanka?
It is claimed that human remains have been found in 100 containers of exported recycling sent from UK to Sri Lanka. The British government – the Environment Agency – has […]
Healthcare regulators seek clinical waste issues
As we have noted before on the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum, healthcare regulators the CQC and its Scottish equivalent frequently record issues with clinical and sharps waste handling, transport, and […]