Workers Need More Training to Better Handle Waste, Finds NWRA Study

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): This week, the American Journal of Infection Control published a paper coauthored by National Waste and Recycling Association’s (NWRA) Vice-President for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Anne Germain entitled “A Pilot Survery of the US Medical Waste Industry to Determine Training Needs for Safely Handling Highly Infectious Waste.” She was joined by Hal Miller and Richard Thompson, members of NWRA’s Healthcare Waste Institute (HWI) as well its chair, Selin Hoboy.

Following the 2014-2016 outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), only a small number of facilities were willing to accept EVD waste. The study determined that complex regulations often left workers and facilities unprepared to handle EVD and other highly infectious waste. The paper provides the results of the study conducted by lead author Aurora Le from the Biosafety and Infectious Disease Training Initiative from the Indiana University School of Public Health. 

“This was a collaborative effort that yielded important results. Based on our study it is evident that workers who handle highly infectious medical waste should receive additional training and facilities should review their permits to determine if they can accept highly infectious waste. NWRA and the Healthcare Waste Institute look forward to working with our members and stakeholders on the issues identified in the study,” said Anne Germain.

Courtesy: https://wasteadvantagemag.com