Biomedical waste management: Health and safety practices and extent of its use by waste handling workers

Coronavirus, which was started provincially at Wuhan of China, has become a worldwide pandemic by affecting individuals of almost all the world. The developing pandemic of COVID-19 disease requires social distancing and individual cleanliness measures to secure general wellbeing. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, practice and awareness of biomedical waste management in this pandemic situation among healthcare workers and medical students across Tamil Nadu. A cross sectional questionnaire survey was prepared to evaluate the knowledge regarding waste management and waste handling techniques. The survey found that most of the hospitals (50%) are using plastic containers for waste collection. Almost 79.7% of the respondents said they follow colour coding while disposing waste. When asked about exact category only few gave correct answers. Nearly 72.8% answered that they collect the Covid patient’s wastes separately. As coronavirus is a contagious disease, each healthcare worker should be trained in safe handling of wastes. From this survey, it is clear that training about safe handling of waste is needed among workers. This survey will help government and healthcare providers to handle this Covid pandemic successfully and more effectively.

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Evaluation of health safety of direct biomedical waste handlers in a Government Medical College, Himachal Pradesh

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20182157 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 2352

Author(s):

Rashmi Kashyap ◽

Salig Ram Mazta

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Himachal Pradesh ◽

Health Concern ◽

Government Medical College ◽

Hospital Waste ◽

Biomedical Waste ◽

Health Safety ◽

Medical College

Background: Hospital waste management is a crucial environmental issue of public health concern due to hazardous and infectious character of the waste. Since the hospital staff is at risk of being infected by the hospital waste, therefore occupational health and safety should be recommended as a component of biomedical management plans with qualified personnel. Health safety of the waste handlers is an issue of prime concern.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in Government Medical College, Nahan, Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh to evaluate the health safety of direct waste handlers. The information regarding the biomedical waste management awareness, practices and health safety was recorded from direct waste handlers. Semistructured questionnaire was used for interview.Results: A total of 26 biomedical waste handlers were interviewed from August 31, 2017 to September 13, 2017. Gender composition showed 18 (69.2%) females and 8 (30.8%) males. Awareness regarding the risk associated with biomedical waste handling like exposure to infections like HIV, HBV, injury with sharp objects and Chemical burns etc. was present in 19 (73.0%) workers. Most 10 (38.4%) demanded the provision of personal protective equipments, training and vaccination.Conclusions: Regular orientation and training programs should be organized for biomedical waste handlers and strict implementation of biomedical waste management guidelines should be in practice. Risk to the health of direct waste handlers in the form of exposure to infectious diseases needs to be considered by timely provision of vaccination.

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Solid waste management practices and challenges in seven cities of Nepal before and during lockdown against COVID-19 pandemic

Nepal Journal of Environmental Science ◽

10.3126/njes.v9i1.36991 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 11-19

Author(s):

Bikash Adhikari ◽

Saroj Koirala ◽

Nitesh Khadka ◽

Nitesh Koirala

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Management Practices ◽

Solid Waste Management ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

The Government ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The nationwide lockdown imposed to control the spread of novel coronavirus induced dramatic alterations in different sectors of the Nepalese governance, including Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. The study identifies SW collection gaps in seven major cities of Nepal and highlights the municipal and public households on SW management practices before and during the lockdown to emphasize the linkage between COVID-19 and SWM. It includes information on solid waste status, collection frequency and coverage, workers' safety practices, types of vehicles operated for collection and alternative methods adopted by households to manage SW during the lockdown. For this, 1329 households survey and key informant interviews were conducted in seven cities of Nepal during the lockdown. It was found that although the coverage of the collection service was similar during the pandemic in surveyed households, there was a drastic decrease in the collection frequency leading to a collection gap of around 570 tons/day. More than 50% of the surveyed households adopted no proper alternative measures as they claimed that they stored solid waste with proper management so that municipal authorities can take it. While other 50% adopted practices such as open burning, throwing in streets or composting. The study reveals poor occupational health and safety practices among solid waste workers due to the unavailability of safety gear and equipment despite being aware of the modes of transmission of the virus. The pandemic exacerbated the challenges of smooth SWM as it is an essential and needy service. This study highlights the need for a timely strategic management framework to be developed by the government to continue the smooth SWM practices during the lockdown.

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Solid Waste Management Practices and Challenges in Seven Cities of Nepal Before and During Lockdown Against COVID-19 Pandemic

10.20944/preprints202009.0304.v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bikash Adhikari ◽

Saroj Koirala ◽

Nitesh Khadka ◽

Nitesh Koirala

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Management Practices ◽

Solid Waste Management ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

The Government ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The nationwide lockdown imposed to control the spread of novel coronavirus induced dramatic alterations in different sectors of the Nepalese governance, including Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. The study identifies SW collection gaps in seven major cities of Nepal and highlights the municipal and public households on SW management practices before and during the lockdown to emphasize the linkage between COVID-19 and SWM. It includes information on solid waste status, collection frequency and coverage, workers safety practices, types of vehicles operated for collection and alternative methods adopted by households to manage SW during the lockdown. For this, 1329 households survey and key informant interviews were conducted in seven cities of Nepal during the lockdown. It was found that although the coverage of the collection service was similar during the pandemic, there was a drastic decrease in the collection frequency leading to a collection gap of around 570 tons/day. More than 50% of the surveyed households adopted no proper alternative measures as they claimed that they stored solid waste with proper management so that municipal authorities can take it. The study reveals poor occupational health and safety practices among the solid waste workers due to the unavailability of safety gears and equipment despite being aware of the modes of transmission of the virus. The pandemic exacerbated the challenges of smooth SWM as it is an essential and needy service. This study highlights the need for a timely strategic management framework to be developed by the government to continue the smooth SWM practices during the lockdown.

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Global challenges for e-waste management: the societal implications

Reviews on Environmental Health ◽

10.1515/reveh-2015-0035 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Federico Magalini

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Policy Design ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Societal Implications ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Country Level ◽

Treatment Processes ◽

Ict Industry ◽

Waste Handling

AbstractOver the last decades the electronics industry and ICT Industry in particular has revolutionized the world: electrical and electronic products have become ubiquitous in today’s life around the planet. After use, those products are discarded, sometimes after re-use cycles in countries different from those where they were initially sold; becoming what is commonly called e-waste. Compared to other traditional waste streams, e-waste handling poses unique and complex challenges. e-Waste is usually regarded as a waste problem, which can cause environmental damage and severe human health consequences if not safely managed. e-Waste contains significant amounts of toxic and environmentally sensitive materials and is, thus, extremely hazardous to humans and the environment if not properly disposed of or recycled. On the other hand, e-waste is often seen as a potential source of income for individuals and entrepreneurs who aim to recover the valuable materials (metals in particular) contained in discarded equipment. Recently, for a growing number of people, in developing countries in particular, recycling and separation of e-waste has become their main source of income. In most cases, this is done informally, with no or hardly any health and safety standards, exposing workers and the surrounding neighborhoods to extensive health dangers as well as leading to substantial environmental pollution. Treatment processes of e-waste aim to remove the hazardous components and recover as much reusable material (e.g. metals, glass and plastics) as possible; achieving both objectives is most desired. The paper discuss societal implications of proper e-waste management and key elements to be considered in the policy design at country level.

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Feckless practices of bio medical waste management: a conundrum for developing countries

International Surgery Journal ◽

10.18203/2349-2902.isj20195976 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 235

Author(s):

Anand Yadav ◽

Rituja Kaushal

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Early Stage ◽

Surgical Care ◽

Health Care Facilities ◽

P Value ◽

First Year ◽

Knowledge Gain ◽

Biomedical Waste ◽

Medical Undergraduates ◽

Waste Handling

Background: Biomedical waste poses hazard due to two principal reasons: infectivity and toxicity. 75-90% of waste produced by health care facilities is generally non risky but remaining 10-25% is regarded as hazardous with the potential for creating a variety of health problems. Biomedical waste management is an integral part of infection control practices. Virtuoso biomedical waste handling leads to a better environment for medical as well as surgical care patients.Methods: It is a descriptive forward moving study conducted to empower first year MBBS students about biomedical waste management and handling skills to enhance their expertise for future as a competent physician or surgeon and to assess their knowledge gain.Results: Out of 150 students, 131 were present. 68 were males and 63 were females. Mean age was 21.33 with standard deviation of 3.745. Mean marks obtained were 3.09±1.15 (out of 5). ANOVA statistics revealed insignificant p value denoting unambiguous pattern of knowledge gain by all the participants.Conclusions: Empowering medical undergraduates with basic medical skills at an early stage will make them more efficient for future endeavors.

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Gap Assesment of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Practices and Challenges in Nine Densely Populated Cities of Nepal before and during Lockdown Due to COVID-19

10.20944/preprints202009.0304.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bikash Adhikari ◽

Saroj Koirala

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Management Practices ◽

Solid Waste Management ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

The Government ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The nationwide lockdown imposed to control the spread of novel coronavirus induced dramatic alterations in different sectors of the Nepalese governance including Solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. This study identifies SW collection gaps in nine major cities of Nepal, and highlights the municipal and public hearings on SW management practices before and during the lockdown with a view to emphasize the linkage between Covid-19 and SWM. It includes information on solid waste workers safety practices, collection coverage dynamics, types of vehicles operated for collection and alternative methods adopted by households to manage SW during the collection gaps. It was found that although the coverage of the collection service was similar during the pandemic, there was drastic decrease in the collection frequency leading to a collection gap of 560.58 tons/day and no proper measures were adopted in more than 50% of the households surveyed for SWM during the collection gap. The study reveals poor occupational health and safety practices among the solid waste workers due to unavailability of safety gears and equipment, in spite of being aware of the modes of transmission of the virus. The pandemic exacerbated the challenges of smooth SWM making its significance as an essential service more apparent. This highlights the need of a timely strategic emergency management framework to be developed by the government to continue the invaluable public service without any hindrance.

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