Heathcare Waste Removal

Several government agencies may inspect how your organization handles medical waste. In Michigan, this may include EGLE, your local health department, and MIOSHA. The Michigan State Police may also review how waste is packaged and prepared for transportation, while federal DOT or PHMSA inspectors may examine shipping documents, employee training, and transportation procedures. Because multiple agencies regulate different parts of the process, your facility should be prepared to show that its medical waste is properly stored, packaged, documented, and shipped.

Employees who handle, package, store, transport, or otherwise manage medical waste should receive training on the procedures outlined in the facility’s Medical Waste Management Plan, and Michigan EGLE requires medical waste-producing facilities to keep records showing that applicable employees have been trained. Bloodborne pathogens training is a separate OSHA requirement: employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials must be trained when first assigned to those duties and at least annually afterward. Additional training may also be required when job duties or procedures change. Training records should be kept organized and available for inspection.