Doing it incorrectly could cost you

If you’re a hospital administrator, physician’s office manager, treatment center or clinic administrator or part of any facility that generates hazardous medical waste, this guide to labeling hazardous waste is essential for you. Take a look:

Proper labels are critical

Following proper protocol when labeling hazardous waste is crucial, if you are negligent you run the risk of incurring costly fines and putting those who come in contact with the waste in danger. Packaging and labels of waste serve an important purpose: to alert people in a clear and understandable manner that the contents are dangerous. So it makes sense that if hazardous medical waste is not labeled or if the label is marked incorrectly or incompletely, those who come in contact with it have no way of knowing what’s inside.

What’s required when storing and labeling hazardous waste?

There are state and federal regulations that lay out the requirements for hazardous waste and every generator must not only be aware of and understand these mandates but also follow them to ensure they do not endanger people, animals or the environment as well as to avoid any fines and penalties. These requirements include:

• Drums filled with hazardous materials must have the yellow hazardous waste label
• The label must have the words hazardous waste clearly marked on it
• The label should have your generator information
• Any relevant EPA Hazardous Waste code must be on the label
• The correct DOT shipping name must appear on the label
• The label must have the accumulation start date

What if we reuse a hazardous waste container?

If you have waste containers that you reuse, you can use a recurring use label.

Simply revise the initial accumulation date and leave the other information on the label. If your workers empty a container at least once per day, you can use the word daily in the date area of the label.

Work with a professional waste disposal company to ensure compliance

Hazardous waste mandates are designed to protect you and your staff as well as the community at large. Following the requirements is key, but does not have to be complicated or difficult. Partnering with a reputable medical waste disposal company can help you stay compliant and ensure that you are following all the cradle to grave requirements set forth by state and federal agencies.

All Points Medical Waste is a family-owned and operated company located in Stuart, Florida. We provide medical waste disposal to hazardous waste generators of all kinds, including hospitals, treatment and surgical centers, clinics and more. Give us a call today to learn more or fill out this form.