The Costs of Incorrect Medical Waste Disposal
5/30/2019
Poor medical waste disposal poses both a risk to employees and also causes both environmental and public health issues. State governments determine how correct medical waste disposal procedures will be enforced. So far in the U.S., twenty-nine states have chosen to allow OSHA to enforce the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.The other states have created local departments to enforce the issue. It’s vital that medical facilities read any local laws that apply too in order to remain compliant and avoid harm.
Depending on the case, the cost of violating medical waste disposal laws can be between $5,000 to $70,000 just under OSHA regulations. This excludes fines from separate agencies.
As an example, here’s a case where twelve University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals were found guilty of poor medical waste disposal practices. The violations were first discovered when residents near a landfill saw red packets of untreated medical waste in the landfill. They notified the authorities and a two-year investigation was launched. The UPMC was fined $451,000. The hospital was told to check and upgrade its medical waste policies and to provide employees with updated training in the correct procedures.
The hospital subsequently took out a contract with a medical waste disposal company to make sure it remained compliant.
Depending on the case, the cost of violating medical waste disposal laws can be between $5,000 to $70,000 just under OSHA regulations. This excludes fines from separate agencies.
As an example, here’s a case where twelve University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals were found guilty of poor medical waste disposal practices. The violations were first discovered when residents near a landfill saw red packets of untreated medical waste in the landfill. They notified the authorities and a two-year investigation was launched. The UPMC was fined $451,000. The hospital was told to check and upgrade its medical waste policies and to provide employees with updated training in the correct procedures.
The hospital subsequently took out a contract with a medical waste disposal company to make sure it remained compliant.