In having the responsibility for the disposal of most household and commercial waste generated throughout the country, safe waste disposal is an ongoing concern for Local Government.
In recent times, concerns about the potential for injury from needles and other medically contaminated waste have been raised. Wingecaribee Shire in New South Wales has addressed the problem with a comprehensive policy covering the disposal and transport of all kinds of waste which has been contaminated by human body fluids.
Under the new policy, all contaminated materials must be disposed of in non PVC containers, impervious to penetration by sharp instruments. Three sites are now available for people in the Shire to dispose of such material. They include the Mittagong Library, the Bowral Community Health Centre and the Moss Vale Civic Centre.
With 70 commercial generators of clinical waste and possibly 2,000 insulin dependent diabetics in the Shire, the new disposal sites are expected to be well utilised.
According to Mayor Jim Tuddenham, the previous system had been fairly ‘ad hoc’ with no formalised system in place or real regulation. Now commercial generators must enter into an agreement with an approved transporter and register their premises with Council. Council intends to inspect commercial premises annually.
It is expected that the new policy will significantly reduce the risk of injuries to workers handling this waste and will be an adjunct to the Shire’s successful needle exchange program. Reduction in potential litigation and compensation payments also makes the scheme economically prudent.
For further information contact Miles Lochhead, telephone (048) 68 0711.
