Page 77 - 2020 ARE eGuide for Clinical at Nonhospital Sites
P. 77
Biomedical Waste
Definition:
Biomedical waste (BMW) is any solid or liquid waste that may represent a threat or
infection to humans.
This includes non-liquid tissue, body parts, blood, blood products, body fluids from humans and other
primates, and laboratory wastes that contain human disease causing agents and discarded sharps.
• All biomedical waste shall be discarded at the point of origin.
• Handle all BMW as potentially infectious using standard precautions.
Non-sharp biomedical waste items are discarded in red
plastic bags and/or bins marked with the biohazard
symbol on the outside.
Please refer to your site specific instructions for any
additional labeling of bags and cardboard boxes.
Disposable needles, scalpels and other sharp items are discarded in
puncture resistant containers.
Broken glassware that may be contaminated is not to be picked up
directly with the hands. It shall be cleaned up using mechanical means
such as a brush and dustpan, tongs or forceps.
