What are biohazardous wastes?

Biohazardous wastes are defined as wastes that are potentially infectious or pose a significant risk to health. This includes items that may contain pathogens, such as blood, bodily fluids, medical supplies, or laboratory cultures. The hazardous nature of these materials requires special handling, storage, transport, and disposal methods to prevent infection and ensure public safety.

Understanding what constitutes biohazardous waste is crucial for sanitation workers, as improper management of such materials can lead to serious health risks, environmental contamination, and potential legal consequences. It is essential for sanitation workers to recognize the characteristics of biohazardous waste to ensure compliance with health regulations and to practice safe waste management protocols. Proper education and training in handling these types of materials are vital to maintaining safety in healthcare and other settings that generate such waste.