Biomedical Waste Management
For B.Sc. Nursing – 3rd Semester
A. SHORT NOTES
1. Definition
Biomedical waste (BMW) refers to any waste generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of
humans or animals, or in research related to such activities, including production or testing of biologicals.
2. Biomedical Waste Management Process (Step-by-Step)
1. Segregation – Waste is separated at the point of generation.
2. Collection – Proper collection in color-coded bins as per category.
3. Storage – Temporary storage under safe, covered conditions.
4. Transportation – Inside the hospital (internal) and to treatment facilities (external).
5. Treatment – According to waste category (incineration, autoclaving, shredding, etc.).
6. Disposal – Final disposal in sanitary landfills, burial pits, or incinerator ash pits.
7. Documentation – Maintenance of waste tracking logs and forms.
3. Prevention and Control Measures
1. Strict adherence to color-coded segregation.
2. Use of PPE by all staff handling waste.
3. Immunization (e.g., Hepatitis B, Tetanus) for biomedical waste handlers.
4. Regular disinfection of bins and collection trolleys.
5. Display of charts for waste categories in all departments.
6. Regular staff training and audits.
7. Minimization of waste at source (especially sharp objects).
4. Staff Precautions
1. Wear PPE: gloves, masks, aprons, eye protection.
2. Avoid needle recapping; dispose in puncture-proof containers.
3. Maintain hand hygiene before and after handling.
4. Avoid direct contact with waste; use tongs or forceps.
5. Receive immunizations regularly.
6. Report and manage exposure or injuries immediately.
7. Participate in training on BMW protocols.
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5. Laundry and Linen Management in BMW
1. Use separate trolleys for soiled linen.
2. Pre-treat heavily soiled linen (e.g., with 1% hypochlorite).
3. Handle with gloves and mask.
4. Wash at high temperature (at least 70–80°C).
5. Do not mix hospital linen with personal clothes.
6. Dry completely before re-use or storage.
7. Disinfect washing area regularly.
6. National Guidelines for BMW Management (India)
1. Governed under BMW Management Rules, 2016 (Amended in 2018, 2019).
2. Issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
3. Compliance is mandatory for all healthcare facilities.
4. Emphasizes segregation, barcoding, and record maintenance.
5. Requires pre-treatment of lab waste, blood bags, etc.
6. Categorization into 4 main categories (Yellow, Red, White, Blue).
7. Rules apply to both public and private hospitals, veterinary institutions, and blood banks.
7. Ordinance and Legal Framework
1. Environment Protection Act, 1986 – Empowered to frame BMW Rules.
2. BMW Management Rules, 2016 – Main legal document.
3. Mandatory reporting of waste generation and disposal.
4. Authorized Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facilities (CBWTFs).
5. Legal penalties for non-compliance: fines, license cancellation, or jail.
B. COLOR-CODED BIN SYSTEM – MASTER TABLE
Container Treatment Do Not Handling Frequ
Color Bin Waste Type Examples
Type Method Include Precautions of Rem
Human and Body parts,
Cytotoxic Use gloves
animal placentas, Non- Incineration Daily o
drugs, and mask,
Yellow anatomical dressings, chlorinated or plasma when
radioactive avoid
waste, soiled blood-soaked plastic bag pyrolysis full
waste tearing bags
waste items
2
Container Treatment Do Not Handling Frequ
Color Bin Waste Type Examples
Type Method Include Precautions of Rem
IV tubes,
catheters, Autoclaving/ Do not
Contaminated Autoclavable Anatomical
gloves, microwaving puncture
Red recyclable container or waste, Daily
syringes followed by bag, use
waste bag glass
(without shredding tongs
needle)
Puncture-
Do not
proof, leak- Autoclaving/ Gloves,
Needles, recap Daily o
White Sharps (used proof, dry heat body
scalpels, needles, immed
(Translucent) or broken) tamper- followed by waste,
blades never open after f
proof shredding medication
container
container
Broken glass,
ampoules Avoid
Cardboard
Glassware and (non- Disinfection Sharps, breakage,
boxes with When
Blue metallic body contaminated), followed by soiled use
blue full
implants syringes recycling plastic container
marking
without liners
needles
Black (if General non- Food waste, Biomedical/ No need for
Plastic or Municipal
used in your hazardous paper, infectious PPE unless As nee
bin liner disposal
region) waste packaging waste soiled
Canteen
Biodegradable
Green (some waste, Green Composting
waste (if Biomedical Keep dry,
states/ vegetable plastic or bio-gas Daily
segregated waste clean lid
hospitals) peels, plant container generation
separately)
remains
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